Sylvester Stallone has done various movies that have all helped his rise in fame. However, none shine brighter than his role in the Rocky franchise. His role as the titular character gained so much recognition that the first movie very quickly led to five other films. While not all of them may have performed so well, they all managed to make a special place within the fans’ hearts.
While it was Rocky V’s underperformance that made everyone doubt whether another part would be a good idea, the actor remained adamant about his vision and tried his best with a sixth part. Rocky Balboa was another movie that the fans found a valid addition to the franchise. Although, there was a lot of reality that came into bringing the movie to life.
Rocky Balboa Had Only The Faith Of Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone was perhaps the only one who initially looked forward to making another part of Rocky. The franchise had already seen five other movies with the fifth part not getting a desired response.
“The core audience had grown up and was gone. I said it’s not about boxing — it’s about grief and loss. He finally lost his love, which is the end of the equation for him. The only way he knows how to deal with it is cathartically through fighting. He says, ‘I got this beast inside,’ and it worked.”
The movie was going to be released sixteen years after the fifth part and Rocky Balboa did not have as many people looking forward to it. All the fans of the franchise had either outgrown the series or weren’t interested in another part. Even when he went to the studios, no one was willing to make a sixth part. It all came down to how he would be able to convince them and ultimately he managed to do so.
Sylvester Stallone Did Not Want To Fight Mike Tyson
A potential casting choice for Rocky Balboa had been none other than Mike Tyson. The boxer had shown interest in being part of the movie and he was even campaigning for a role. Sylvester Stallone was sure that having the boxer face off against him would only be bad news.
“Mike wanted to fight me in this film but I thought it was a bad idea. I know I’m not that young, but I’m still too young to die,” Stallone had stated. “I said, ‘Thanks, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Thank you very much.’ But he kept calling the office saying he wanted to be in the film fighting me.”
He claimed that he valued his life and that the actor would surely die if the two got in the ring together. Although, in the end, Stallone agreed to make Tyson an audience member.
Source: Variety
