Rocky V
Rocky Vfeatured an infamous continuity error regardingRobert " Rocky Jr. " Balboa ’s age , but there is a possibility that suggests it could be explicate through the result ofRocky IV . BeforeRocky Balboa , Creed , andCreed IIarrived more than a decennary later , 1990’sRocky Vwas viewed as the terminal pic in the enfranchisement . The subsequence fittingly examine Rocky come full circle back to his theme in Philadelphia alongside his family as well as his cryptically aged son . To make sentience of this change in - universe , one needs to look at the political hitch of the Soviet Union in the premature installment .
Rocky IVsaw Sylvester Stallone ’s Rocky Balboa take on Russia ’s Ivan Drago ( Dolph Lundgren ) in a highly politicise fight to avenge thedeath of his acquaintance , Apollo Creed ( Carl Weathers ) . The Soviets were invariably harassing and stalking Rocky throughout his breeding , and the fight was weaponized in the conflict between America and Russia in the Cold War . However , after an epic fight , Rocky seemingly earn the country ’s respect and was applaud . His nine - twelvemonth - older son , Robert ( then played by child histrion Rocky Krakoff ) , was back home watching the match from Rocky ’s luxurious mansion . However , when Rocky give back to America inRocky V , Robert was 14 and play by Stallone ’s real - life Word , Sage .
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The government issue of Robert Balboa ’s age had witness ofRocky Vscratching their head , especially as the movie is seemingly set directly after the effect ofRocky IV , but one hypothesis suggest the two sequel were not as close linked in fourth dimension as they seemed . As revealed by an old , bitterIvan Drago inCreed II , he was deliver for his embarrassing loss against Rocky , leading him to train his son , Victor , to fight Adonis Creed to find the family ’s honor . concord to the hypothesis , the cruel handling of the Drago family and Robert ’s massive long time leap hint that something sinister happened to the Balboa fellowship in Russia betweenRocky IVandRocky V.
Rocky Balboa Was Hindered By Russian Politics For Five Years – Theory Explained
According to the hypothesis , Robert Balboa went from being nine inRocky IVto 14 inRocky Vbecause the Balboa phratry was detained in the Soviet Union after publicly humiliating the country . Though publicly Rocky seemed to have won the respect of the country and its leaders , his victory over therobot - alike Ivan Dragosaw him unable to generate to America for immigration reasons . While this would likely not have been a prison prison term , it still would intend Rocky , Adrian ( Talia Shire ) , Paulie ( Burt Young ) , and Duke ( Tony Burton ) were stand by in Russia for five years , trying to get through the red tape of catch back to the U.S.
Rocky , Adrian , and Paulie being adhere in the Soviet Union for all those twelvemonth would explain why Robert had aged so much inRocky V. With his whole family ineffective to return due to them being embarrass by the resentful government activity , Robert would have had to rise up alone , presumptively taken care of by a personal stave yield for by his loaded boxer father . carry in intellect how the countrytragically do by its own boxer , Ivan Drago , it would make sense that they would do anything to take retaliation on Rocky , without rocking the political sauceboat too much . Just as they dog him during his training , this theory suggests that Rocky ’s superlative antagonist was not Apollo , Drago , or even Clubber Lang , but outside politics .
Rocky V’s Money Plot Point And Robert Balboa’s Age Jump Are Related
Rocky Vbrought Rocky Balboa back to Philadelphia and into poverty through a gawky secret plan point involving Paulie mismanaging the Balboa family ’s money . The possibility explaining Robert ’s age also suggests that while Paulie may have indeed let their accountant blow what remained of their wealth , Rocky actually had his money drain through the monetary value of deliver to stay in the Soviet Union for five age afterdefeating Ivan Drago inRocky IV . The crime syndicate had to apply all of their money to open accommodations while also paying for Robert ’s expenses in America , leaving the Balboas destitute by the prison term ofRocky V.
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Of naturally , none of this was ever cite inRocky volt , take a shit the theory seem tenuous . While it would sure as shooting be possible that the Balboa family was held up by an maddened Soviet government activity , there was no reference to an extended stay in Russia when Rocky reunite with his boy , Robert . That is not to say it could n’t have come about . rough and Adrian were vastly proud of to see Robert , possibly because the brace , along with Paulie and Duke , had been held upafter the case ofRocky IVfor longer than it seemed .
The Real Reason Robert Balboa Went From 9 To 14 In Rocky V
While this fun theory apologize why Rocky Jr. see so much older inRocky V , there is a much simpler explanation outside of the movie ’s universe . Rocky Vsought to focus more on lineament after the sensational news report ofRocky IIIandRocky IV , and Rocky ’s relationship with Tommy Gunn and Robert was one of the sequel ’s big plot points . Where Robert had been a very modest character inRocky IV , the playscript forRocky Vpromoted him to a lead role , with a adolescent position , a shin relationship with his sire , and difficulties adjust to living in Philadelphia . The untested actor who portrayed him inRocky IVwas , therefore , recast with an honest-to-goodness boy to make Robert seem more grown up .
Robert was portrayed by Sylvester Stallone ’s real - life boy , Sage Stallone , in therewrittenRocky Phoebe , offering another reason why he was so much previous inRocky V. As the movie was all about the father - boy relationship between Rocky and Robert , it seemed only natural to wander Stallone ’s actual boy as Rocky Jr. , despite the continuity mistake it introduce afterRocky IV . finally , the film ’s theme was deemed more important than a slight plot hollow , and the genuine chemistry between Rocky and his boy essay it was the right call . While the possibility connectingRocky IVandRocky Vto explicate Robert ’s eld through the Soviet plot has deservingness , it was ultimately outside casting decisions that get word Rocky Jr. portrayed by an older actor .
