How Carl Weathers Got His Rocky Role by Insulting Sylvester Stallone's Acting During the Audition

“Sometimes it’s the mistakes that get you the performance,” the late actor said after the release of ‘Creed’ in 2015.

Carl Weathers used unconventional methods to secure his Rocky the role.

After release Creedseventh film in the boxing franchise, Weathers — who died Thursday at age 76 — reflected on his time as Apollo Creed, specifically describing how he got into the character.

Recalling the audition for The Hollywood Reporter In 2015, Weathers said, “There was no one to read with, and they said you’re going to read with a writer [Sylvester Stallone].”

Carl Weathers in ‘Rocky II’.

Michael Ochs/Getty Archive

Mariska Hargitay, Snoop Dogg, Octavia Spencer and more pay tribute to Carl Weathers after his death at 76

Completely unaware that Stallone, 77, was set to play the titular boxer, Rocky Balboa, The Mandalorian the actor made a snap decision after the couple finished auditioning for the 1976 film.

“We read the scene and at the end, I didn’t feel like he really sailed, that the scene sailed and they were quiet and there was a moment of awkwardness, I felt it anyway,” Weathers said. THR. “So I just blurted out, ‘I could be a lot better if you could find me the right actor to work with.’ ”

“So I just insulted the star of the movie without knowing it and not intending to,” he added.

Pedro Pascal remembers his own The Mandalorian Costar Carl Weathers: ‘Words Fail’

Fortunately, Rocky the writer and star was pleased with the insult, as he felt it was something Apollo would actually say.

“Sometimes it’s the mistakes that get you the gig,” Weathers noted.

Carl Weathers.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

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Weathers’ family announced the death of the actor and former NFL linebacker in a statement Friday, sharing that he “died peacefully in his sleep,” Deadline and Diversity reported.

After his death, Weathers’ Rocky Actors shared tributes to the deceased star on social networks.

In an Instagram video, Stallone, who stood in front of a picture of Rocky fighting Apollo, said he “could never have accomplished what we did with Rocky without” Weathers.

Arnold Schwarzenegger remembers Carl Weathers: ‘We couldn’t have made Predator without him’

“He was absolutely brilliant. His voice, his size, his power, his athleticism, but more importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a terrible loss,” Stallone said. “He was magical and I was so happy to be a part of his life.”

Along with the video, the actor wrote: “Yesterday we lost a legend. My life changed forever for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest and keep hitting [sic].”

Also on Instagram, Michael B. Jordan, who plays Apollo’s son Adonis “Donnie” Creed in the franchise, posted a tribute to the man who portrayed his on-screen father.

The actor, 36, shared a photo of Weathers with the caption: “We’ve lost a legend.”

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Source: HIS Education