TheCreedmovies are filled with Easter eggs and hidden callbacks to theRockyfranchise, with Sylvester Stallone adding a few of his own sentimental touches. Michael B. Jordan’sCreedmovies have breathed new life intotheRockyfranchise, but they still pay homage to what made the originals so great.
Adonis Creed is directly linked to the originalRockymovies through his father, so there are a lot of references to Apollo Creed’s history with Rocky sprinkled throughout the threeCreedmovies so far. Although these movies can be enjoyed without watchingRockybeforehand, the background context adds another layer to the drama.
As much asCreedfocuses on Jordan’s character and his complex emotional relationship with his father, these movies also show new sides to Rocky Balboa. Stallone takes on a different role, no longer the hard-hitting action hero, but he’s just as compelling as an older Rocky. The former champion may have a supporting role, but there are plenty of fascinating details to develop his character.
Creed II Uses The Same Exact Turtles That Rocky Balboa Owns In The 1976 Movie
Cuff And Link Made A Return After 42 Years
Creed IIshows that Rocky Balboa still has his turtles, named Cuff and Link, that were first seen in 1976’sRocky.These turtles are also seen swimming around in the background in 2015’sCreed,but the sequel takes things one step further by using the exact same turtles, rather than recasting their roles, so to speak.
Sylvester Stallone took the turtles home from the set ofRocky,and he still has them all these decades later. This explains how he could have gotten Cuff and Link back into the franchise without too much trouble. Turtles generally have long lifespans, and Cuff and Link look like red-eared slider turtles, which have been known to live 50 or more years in captivity.
AlthoughCreed IIdoesn’t draw much attention to Rocky’s turtles, fans of the original movie might have picked up on the Easter egg. It’s less likely that they would know the behind-the-scenes story, which serendipitously highlights an important element of Rocky’s character.
Cuff And Link Reveal Rocky’s Sentimental Side
The Pets Provide A Link To Rocky’s Past
Cuff and Link’s presence in theCreedmovies is a nice touch, because it reveals that Rocky has still cared for the turtles after decades.His love for his pets is one of his most endearing qualities inRocky,and this doesn’t change even after a roller coaster boxing career.
It’s worth remembering that Adrian worked in the pet shop Rocky would frequent to buy turtle food.
Cuff and Link also act as tokens of Rocky’s past. After losing Adrian, Apollo, Mickey and Paulie, his turtles are one of the only things that can remind him of a certain period in his life. It’s also worth remembering that Adrian worked in the pet shop Rocky would frequent to buy turtle food, so Cuff and Link may remind him of her, even inCreed IIafter so many years have passed.
