Why Mary Anne Creed Was Recast in the Creed Series

The Legacy of the Rocky Franchise in Creed

The Creed series has been hailed as a worthy successor to the Rocky franchise, capturing the essence of the original films while telling a brand-new story. Michael B. Jordan stars as Donnie, the son of champion Apollo Creed, as he strives to live up to his father's legendary name. Creed and its sequels have been acclaimed for honoring the legacy of the existing films, but one major character from the Rocky movies was recast in the Creed series.

Mary Anne comforts Donnie in Creed

The Creed movies have brought back many familiar faces from the Rocky franchise, with Sylvester Stallone receiving an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Rocky Balboa in the first Creed movie. Creed II also saw Dolph Lundgren reprise his role as Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, and even Carl Weathers appeared in the Creed series as the late Apollo Creed via archival footage. However, there's one significant cast member from the Rocky movies who was replaced in the Creed series.

Mary Anne looking shocked in Rocky IV

Recasting of Mary Anne Creed

Mary Anne Creed, the widow of Apollo Creed, played a crucial role in raising Donnie as her own son following the death of his biological mother. The character was originally portrayed by Sylvia Meals in Rocky II and Rocky IV. However, after Meals passed away in 2011, the role of Mary Anne had to be recast for the Creed series. Phylicia Rashad took on the role in the Creed movies and delivered a remarkable performance, developing a tangible on-screen mother-son dynamic with Michael B. Jordan's character.

The recasting of Mary Anne Creed wasn't the first time this had happened in the franchise. The role was initially played by Lavelle Roby in the first Rocky movie and later replaced by Meals when the character of Mary Anne was given a larger role in the sequels. It's worth noting that Roby is still working, and it would have been interesting if the Creed series had brought her back to the role, honoring her history with the character.

Impact and Legacy of the New Portrayal

Phylicia Rashad's portrayal of Mary Anne Creed in the Creed series has left a lasting impact on the audience. She became a beloved character, with her on-screen mother-son dynamic with Michael B. Jordan resonating deeply with viewers. Mary Anne's pivotal role as Donnie's confidant and source of guidance added depth to the character dynamics in the series. Rashad's performance was so impactful that her character's death in Creed III had a profound effect on the audience, mirroring the impact it had on Donnie himself.

Rashad's portrayal of Mary Anne Creed not only honored the character's legacy but also brought a new dimension to the role, showcasing a strong and nurturing maternal figure in Donnie's life. Her performance highlighted the importance of the character and solidified her place in the Creed series. The impact of Rashad's portrayal and the significance of the character of Mary Anne Creed have resonated deeply with fans, adding a new layer of emotional depth to the Creed franchise.