Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers in ‘Rocky.'.Photo:United Artists/Courtesy of Getty
United Artists/Courtesy of Getty
Carl Weathersused unconventional methods to secure hisRockyrole.
Recalling the audition toThe Hollywood Reporterin 2015, Weathers said, “There was nobody to read with, and they said you’re going to read with the writer [Sylvester Stallone].”
Carl Weathers in ‘Rocky II.'.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Completely unaware that Stallone, 77, was set to star as the titular boxer, Rocky Balboa, theMandalorianactor made a snap decision after the pair completed the audition for the 1976 film.
“We read through the scene and at the end of it, I didn’t feel like it had really sailed, that the scene had sailed, and they were quiet and there was this moment of awkwardness, I felt, anyway,” Weathers toldTHR. “So I just blurted out, ‘I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with.’ ”
“So I just insulted the star of the movie without really knowing it and not intending to,” he added.
Thankfully, theRockywriter and star was pleased with the insult, because he felt it was something Apollo would actually say.
“Sometimes the mistakes are the ones that get you the gig,” Weathers noted.
Carl Weathers.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Weathers’ family announced the actor and former NFL linebacker’s death in a statement on Friday, sharing that he “died peacefully in his sleep,”DeadlineandVarietyreported.
In anInstagram video, Stallone, who stood in front of a painting of Rocky fighting Apollo, said he “never could have accomplished what we did withRockywithout” Weathers.
“He was absolutely brilliant. His voice, his size, his power, his athletic ability, but more importantly, his heart, his soul. It’s a horrible loss,” Stallone said. “He was magic, and I was so fortunate to be part of his life.”
Alongside the video, the actor wrote, “We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching [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 onscreen father.
The actor, 36, shared a photo of Weathers with the caption: “We lost a Legend.”
source: people.com
