Sylvester Stallone almost boycotted Oscars over ‘Creed’ director and co-star Michael B. Jordan snubs

Stallone is nominated for Best Supporting Actor at 2016 event

Sylvester Stallone has said that he considered boycotting the Oscars in protest at the lack of nominations for the African American cast and crew of Creed.

Will Smith is among the actors who have decided to boycott the 2016 Academy Awards, saying that he wants to be “part of the solution” to the film industry’s diversity problem.

Stallone is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, a sequel to his classic Rockytitles. He stars alongside Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed and the film was directed by Ryan Coogler.

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Speaking to reporters at a gathering for nominees on Monday (February 8), Stallone said that he considered boycotting the event in solidarity with the other high-profile Hollywood figures making a stand in the #OscarsSoWhite diversity row.

“I remember I spoke with Ryan Coogler when this happened. I said, ‘Ryan, how do you want to handle this? Because I really believe you are responsible for me being here,'” Stallone revealed. “I said, ‘If you want me to go, I’ll go. If you don’t, I won’t,'” Stallone shared. “He said, ‘No, I want you to go.’ That’s the kind of guy he is. He wants us to go and represent the film.”

Stallone also gave credit to his co-star and said he is hopeful that the diversity situation in Hollywood will change sooner rather than later. “Michael Jordan, every time I looked in his eyes as an actor, I said, he was making me better. I think he should’ve been given a lot more respect and attention,” Stallone said.

“Eventually all talent will rise to the top. It’s just a matter of, I guess, a new paradigm and a new way of thinking.”

Director Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife, have also announced that they will be boycotting the Oscars ceremony, which takes place in LA on February 28 and is hosted by Chris Rock.

Oscars 2016: Full list of nominations for 88th Academy Awards

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