Carl Weathers wasn’t the first choice for Apollo Creed

Did you know Carl Weathers wasn't the first choice for Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" movies? One of the greatest heavyweights of all time was first cast in the role.

We learned over the weekend that Carl Weathers passed away at the age of 76 - star of "Rocky" and "Predator" and of course "Happy Gilmore" (how do you not love Chubbs?).

For me it was all about Apollo Creed. I remember being a kid going to the theater to see Rocky for the first time and watching Carl Weathers as the Muhammad Ali of the film - flashy, brash and so smooth with a wicked jab. But he wasn't their first choice.

Ken Norton was one of the best heavyweights of the 1970s - fought Ali three times, broke his jaw once and beat him (so boxing fans will argue he could've been given the decision in all three fights). So why are we bringing up Ken Norton? Because he was originally cast in the role of "Apollo Creed".

We still don't know whey he turned down the role - but it meant the producers had to scramble to fill the role...and a young actor named Carl Weathers (who had played eight games for the Raiders and been in a couple of films, but nothing major) read for the role. I love this story he shared on the Rich Eisen show about the read and not realizing he was doing the audition with the star of the movie - they had introduced Stallone as the guy who wrote it (which is true)

So there you go: Carl Weathers wasn't the first choice for Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" movies.

It's always interesting to look at the behind the scenes dynamic of the "Rocky" movies. Could it have worked without Carl Weathers as Apollo? Maybe. But you needed that Ali type to push the story forward.

For my money his best acting in the series was "Rocky 2" - the angst over the decision and hate mail, his frustration and baiting Rocky to fight him again to prove a point.

Anyone who watches boxing has seen this play out - a great fighter who won't let go after a loss. There was NO WAY Apollo Creed was going to go out like that. Carl Weathers was amazing.

Twenty years from now - we'll still be watching the Rocky movies. And thank god we lived in a time where we got to enjoy Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed.