An Italian Stallion, an American Hero: (De)Constructing the Italian American Father in the Blockbuster Age of Hollywood

Abstract This article examines the evolving representation of fatherhood and ethnic identity in the Rocky and Creed film series, focusing on the transformation of Rocky Balboa from an emblematic Italian American hero to a mentor navigating shifting cultural and racial dynamics. Through an analysis of Rocky V (1990), Rocky Balboa (2006), Creed (2015), and Creed II (2018), the study explores how the franchise reconfigures traditional notions of Italian American masculinity and fatherhood. By tracing Rocky's relationships with his son, Robert, and his protégé-turned-son, Adonis Creed, this article considers the films’ engagement with broader discourses on race, assimilation, and mentorship, with the Creed films foregrounding Black American identity, challenging the racialized constructions of fatherhood in Hollywood. Finally, the study argues that the franchise reflects the acculturation of Italian American identity into hegemonic whiteness, negotiating the intersection of race, masculinity, and familial legacy in contemporary cinema.