Oscars 2016: Sylvester Stallone offered to boycott awards show, Creed director Ryan Coogler told him not to

The nominated actor felt Coogler was "responsible" for his nomination

Creed's director Ryan Coogler and stars Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan (Getty)

Sylvester Stallone may have deservedly been Oscar-nominated for his role in Creed but many would highlight the omittance of the film's star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler as a chief reason behind the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, highlighting a lack of diversity within this year's nominations.

Naturally, Stallone agreed and The Wrap reports how the actor asked the film's director for advice on what he should do.

"I remember I spoke with Ryan Coogler when this happened and I said, 'How do you want to handle this? Because I feel like you are responsible for me being here."

Talking ahead of the luncheon attended by this year's nominees, Stallone continued: "I said, 'If you don't want me to go, I won't.' He said, 'I want you to go.' That's the kind of guy he is; he wanted me to stand up for the film."

Creed earned the actor a Best Supporting Actor nod for his role as the beloved Rocky Balboa, a performance which also won a Golden Globe in January.

The campaign was mentioned at the luncheon by Academy president Cheryl Boone-Isaacs who said, "This year there is an elephant in the room. I have asked the elephant to leave." Actors boycotting this year's ceremony include Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Spike Lee.

The Academy Awards will take place on 27 February.