Sylvester Stallone worked alongside Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan to revitalize the Rocky franchise with Creed. After the sequel film, Stallone had a few new directions he wanted to take Rocky in. But he wasn’t sure that the audience would’ve been interested.
Sylvester Stallone wasn’t sure if audiences would be interested in his new ‘Rocky’ ideas after ‘Creed’ Sylvester Stallone | Christian Augustin/Getty Images
Creed saw Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky seemingly passing the torch to a younger generation of fighters. It wasn’t the first time fans saw the character adopting more of a mentorship role. Stallone’s critically panned Rocky V saw him help mold the future generation of fighters. But it was an attempt that soon backfired in Rocky’s face.
Creed was the first time fans would see Rocky in a film without lacing up the gloves. The franchise would put more focus...
Sylvester Stallone wasn’t sure if audiences would be interested in his new ‘Rocky’ ideas after ‘Creed’ Sylvester Stallone | Christian Augustin/Getty Images
Creed saw Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky seemingly passing the torch to a younger generation of fighters. It wasn’t the first time fans saw the character adopting more of a mentorship role. Stallone’s critically panned Rocky V saw him help mold the future generation of fighters. But it was an attempt that soon backfired in Rocky’s face.
Creed was the first time fans would see Rocky in a film without lacing up the gloves. The franchise would put more focus...
- 5/12/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Sylvester Stallone has recut Rocky 6, aka Rocky Balboa, and we’ll get to see the new cut of the movie in the summer. More here.
Following his tinkering with the iconic Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone admitted that he was looking at putting together alternate cuts of some of his other Rocky movies. He’s been true to his word too, with franchise revival Rocky Balboa next in line for the treatment.
It became known that the original cut of the movie went well past the two hour mark. MGM was believed to be instrumental in Stallone cutting it back to just over 100 minutes, and inevitably, this left a lot on the cutting room floor. Still, the film was very well received, and had it not taken off in the way that it did, we probably wouldn’t have the Creed franchise now.
The specifics of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa cut haven’t been confirmed,...
Following his tinkering with the iconic Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone admitted that he was looking at putting together alternate cuts of some of his other Rocky movies. He’s been true to his word too, with franchise revival Rocky Balboa next in line for the treatment.
It became known that the original cut of the movie went well past the two hour mark. MGM was believed to be instrumental in Stallone cutting it back to just over 100 minutes, and inevitably, this left a lot on the cutting room floor. Still, the film was very well received, and had it not taken off in the way that it did, we probably wouldn’t have the Creed franchise now.
The specifics of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa cut haven’t been confirmed,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Now here’s a real underdog story. Peter Farrelly (“Green Book”) is set to direct a film inspired by the story of how Sylvester Stallone came to make his seminal 1976 boxing film “Rocky.”
The film is titled “I Play Rocky,” and per its official logline, which never names Stallone directly, the film “follows a struggling actor with a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment who writes a script that a big movie studio wants to buy, but he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead.”
The logline continues: “Turning down an offer of life-changing money, he instead works for pennies to get the movie made with himself in the starring role.” The movie becomes the biggest box office hit of 1976, garnering 10 Academy Award nominations and winning Best Picture.
That movie of course is “Rocky.” “Casting is underway” for who would be tapped to play Stallone...
The film is titled “I Play Rocky,” and per its official logline, which never names Stallone directly, the film “follows a struggling actor with a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment who writes a script that a big movie studio wants to buy, but he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead.”
The logline continues: “Turning down an offer of life-changing money, he instead works for pennies to get the movie made with himself in the starring role.” The movie becomes the biggest box office hit of 1976, garnering 10 Academy Award nominations and winning Best Picture.
That movie of course is “Rocky.” “Casting is underway” for who would be tapped to play Stallone...
- 5/7/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
As much as we adore our short kings, the world absolutely loves a tall man. Sure, they’re probably sick of being asked, “How’s the weather up there?” but they always come in handy when you need something off the top shelf.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of sky-scraping men in Hollywood. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the tallest actors in Hollywood.
Tall Hollywood Actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” Dolph Lundgren – 6’2 ½” Dave Bautista – 6’2 ¾” Bill Skarsgård – 6’3 ¼” Vincent D’Onofrio – 6’3 ½” Jared Padalecki – 6’4” Liam Neeson – 6’4” Alexander Skarsgård – 6’4 ¼” Tyler Perry – 6’4 ¼” Jeff Goldblum – 6’4 ¼” Vince Vaughn – 6’4 ½” Armie Hammer – 6’4 ½” Joe Manganiello – 6’4 ¾” Tim Robbins – 6’4 ¾” John Cleese – 6’5” James Cromwell – 6’5” Kevin Durand – 6’5 ¾” Brad Garrett – 6’8 ⅛” Joonas Suotamo — 6’11” Carel Struycken — 7’0”
While the likes of Kevin Hart and Tom Cruise may not make the list, here are a few notable and towering actors in Hollywood:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” (189.2 cm), Shoe Size 14 (US)
Although he may have begun his career...
Fortunately, there is no shortage of sky-scraping men in Hollywood. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the tallest actors in Hollywood.
Tall Hollywood Actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” Dolph Lundgren – 6’2 ½” Dave Bautista – 6’2 ¾” Bill Skarsgård – 6’3 ¼” Vincent D’Onofrio – 6’3 ½” Jared Padalecki – 6’4” Liam Neeson – 6’4” Alexander Skarsgård – 6’4 ¼” Tyler Perry – 6’4 ¼” Jeff Goldblum – 6’4 ¼” Vince Vaughn – 6’4 ½” Armie Hammer – 6’4 ½” Joe Manganiello – 6’4 ¾” Tim Robbins – 6’4 ¾” John Cleese – 6’5” James Cromwell – 6’5” Kevin Durand – 6’5 ¾” Brad Garrett – 6’8 ⅛” Joonas Suotamo — 6’11” Carel Struycken — 7’0”
While the likes of Kevin Hart and Tom Cruise may not make the list, here are a few notable and towering actors in Hollywood:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 6’2 ½” (189.2 cm), Shoe Size 14 (US)
Although he may have begun his career...
- 5/7/2024
- by Hanna Callora
- Your Next Shoes
There’s a special tug at the heartstrings that follows the death of an actor who’s been closely associated with a death scene, as is the case with Bernard Hill, who died May 5 at the age of 79.
The death of Juanita Moore in 2013 at the age of 98 came 54 years after maybe the ultimate movie deathbed scene — not to mention funeral, with a horse-drawn hearse and Mahalia Jackson eulogizing her in song — in Douglas Sirk’s “Imitation of Life.” And when Carl Weathers died earlier this year, it came nearly four decades after his best-known character, Apollo Creed, had died in “Rocky IV,” prompting the entire “Creed” franchise to spring up in his wake, with him conspicuously, obviously, absent.
Much praise and remembrance has been given since Hill’s passing to his role as Captain E.J. Smith in James Cameron’s “Titanic.” But Bernard Hill’s death scene as Theoden...
The death of Juanita Moore in 2013 at the age of 98 came 54 years after maybe the ultimate movie deathbed scene — not to mention funeral, with a horse-drawn hearse and Mahalia Jackson eulogizing her in song — in Douglas Sirk’s “Imitation of Life.” And when Carl Weathers died earlier this year, it came nearly four decades after his best-known character, Apollo Creed, had died in “Rocky IV,” prompting the entire “Creed” franchise to spring up in his wake, with him conspicuously, obviously, absent.
Much praise and remembrance has been given since Hill’s passing to his role as Captain E.J. Smith in James Cameron’s “Titanic.” But Bernard Hill’s death scene as Theoden...
- 5/6/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
The 1990s represented a golden epoch for action cinema. This was the time which saw VHS and its digitized successor DVD introduce a whole new generation of fans to the magic of stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. And those titans from the ‘80s still claimed big wins, too, at the box office and home media via the likes of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Demolition Man, and Cliffhanger.
It was also the decade that saw audiences turn out in droves to theaters and rental stores to catch a glimpse of Steven Seagal’s flying fists in movies like Under Siege or Jean-Claude Van Damme and his trademark splits in Timecop; Jackie Chan finally got the larger American fanbase he so richly deserved thanks to the Rush Hour movies while Bruce Willis gave us Die Hard With A Vengeance, the best of all the Die Hard sequels, before pivoting...
It was also the decade that saw audiences turn out in droves to theaters and rental stores to catch a glimpse of Steven Seagal’s flying fists in movies like Under Siege or Jean-Claude Van Damme and his trademark splits in Timecop; Jackie Chan finally got the larger American fanbase he so richly deserved thanks to the Rush Hour movies while Bruce Willis gave us Die Hard With A Vengeance, the best of all the Die Hard sequels, before pivoting...
- 4/11/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Writer, actor, director and Sylvester Stallone-pulverising Dolph Lundgren joins us for a podcast special as his new film, Wanted Man, is released.
In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Dolph Lundgren. Yep, that Dolph Lundgren: not only Ivan Drago, but a writer, director, actor, Ted Talker, academic and lover of cats.
They chat about his latest directorial outing, Wanted Man, available on UK digital services now. Plus, which version of Rocky IV is the best, why his cat has ended up in the end credits of his latest film, his love of watching Sex And The City, and a chat about the impact of putting his own story out into the world…
The post Podcast | in conversation with Dolph Lundgren appeared first on Film Stories.
In a special episode of the Film Stories podcast, Simon is joined by Dolph Lundgren. Yep, that Dolph Lundgren: not only Ivan Drago, but a writer, director, actor, Ted Talker, academic and lover of cats.
They chat about his latest directorial outing, Wanted Man, available on UK digital services now. Plus, which version of Rocky IV is the best, why his cat has ended up in the end credits of his latest film, his love of watching Sex And The City, and a chat about the impact of putting his own story out into the world…
The post Podcast | in conversation with Dolph Lundgren appeared first on Film Stories.
- 4/5/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Fan Siu-wong, Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Mike Star, Fred Stoller, Johnny Barnes, Keanu Reeves’ fist, and Hugo WeavingScreenshot: YouTube
With the release of Amazon’s Mma-inspired remake of Road House, The A.V. Club is looking at the most brutal, compelling, and consequential punches to the face in cinema. Now,...
With the release of Amazon’s Mma-inspired remake of Road House, The A.V. Club is looking at the most brutal, compelling, and consequential punches to the face in cinema. Now,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Matt Schimkowitz
- avclub.com
Expendables 4 or Expend4bles was the final nail in the coffin for the renowned Sylvester Stallone action franchise that made a name for bringing some iconic stars together on screen. The fourth and latest film in the franchise was a critical and commercial disaster. Adding more to its list of injuries, the film also gave Sylvester Stallone a Razzie for the Worst Supporting Actor.
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 4
With his latest Razzie for Expendables 4, Sylvester Stallone has made a record for most Razzie wins by an actor and an action icon. Even after being one of the greatest names in action and Hollywood, Stallone has been a recipient of a record 11 dishonoring Razzies in total. It does not look like any other action star would be able to break the record soon.
How did Expendables 4 lead Sylvester Stallone to his Razzie record? Jason Statham in Expend4bles
Recently,...
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 4
With his latest Razzie for Expendables 4, Sylvester Stallone has made a record for most Razzie wins by an actor and an action icon. Even after being one of the greatest names in action and Hollywood, Stallone has been a recipient of a record 11 dishonoring Razzies in total. It does not look like any other action star would be able to break the record soon.
How did Expendables 4 lead Sylvester Stallone to his Razzie record? Jason Statham in Expend4bles
Recently,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
Among the plethora of faces that popped up in the 2023’s highest-grossing billion-dollar and 8 Oscar-nominated movie, Barbie, Sylvester Stallone was also set to leave his mark, believe it or not. However, conflicting schedules and clashes with Tulsa King made it difficult for him to be present on the sets. Nevertheless, Stallone’s “Kenergy” was felt throughout the movie. However, Stallone is now glad audiences missed the opportunity to witness him as one of the Kens, as he deemed himself too ugly for the role.
Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III poster Sylvester Stallone Thought He Was Too Ugly to Play Ken!
When the iconic action hero Sylvester Stallone graced The Tonight Show stage, he spilled the beans to Jimmy Fallon about how the unexpected yet intriguing opportunity to appear in the Barbie movie landed in his lap. Despite his initial excitement for the cameo, pesky schedule conflicts threw a wrench in the works.
Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III poster Sylvester Stallone Thought He Was Too Ugly to Play Ken!
When the iconic action hero Sylvester Stallone graced The Tonight Show stage, he spilled the beans to Jimmy Fallon about how the unexpected yet intriguing opportunity to appear in the Barbie movie landed in his lap. Despite his initial excitement for the cameo, pesky schedule conflicts threw a wrench in the works.
- 3/8/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
After Russell Crowe’s story about his brutal injury on the sets of Robin Hood, Sylvester Stallone has now revealed how he sustained an even brutal spine injury while working in The Expendables. Stallone made this revelation on his reality television show, The Family Stallone, which also stars his wife, Jennifer Flavin, and three daughters. The injury occurred during a botched stunt where he was tackled by none other than WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Sylvester Stallone in The Family Stallone
While Crowe and Stallone’s revelations show the extent to which actors were willing to go to entertain their audience, a few feel that bragging about recklessness is not the way to go about it. It was not the first instance where Sylvester Stallone risked a life-threatening injury on a movie set.
Sylvester Stallone Reveals His Spinal Injury On The Set Of The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables...
Sylvester Stallone in The Family Stallone
While Crowe and Stallone’s revelations show the extent to which actors were willing to go to entertain their audience, a few feel that bragging about recklessness is not the way to go about it. It was not the first instance where Sylvester Stallone risked a life-threatening injury on a movie set.
Sylvester Stallone Reveals His Spinal Injury On The Set Of The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables...
- 2/23/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
The Rocky and Creed film series may have been the only projects where Sylvester Stallone and the late legend Carl Weathers got to share the screen together, but the pair’s personal relationship was much greater than that.
While Stallone played the prime protagonist Rocky Balboa in all of the movies of the film series of the same name, Weathers initially played Stallone’s character’s main antagonist in the starting two movies before transforming into one of the protagonists for the remaining two films.
Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers in the Rocky saga
Because of their relationship onscreen in the initial installments, many rumors had been circulating around about the possible rivalry that Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers shared on the sets of the films during the shoot of the saga.
However, the widely commended makeup artist for the Rocky saga, Michael Westmore has recently debunked all these rumors,...
While Stallone played the prime protagonist Rocky Balboa in all of the movies of the film series of the same name, Weathers initially played Stallone’s character’s main antagonist in the starting two movies before transforming into one of the protagonists for the remaining two films.
Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers in the Rocky saga
Because of their relationship onscreen in the initial installments, many rumors had been circulating around about the possible rivalry that Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers shared on the sets of the films during the shoot of the saga.
However, the widely commended makeup artist for the Rocky saga, Michael Westmore has recently debunked all these rumors,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Sylvester Stallone shared one of his first memories of actor Carl Weathers, who starred in the iconic role as boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky series.
While on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in an episode aired Friday, Stallone, who co-starred in the franchise as Rocky Balboa, recalled the difficulty of finding someone who could play Creed. “I couldn’t fill that spot,” the actor told the host. “It required incredible athleticism, brains, spirit, talent, speed.” Weathers, a professional football player who played eight games with the then-Oakland Raiders...
While on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in an episode aired Friday, Stallone, who co-starred in the franchise as Rocky Balboa, recalled the difficulty of finding someone who could play Creed. “I couldn’t fill that spot,” the actor told the host. “It required incredible athleticism, brains, spirit, talent, speed.” Weathers, a professional football player who played eight games with the then-Oakland Raiders...
- 2/10/2024
- by Charisma Madarang
- Rollingstone.com
Hollywood star Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four ‘Rocky’ films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died on Thursday. He was 76.
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
- 2/3/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Rocky Balboa himself, Sylvester Stallone, took a moment to pay tribute to his co-star Carl Weathers, who died Thursday in his sleep at 76.
The actors fought it out in the ring for the first two films of the famous boxing franchise, and they remained friends in the decades following the final installment, 1985’s Rocky IV.
Stallone shared a video on his Instagram Friday, remembering Weathers and their time together in their breakthrough films. In the caption, he partially wrote, “We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers.”
In the minute-long video, the Tulsa King star explained that the film franchise wouldn’t have been what it became had it not been for Weathers’ Apollo Creed.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me,” Stallone began the video. “I mean, I’m so torn up I can’t even tell you.
The actors fought it out in the ring for the first two films of the famous boxing franchise, and they remained friends in the decades following the final installment, 1985’s Rocky IV.
Stallone shared a video on his Instagram Friday, remembering Weathers and their time together in their breakthrough films. In the caption, he partially wrote, “We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers.”
In the minute-long video, the Tulsa King star explained that the film franchise wouldn’t have been what it became had it not been for Weathers’ Apollo Creed.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me,” Stallone began the video. “I mean, I’m so torn up I can’t even tell you.
- 2/3/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and “Rocky” co-star Carl Weathers, who died Thursday at age 76.
Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, squaring off in the ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how great,” Stallone said. “I never could’ve...
Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, squaring off in the ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how great,” Stallone said. “I never could’ve...
- 2/3/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Sylvester Stallone paid tribute today to Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and died Thursday at 76.
In an emotional Instagram video post (watch it below), the three-time Oscar nominee recalled his longtime friend in a sometimes-quivering voice: “”My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. … He was magic, and I was fortunate to be part of his life. … Rest in power and keep punching.”
Standing in front of an abstract painting from their Rocky days in the ring, Stallone says in the video: “Hello, everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. … Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life which he says everything about it. I give him incredible credit …. because when he walked into that room, and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realize how great.
In an emotional Instagram video post (watch it below), the three-time Oscar nominee recalled his longtime friend in a sometimes-quivering voice: “”My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. … He was magic, and I was fortunate to be part of his life. … Rest in power and keep punching.”
Standing in front of an abstract painting from their Rocky days in the ring, Stallone says in the video: “Hello, everyone. Today is an incredibly sad day for me. … Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life which he says everything about it. I give him incredible credit …. because when he walked into that room, and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realize how great.
- 2/3/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor and athlete Carl Weathers passed away yesterday at the age of 76, his family has announced. Weathers will be missed not just for the performances he gave but for the way his sense of humor made everything he was a part of better. Whether the actor was teasing Grogu for getting into trouble, appearing as a cheapskate version of himself on "Arrested Development," or voicing Combat Carl in "Toy Story 4," Weathers brought a sense of joy to each project he participated in.
In the case of the "Rocky" franchise, it felt as if the actor never really got the chance to stop playing Apollo Creed despite the character's death in "Rocky IV." His turn as the flamboyant fighter ended in 1985, but Weathers was still (understandably) asked about his part in the action series throughout the decades that followed. The actor fielded these questions gamely and sometimes with a sense of mischief,...
In the case of the "Rocky" franchise, it felt as if the actor never really got the chance to stop playing Apollo Creed despite the character's death in "Rocky IV." His turn as the flamboyant fighter ended in 1985, but Weathers was still (understandably) asked about his part in the action series throughout the decades that followed. The actor fielded these questions gamely and sometimes with a sense of mischief,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Carl Weathers is dead at the age of 76. It’s shocking to consider, even though his best-known character, Apollo Creed, in some ways was ultimately defined by his death in 1985’s “Rocky IV.” The franchise went on without him, and ultimately followed his son played by Michael B. Jordan. But for the next 38 years, there was the fact that Weathers was in reality alive, well, in astonishingly great shape, and underutilized.
Now, Weathers has died himself. And given that he was one of Hollywood’s most prominent musclemen of the late ’70s and ’80s, an era defined by fitness-obsessed actors who either were athletes or aspired to be them, 76 feels startlingly young. Especially given how vital and active he was up until the very end, even directing a couple episodes of “The Mandalorian” so good that one wishes he could have, for the sake of that show’s quality, directed more.
Now, Weathers has died himself. And given that he was one of Hollywood’s most prominent musclemen of the late ’70s and ’80s, an era defined by fitness-obsessed actors who either were athletes or aspired to be them, 76 feels startlingly young. Especially given how vital and active he was up until the very end, even directing a couple episodes of “The Mandalorian” so good that one wishes he could have, for the sake of that show’s quality, directed more.
- 2/2/2024
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
Carl Weathers, the actor who starred as boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky series in addition to memorable roles in Predator, Happy Gilmore, and The Mandalorian, died at the age of 76.
Weathers’ family confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to Deadline, noting he died “peacefully in his sleep” Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he...
Weathers’ family confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to Deadline, noting he died “peacefully in his sleep” Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he...
- 2/2/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Carl Weathers, the former NFL player who made his mark in Hollywood as the boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and with appearances in such other projects as Predator, Happy Gilmore and The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
- 2/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We come today bearing tragic news as Carl Weathers, the man who gave us memorable characters like Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise, Chubbs Peterson in "Happy Gilmore," the titular "Action Jackson," and Greef Karga in "The Mandalorian" has left us at the age of 76. His family announced that he passed away yesterday, but the news broke today courtesy of Deadline.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said his family in a statement obtained by Deadline. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."
A natural athlete, Weathers got his start as a college football player at San Diego State University...
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said his family in a statement obtained by Deadline. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."
A natural athlete, Weathers got his start as a college football player at San Diego State University...
- 2/2/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died Thursday, his manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety. He was 76.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
- 2/2/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and appeared in Predator, The Mandalorian, Happy Gilmore, Action Jackson and dozens of other films and TV shows, died Tuesday, his family announced. He was 76.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers appeared in more than 75 films and TV shows during his 50-year screen career. He appeared in nine episodes of the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian over three season and voiced Combat Carl in...
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers,” his family said in a statement. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. … Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.”
Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Weathers appeared in more than 75 films and TV shows during his 50-year screen career. He appeared in nine episodes of the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian over three season and voiced Combat Carl in...
- 2/2/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Tributes have been pouring in for Carl Weathers, the former college American Football player who starred in the Rocky films, as well as Predator and The Mandalorian, following his death on February 1. He was 76.
Weathers passed away in his sleep at home on Thursday.
Speaking on Instagram, Rocky creator Sylvester Stallone said he was “so torn up” at the news.
”Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success… When he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realised how great,” said Stallone.
”I never...
Weathers passed away in his sleep at home on Thursday.
Speaking on Instagram, Rocky creator Sylvester Stallone said he was “so torn up” at the news.
”Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success… When he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness, but I didn’t realised how great,” said Stallone.
”I never...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Carl Weathers, the former American Football player who starred in the Rocky films opposite Sylvester Stallone and also earned notable credits in Predator and later in life The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday. He was born in New Orleans on January 14 1948, and stood out as a keen athlete in his youth, playing for San Diego State University in the team’s invincible season in 1968 when they won all 11 games.
Speaking on Instagram, Stallone said he was “so torn up” at the news.
”Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life,...
Weathers passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday. He was born in New Orleans on January 14 1948, and stood out as a keen athlete in his youth, playing for San Diego State University in the team’s invincible season in 1968 when they won all 11 games.
Speaking on Instagram, Stallone said he was “so torn up” at the news.
”Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life,...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Carl Weathers, the former American Football player who stared in the Rocky films opposite Sylvester Stallone and also earned notable credits in Predator and later in life The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday. He was born in New Orleans on January 14 1948, and stood out as a keen athlete in his youth, playing for San Diego State University in the team’s invincible season in 1968 when they won all 11 games.
He studied drama at the institution and moved into acting in the 1970s, getting his first film credit on Clint Eastwood...
Weathers passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday. He was born in New Orleans on January 14 1948, and stood out as a keen athlete in his youth, playing for San Diego State University in the team’s invincible season in 1968 when they won all 11 games.
He studied drama at the institution and moved into acting in the 1970s, getting his first film credit on Clint Eastwood...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn asked star Henry Cavill to sport a Nehru Jacket for the upcoming film ‘Argylle’ and said that it is quite challenging to pull off that look but the actor managed to do it. Vaughn said: “I felt Henry could give me all the classic spy stuff. He can give me a wink; he can do all the things I want from a spy. Agent Argylle’s appearance is a bold, instantly iconic throwback to the ‘80s.”
“I have had an enduring obsession with the styles of that era, including the likes of Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, and the era’s signature flattops. That’s why we decided to give Argylle one,” he said.
Vaughn said that Cavill’s portrayal is great. “I needed someone who could exude the essence of a James Bond-type character, but with a twist. Whoever could play James Bond,...
“I have had an enduring obsession with the styles of that era, including the likes of Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, and the era’s signature flattops. That’s why we decided to give Argylle one,” he said.
Vaughn said that Cavill’s portrayal is great. “I needed someone who could exude the essence of a James Bond-type character, but with a twist. Whoever could play James Bond,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Nearly 40 years after he made his big screen debut with a brief appearance in the James Bond picture “A View to a Kill,” Dolph Lundgren is still best known as an actor thanks to a series of iconic roles in ’80s and ’90s favorites like “Rocky IV,” “Masters of the Universe,” and “Universal Soldier.” (More recently he’s been a fixture in the “Expendables” and “Aquaman” franchises.) Yet for the past couple of decades, Lundgren has been quietly forging a side career as an accomplished writer and director of low-budget action films, movies that belie their limited resources in ambition and craftsmanship. Like the scrappy genre directors of Hollywood’s past — filmmakers like Budd Boetticher, Sam Fuller, and Don Siegel — Lundgren uses the creative freedom of lower budgets to smuggle his personal obsessions and stylistic preoccupations into accessible entertainments that are as intelligent as they are lively.
Lundgren’s latest release,...
Lundgren’s latest release,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire
Dolph Lundgren thinks that 'The Expendables 4' failed for a multitude of reasons.The 66-year-old actor reprised his role as Gunner Jensen in the action film that disappointed both critics and audiences and thinks that a mediocre script as well as a lack of creative involvement from Sylvester Stallone contributed to the poor response to the picture.Dolph told Screen Rant: "That project had issues from the beginning, and it usually starts with the script, it really didn't have a good script."I'm not playing the lead, so it's hard for me to weigh in on some of the issues, but I know Stallone wasn't involved, like he usually is. He just played a character in it, and when he's in charge, the quality is going to be pretty good, it doesn't drop below a certain level."But he wasn't involved, so I think the problem was with the script,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Action icon Dolph Lundgren and Frasier himself Kelsey Grammer – who have actually worked together before, on The Expendables 3 – star in the upcoming action thriller Wanted Man, which is set to receive a theatrical, VOD, and digital release on January 19th. With that date just one month away, a trailer for Wanted Man has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above. A poster for the film has also been unveiled, and that can be found at the bottom of this article.
Lundgren also directed this film, working from a screenplay he wrote with Hank Hugues and Michael Worth. Here’s the synopsis: Johansen (Lundgren) is an aging detective, whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds...
Lundgren also directed this film, working from a screenplay he wrote with Hank Hugues and Michael Worth. Here’s the synopsis: Johansen (Lundgren) is an aging detective, whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds...
- 12/15/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
After directing three “Night at the Museum” movies, Shawn Levy didn’t want to be confined to directing family comedies for the rest of his career. If you’re doing something successfully, he told IndieWire, it’s easy to be “pigeonholed” by Hollywood into that one thing.
But he’s been far from limited under the banner of his own production company, 21 Laps. Levy and his company have been prolific hit-makers since it launched in 2006, and he has produced and directed everything from indie darlings (“The Spectacular Now”), ambitious Best Picture nominees (“Arrival”), studio blockbuster satires (“Free Guy“), prestige limited series (“All the Light We Cannot See”), Stephen King horror movies (“The Boogeyman”), and the biggest Netflix show ever (“Stranger Things”), all of which depart from the family-friendly event movies on which he cut his teeth.
“You need to refuse to be limited by everyone else’s assumptions,” Levy told IndieWire during a recent interview.
But he’s been far from limited under the banner of his own production company, 21 Laps. Levy and his company have been prolific hit-makers since it launched in 2006, and he has produced and directed everything from indie darlings (“The Spectacular Now”), ambitious Best Picture nominees (“Arrival”), studio blockbuster satires (“Free Guy“), prestige limited series (“All the Light We Cannot See”), Stephen King horror movies (“The Boogeyman”), and the biggest Netflix show ever (“Stranger Things”), all of which depart from the family-friendly event movies on which he cut his teeth.
“You need to refuse to be limited by everyone else’s assumptions,” Levy told IndieWire during a recent interview.
- 12/13/2023
- by Brian Welk and Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
There are plenty of stories out there about actors getting injured by other actors on set. Harrison Ford was famously (accidentally) punched in the face by Ryan Gosling on the set of "Blade Runner 2049." Dolph Lundgren punched Sylvester Stallone so hard in "Rocky IV" that the latter's heart swelled. Usually, however, they aren't injured by someone who isn't going to be seen on camera. However, during the shoot for 1999's "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," Andrew Secombe, the actor who played the CG character Watto, caused a big injury for Liam Neeson, aka Qui-Gon Jinn. In fact, he nearly broke Neeson's nose, according to "Star Wars Insider" #196.
This all happened on Secombe's very first day of shooting. Watto, of course, is the Toydarian character who owns the secondhand shop in Mos Espa and forces the enslaved Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August) and her son Anakin (Jake Lloyd) to work as his underlings.
This all happened on Secombe's very first day of shooting. Watto, of course, is the Toydarian character who owns the secondhand shop in Mos Espa and forces the enslaved Shmi Skywalker (Pernilla August) and her son Anakin (Jake Lloyd) to work as his underlings.
- 12/5/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Quiver Distribution has picked up North American rights to the action thriller Wanted Man, co-written, directed by and starring Dolph Lundgren, for release in select theaters and on VOD on January 19, 2024.
Also starring Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) and Christina Villa (The Wedding in the Hamptons), the film centers on Johansen (Lundgren), an aging detective whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness (Villa) to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds not only his old opinions challenged, but that bad guys on both sides of the border are now gunning for him and his witness.
Writing the script with Lundgren was Michael Worth (Killing Cupid). Producers included Craig Baumgarten (Universal Soldier), Lundgren and Emma Krokdal, as well as Jeffrey Greenstein and Jonathan Yunger of Millennium Media. Exec producers...
Also starring Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) and Christina Villa (The Wedding in the Hamptons), the film centers on Johansen (Lundgren), an aging detective whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness (Villa) to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds not only his old opinions challenged, but that bad guys on both sides of the border are now gunning for him and his witness.
Writing the script with Lundgren was Michael Worth (Killing Cupid). Producers included Craig Baumgarten (Universal Soldier), Lundgren and Emma Krokdal, as well as Jeffrey Greenstein and Jonathan Yunger of Millennium Media. Exec producers...
- 11/29/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sylvester Stallone helped Dolph Lundgren achieve action star status when he cast him in Rocky IV. But action films changed a bit over the years thanks to features like The Bourne trilogy. Lundgren seemed to feel this could be both a positive and a negative.
What Dolph Lundgren felt about Matt Damon’s ‘Bourne’ movies Dolph Lundgren | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Lundgren has starred in his own fair share of action movies. He starred in such features as 1989’s The Punisher and Universal Soldier, and held a certain fondness for action stars in the 80s. To him, the action heroes of yesterday had the physique to earn their roles more so than the action stars of today.
“Back in those days, you took somebody who could take their shirt off and have real muscles. Now, you take somebody who has won an Academy Award, put them in a suit, and he...
What Dolph Lundgren felt about Matt Damon’s ‘Bourne’ movies Dolph Lundgren | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Lundgren has starred in his own fair share of action movies. He starred in such features as 1989’s The Punisher and Universal Soldier, and held a certain fondness for action stars in the 80s. To him, the action heroes of yesterday had the physique to earn their roles more so than the action stars of today.
“Back in those days, you took somebody who could take their shirt off and have real muscles. Now, you take somebody who has won an Academy Award, put them in a suit, and he...
- 11/25/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Sylvester Stallone struggled to get his 1976 film Rocky made. But with an estimated budget of just $1M, the shoot was hanging in the balance. However, by cutting costs, Rocky was a study in film frugality. Much of Rocky Balboa’s wardrobe was plucked from Stallone’s closet, and the shoot was done in a gritty filmmaking style.
Just how did ‘Rocky’ come under budget?
Keeping Rocky‘s budget from going over was forefront in the minds of the film’s producers. Here are some methods director John G. Avildsen consequently used to keep the Sylvester Stallone-penned film under its $1M budget.
Interiors were shot in LA since an entire 28-day shoot in Philadelphia was too pricey, reported Mental Floss. Subsequently, the Rocky crew quietly shot exteriors using a nonunion crew.
Avildsen would drive around Philadelphia in a van with Stallone and a cameramen inside. However, he would spot an interesting location,...
Just how did ‘Rocky’ come under budget?
Keeping Rocky‘s budget from going over was forefront in the minds of the film’s producers. Here are some methods director John G. Avildsen consequently used to keep the Sylvester Stallone-penned film under its $1M budget.
Interiors were shot in LA since an entire 28-day shoot in Philadelphia was too pricey, reported Mental Floss. Subsequently, the Rocky crew quietly shot exteriors using a nonunion crew.
Avildsen would drive around Philadelphia in a van with Stallone and a cameramen inside. However, he would spot an interesting location,...
- 11/23/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Thom Zimny’s epic Netflix documentary, Sly, debuted on Netflix this weekend following an excellent run at TIFF. In it, Stallone opens up about his various career highs and lows while also acknowledging some of the personal obstacles he’s had to face. This includes a tense relationship with his often violent father and the tragic death of his son, Sage Stallone.
Zimny, who previously made two great Bruce Springsteen documentaries, Letters to You and Springsteen on Broadway, along with the classic Elvis documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, was gracious enough to sit with us for an epic chat about Stallone’s filmography. As the writer and narrator of Stallone Revisited (I’ve always interviewed him a few times), I like to think I’m a bit of an expert as far as Sly’s life and legacy goes. Zimny impressed me during our talk, with him genuinely an expert...
Zimny, who previously made two great Bruce Springsteen documentaries, Letters to You and Springsteen on Broadway, along with the classic Elvis documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, was gracious enough to sit with us for an epic chat about Stallone’s filmography. As the writer and narrator of Stallone Revisited (I’ve always interviewed him a few times), I like to think I’m a bit of an expert as far as Sly’s life and legacy goes. Zimny impressed me during our talk, with him genuinely an expert...
- 11/7/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
If "Rocky" is for Boomers and Gen-Xers and "Creed" is for Millennials, then what is the boxing film of choice for Generation Z? One could argue it's "Real Steel." Yes, really.
Released in 2011, the Hugh Jackman-led sci-fi film is loosely based on "Steel," a short story written by Richard Matheson in the 1950s and one that was previously adapted into an episode of "The Twilight Zone" in 1963. Yet, the film itself was very much meant for families -- including then kiddie-aged Gen-Zers -- when it opened in theaters. It would proceed to top the charts on Netflix almost a decade later when the world was on lockdown in 2020, at which point it became apparent just how much of a lasting imprint Jackman's surprisingly heartfelt boxing robots flick had left on the public's consciousness.
Directed by Shawn Levy, "Real Steel" takes place in an alternate future where, instead of people...
Released in 2011, the Hugh Jackman-led sci-fi film is loosely based on "Steel," a short story written by Richard Matheson in the 1950s and one that was previously adapted into an episode of "The Twilight Zone" in 1963. Yet, the film itself was very much meant for families -- including then kiddie-aged Gen-Zers -- when it opened in theaters. It would proceed to top the charts on Netflix almost a decade later when the world was on lockdown in 2020, at which point it became apparent just how much of a lasting imprint Jackman's surprisingly heartfelt boxing robots flick had left on the public's consciousness.
Directed by Shawn Levy, "Real Steel" takes place in an alternate future where, instead of people...
- 11/6/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Like the Italian Stallion, the "Rocky" films have seen some real highs and lows. Now spanning almost 50 years, it's a franchise that offers boundless entertainment, even at its most baffling. These movies are also formulaic to a "T." Even if you've yet to watch a single one, you probably already know what to expect: Rocky Balboa -- or Adonis Creed -- will be down on his luck when he's presented with a new opportunity to prove himself in the boxing ring. Or he'll be riding high only to get knocked flat on his ass and have to pick himself back up. Cue the training montage. It's predictable, but damn if it doesn't work like gangbusters, time and time over.
For the most part, the titles of the "Rocky" films are numerically ordered, which makes it pretty easy to figure out which one to watch after which. The only outlier is "Rocky Balboa,...
For the most part, the titles of the "Rocky" films are numerically ordered, which makes it pretty easy to figure out which one to watch after which. The only outlier is "Rocky Balboa,...
- 11/5/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Sylvester Stallone took his friend’s advice on a rewrite of the original screenplay to Rocky. A few tweaks later, he was on his way to major success.
In the new Netflix documentary Sly, Stallone discussed how he initially conceived of the project, which had a much harder edge. In the early version, Rocky was depicted as a “thuggish” character, inspired by Martin Scorsese’s crime drama, Mean Streets.
But Stallone’s perspective changed when a friend read the script and thought the boxer was too cruel for audiences to actually care about him.
Stallone recalled her crying.
“She goes, ‘I hate Rocky. I hate him. He’s cruel. He hits people. He beats them up.'”
Stallone took it to heart, and asked what he could do to soften the character.
“I said, ‘what if you stop short of it?’ Like, maybe he almost did. He could have, that’s his job,...
In the new Netflix documentary Sly, Stallone discussed how he initially conceived of the project, which had a much harder edge. In the early version, Rocky was depicted as a “thuggish” character, inspired by Martin Scorsese’s crime drama, Mean Streets.
But Stallone’s perspective changed when a friend read the script and thought the boxer was too cruel for audiences to actually care about him.
Stallone recalled her crying.
“She goes, ‘I hate Rocky. I hate him. He’s cruel. He hits people. He beats them up.'”
Stallone took it to heart, and asked what he could do to soften the character.
“I said, ‘what if you stop short of it?’ Like, maybe he almost did. He could have, that’s his job,...
- 11/4/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have opened up on an old feud which they had back in their early days, which led to massive rivalry and even hatred between the two, with Stallone saying that even their DNA hated each other.
The ‘Rocky’ and ‘Terminator’ stars are close friends today, but back in the 1980s when the two were dishing out their most iconic action films such as ‘Rambo’ and ‘Predator’, they were excessively hostile against one another taking pot shots at each other in press meetings, and insulting each other on a personal level.
Allof that, however, ended in the late 1990’s as both the action stars having both in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, found themselves traveling together to various openings.
This ended up bringing the two closer, and soon their hatred dissipated and they became fast friends leading them to collaborate with each other...
The ‘Rocky’ and ‘Terminator’ stars are close friends today, but back in the 1980s when the two were dishing out their most iconic action films such as ‘Rambo’ and ‘Predator’, they were excessively hostile against one another taking pot shots at each other in press meetings, and insulting each other on a personal level.
Allof that, however, ended in the late 1990’s as both the action stars having both in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, found themselves traveling together to various openings.
This ended up bringing the two closer, and soon their hatred dissipated and they became fast friends leading them to collaborate with each other...
- 10/28/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Hollywood action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have opened up on an old feud which they had back in their early days, which led to massive rivalry and even hatred between the two, with Stallone saying that even their DNA hated each other.
The ‘Rocky’ and ‘Terminator’ stars are close friends today, but back in the 1980s when the two were dishing out their most iconic action films such as ‘Rambo’ and ‘Predator’, they were excessively hostile against one another taking pot shots at each other in press meetings, and insulting each other on a personal level.
Allof that, however, ended in the late 1990’s as both the action stars having both in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, found themselves traveling together to various openings.
This ended up bringing the two closer, and soon their hatred dissipated and they became fast friends leading them to collaborate with each other...
The ‘Rocky’ and ‘Terminator’ stars are close friends today, but back in the 1980s when the two were dishing out their most iconic action films such as ‘Rambo’ and ‘Predator’, they were excessively hostile against one another taking pot shots at each other in press meetings, and insulting each other on a personal level.
Allof that, however, ended in the late 1990’s as both the action stars having both in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, found themselves traveling together to various openings.
This ended up bringing the two closer, and soon their hatred dissipated and they became fast friends leading them to collaborate with each other...
- 10/28/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce in ‘Julia’ season 2 (Photograph by Sebastein Gonon/Max)
Max’s November 2023 schedule includes season two of Julia starring Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child and the return of Rap Sh!t with Aida Osman and Mia KaMillion. Bookie, a new comedy about sports gambling created by Chuck Lorre, makes its debut on November 30th with Sebastian Maniscalco starring as an LA bookie.
HBO documentaries Albert Brooks: Defending My Life and South to Black Power will stream on Max this November, along with CNN Films’ Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Series & Films Arriving On Max In November 2023:
November 1
Act of Valor (2012)
After the Thin Man (1936)
Aliens (1986)
The Ant Bully (2006)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
The Avengers (1998)
The Bachelor (1999)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Bells Are Ringing (1960)
Black Beauty (1994)
Boys’ Night Out (1962)
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)
Brigadoon (1954)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A Christmas Carol (1938)
Christmas Cookie Challenge, Seasons...
Max’s November 2023 schedule includes season two of Julia starring Sarah Lancashire as Julia Child and the return of Rap Sh!t with Aida Osman and Mia KaMillion. Bookie, a new comedy about sports gambling created by Chuck Lorre, makes its debut on November 30th with Sebastian Maniscalco starring as an LA bookie.
HBO documentaries Albert Brooks: Defending My Life and South to Black Power will stream on Max this November, along with CNN Films’ Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Series & Films Arriving On Max In November 2023:
November 1
Act of Valor (2012)
After the Thin Man (1936)
Aliens (1986)
The Ant Bully (2006)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
The Avengers (1998)
The Bachelor (1999)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Bells Are Ringing (1960)
Black Beauty (1994)
Boys’ Night Out (1962)
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)
Brigadoon (1954)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A Christmas Carol (1938)
Christmas Cookie Challenge, Seasons...
- 10/26/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Sylvester Stallone‘s Rocky is a classic film about a small-time Philadelphia boxer who gets to fight a heavyweight champion—the redemption tale centered on hard-luck Rocky’s quest for self-respect. The story hit a nerve with moviegoers and subsequently spawned a multitude of sequels. Today, is Sylvester Stallone the oldest living member of the Rocky cast?
Who is still alive from the ‘Rocky’ series of films?
The Rocky films created iconic characters beloved by film fans. These include Rocky and Adrian Balboa, Paulie Penning, Apollo Creed, Micky Goldmill, Duke Evers, Clubber Lang, Ivan and Ludmilla Drago, and Tommy Gunn. But is Sylvester Stallone currently the oldest living member of the Rocky cast?
Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky Balboa, is the oldest living member of the cast at 77, but he doesn’t share that distinction alone. Talia Shire played his wife, Adrian Balboa, and is also 77.
Carl Weathers, who played...
Who is still alive from the ‘Rocky’ series of films?
The Rocky films created iconic characters beloved by film fans. These include Rocky and Adrian Balboa, Paulie Penning, Apollo Creed, Micky Goldmill, Duke Evers, Clubber Lang, Ivan and Ludmilla Drago, and Tommy Gunn. But is Sylvester Stallone currently the oldest living member of the Rocky cast?
Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky Balboa, is the oldest living member of the cast at 77, but he doesn’t share that distinction alone. Talia Shire played his wife, Adrian Balboa, and is also 77.
Carl Weathers, who played...
- 10/19/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If you want to enjoy some often very good and often very bad action movies, the "Rambo" franchise is for you. And if you want to watch the strange and often disturbing trajectory of America's political core over nearly 40 years of cinema, the "Rambo" franchise is also for you. By accident or design, Sylvester Stallone's famed action series contains multitudes. They're macho, violent, ridiculous one-man-army movies. They're also propaganda, apologies for propaganda, and then propaganda again. They demand popcorn, and a crowd ready to hoot and holler. But also analysis.
But few film franchises outside of "Fast and Furious" have titles as confusing as the "Rambo" movies, which defy common logic and may have you, the John Rambo newbie, wondering if there's a trick to watching these things. Honestly, the key is to watch them in order of production. It's the only way to appreciate the series' loose continuity and,...
But few film franchises outside of "Fast and Furious" have titles as confusing as the "Rambo" movies, which defy common logic and may have you, the John Rambo newbie, wondering if there's a trick to watching these things. Honestly, the key is to watch them in order of production. It's the only way to appreciate the series' loose continuity and,...
- 10/14/2023
- by Jacob Hall
- Slash Film
Photo credit: Getty Images
Fred White
White, the original drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire who played on their 1980 hit “Shining Star,” died Jan. 1 of undisclosed causes. He was 67.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Gangsta Boo
The Tennessee-based former member of the Oscar-winning rap group Three 6 Mafia, whose real name was Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, died Jan. 1 of undisclosed causes, though an autopsy is pending. She was 43.
James D. Brubaker
Brubaker, who started out as a driver on Hollywood sets before rising through the ranks to become a producer on films including “Rocky IV” and “Right Stuff,” died Jan. 3 after a series of strokes. He was 85.
Peter Rawley
Rawley, a longtime talent agent for ICM Partners and former MGM executive, died on Jan. 3. He was 85.
Photo credit: Gregory Yee/Twitter
Gregory Yee
Yee, a breaking news reporter for the LA Times, died Jan. 4 from complications from a respiratory illness. He was 33.
Earl Boen
Boen,...
Fred White
White, the original drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire who played on their 1980 hit “Shining Star,” died Jan. 1 of undisclosed causes. He was 67.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Gangsta Boo
The Tennessee-based former member of the Oscar-winning rap group Three 6 Mafia, whose real name was Lola Chantrelle Mitchell, died Jan. 1 of undisclosed causes, though an autopsy is pending. She was 43.
James D. Brubaker
Brubaker, who started out as a driver on Hollywood sets before rising through the ranks to become a producer on films including “Rocky IV” and “Right Stuff,” died Jan. 3 after a series of strokes. He was 85.
Peter Rawley
Rawley, a longtime talent agent for ICM Partners and former MGM executive, died on Jan. 3. He was 85.
Photo credit: Gregory Yee/Twitter
Gregory Yee
Yee, a breaking news reporter for the LA Times, died Jan. 4 from complications from a respiratory illness. He was 33.
Earl Boen
Boen,...
- 10/1/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
With Dolph Lundgren once again starring with Sylvester Stallone in “Expend4bles,” we recall when the two actors first worked together, on Stallone’s Rocky IV. Of course, Lundgren played Ivan Drago, a Russian boxer who comes to America to fight Rocky Balboa’s foe-turned-friend, Apollo Creed. When Lundgren fought Carl Weathers, who played Creed, in the film, they hadn’t been given the opportunity to work together much before filming their fight scene. At a fan event, Lundgren said that added a lot of authenticity to the scene, because the lack of choreography meant Weathers’s reactions were real.(Click on the media bar below to hear Sylvester Stallone) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Dolph_Lungremn_Carl_Weathers_Rocky_IV_.mp3
Rocky IV is currently streaming on Netflix and available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.
The post When Dolph Lundgren Fought Creed In ‘Rocky IV,’ The Fear...
Rocky IV is currently streaming on Netflix and available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.
The post When Dolph Lundgren Fought Creed In ‘Rocky IV,’ The Fear...
- 9/30/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Sly Exhibit. Courtesy of the author.Take the elevator to the fourth floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox theater and follow the sounds of proggy synthesizers. You’ll find a small gallery containing about a dozen neo-expressionist paintings; many depict solitary wanderers against backdrops of stormy neutrals. But before you have a chance to revel in these angsty brushstrokes, you’ll have to encounter the artist—it’s not optional. His image is plastered all over the elevators, lobby, and on an enormous cube in the center of this room: stare into the smirking visage of Sylvester Stallone, sequestered in an art-filled living room. “Sly Exhibit,” reads the text on the poster. A red “N”—the classier, minimalist version of the Netflix logo—is stamped at the bottom like a seal of approval.I wasn’t familiar with Stallone’s visual art before Netflix and TIFF shared it with me.
- 9/27/2023
- MUBI
With Expend4bles more than likely bringing to a close the franchise Sylvester Stallone created over 13 years ago, we wanted to know what movie in the legendary actors filmography is your favorite? Does his original creation of Rocky remain your favorite all these years later or do you find some of his iconic 90’s action films more your speed? Or perhaps you a true purist and find Italian Stallion to be quintessential Stallone! If you don’t see your favorite listed, please click other and let us know what it is (and why) in the comments.
What is your Favorite Sylvester Stallone Film?Italian Stallion (1970)Death Race 2000 (1975)Rocky (1976)F.I.S.T (1978)Paradise Alley (1978)Rocky II (1979)Nighthawks (1981)Rocky III (1982)First Blood (1982)Rhinestone (1984)Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)Rocky IV (1985)Cobra (1986)Over The Top (1987)Rambo III (1988)Lock Up (1989)Tango & Cash (1989)Rocky V (1990)Oscar (1991)Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)Cliffhanger (1993)Demolition Man (1993)The Specialist...
What is your Favorite Sylvester Stallone Film?Italian Stallion (1970)Death Race 2000 (1975)Rocky (1976)F.I.S.T (1978)Paradise Alley (1978)Rocky II (1979)Nighthawks (1981)Rocky III (1982)First Blood (1982)Rhinestone (1984)Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)Rocky IV (1985)Cobra (1986)Over The Top (1987)Rambo III (1988)Lock Up (1989)Tango & Cash (1989)Rocky V (1990)Oscar (1991)Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)Cliffhanger (1993)Demolition Man (1993)The Specialist...
- 9/24/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
To quote the great Taylor Swift, “August slipped away like a moment in time.” September has arrived, and with it, a countdown to certain films and shows leaving Netflix at the end of the 30-day month. Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” (1992) has one more month to teach you that “There’s no crying in baseball,” and why not watch it in support of the Prime Video series that can’t seem to catch a break? If you’re more in the mood for a childish story and magical whimsy, the person you need is “Nanny McPhee” (2005).
Franchise films exiting the streamer’s rotation this month include “Rocky,” “Rocky II,” “Rocky III,” “Rocky IV” and “Rocky V.” Along with those wrestling movies, other films departing at the end of September are “Snow White & the Huntsman,” “Star Trek,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Titanic” and “Warm Bodies.”
Here’s...
Franchise films exiting the streamer’s rotation this month include “Rocky,” “Rocky II,” “Rocky III,” “Rocky IV” and “Rocky V.” Along with those wrestling movies, other films departing at the end of September are “Snow White & the Huntsman,” “Star Trek,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Titanic” and “Warm Bodies.”
Here’s...
- 9/2/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
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