The Italian stallion himself had some harsh words for Irwin Winkler, as Sylvester Stallone took to Instagram to slam the longtime Rocky producer after a Drago spin-off film was announced.

Following the much-needed revitalization of the Drago family in Creed 2, where Ivan Drago was seen training his son, Viktor, against Apollo Creed's son, Adonis, for the epic match with legacies on the line, talks of a Drago spin-off following Viktor's future endeavors began to brew. It wasn't until last week when MGM confirmed a Drago spin-off film with Robert Lawton attached to pen the script was indeed in the works.

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While a spin-off film may sound like a great idea to many, as it continues to expand such a beloved franchise in new and exciting directions, the confirmed project, unfortunately, didn't land for everyone. Stallone, who shared on Instagram in a post that has now been taken down, was very vocal about his displeasure after the spin-off was announced, taking shots at Winkler and his two sons.

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“Heartbreaker… Just found this out… ONCE AGAIN, IRWIN WINKLER, this PATHETIC 94 year old PRODUCER and HIS MORONIC VULTURE CHILDREN, Charles And David, are once again picking clean THE BONES of another wonderful character I created without even telling me,” Stallone said in his caption. “I APOLOGIZE to the FANS, I never wanted ROCKY characters to be exploited by these parasites… By the way, I once had nothing but respect for Dolph but he NEVER told me about what was going on behind my back with the character I created for him !!! REAL FRIENDS Are more precious than gold.”

While Stallone created the character and wrote the screenplay for the original Rocky back in 1975, he does not own the rights to the character. But being attached to the franchise and the character for many years (especially being the one who created him in the first place), it feels out of place that Winkler did not include Stallone in any discussions about a potential spin-off film. “WINKLER And FAMILY SUCK ROCKY DRY!” Stallone added in a separate post, depicting Winkler as a vampire draining blood from Rocky Balboa. “Presumed to be the most hated, untalented, decrepited [sic], producer in Hollywood and his cowardly children have found their next meal… Drago? Throughout history so many artists in every industry, recording, painting, writing, you name it have been destroyed by these blood suckers who have destroyed so many families, lining their pockets with other people work. #parasite producers #exploited artists victims.”

Lundgren would then take to social media as well, addressing Stallone's comments and how the spin-off is not a done deal just yet. “Just to set the record straight regarding a possible Drago spinoff,” said Lundgren. “There’s no approved script, no deals in place, no director and I was personally under the impression that my friend Sly Stallone was involved as a producer or even as an actor. There was a press leak last week which was unfortunate. In touch with Mr Balboa - just so all the fans can relax…There ya go."

Until more details surrounding the spin-off surface online, the focus has been on Creed 3, which is now slated for a March 3, 2023, release. Having a fresh voice leading the way with Michael B. Jordan in his directorial debut, the film looks to build on the success of its two predecessors, as the spin-off/sequel films to the Rocky franchise have been worthy continuations with Jordan in the lead role. The boxing drama will see Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad reprise their roles as Bianca Taylor and Mary Anne Creed as well as rising star Jonathan Majors take on the main antagonist role. Ryan Coogler and his brother Keenan worked on the story and screenplay.

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