From Andy Seiler‘s article for USA Today, June 19, 2003, which profiles Sally Field, Demi Moore, and Sylvester Stallone who all appear in big summer movies.
Sylvester Stallone
Birth name: Michael Enzio Stallone
Role: The Toymaker, evil genius banished to cyberspace in “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over” which opens July 25
Notable Awards: Starred in “Rocky” [1976], which won best picture. Several Razzie Awards for worst actor, as well as worst actor of the [20th] century.
Gumption, grit, and moxie factor: Like Rocky, Stallone‘s whole life has been a million-to-one shot.
Future Potential Based on this role: 100-to-1 shot, not bad,compared with that million-to-one shot.
“His career reminds one of Burt Reynolds,” author Boze Hadleigh says. “He was making too many movies and not paying attention to the quality. He ended up with the option of not working or working in something very alien or something schlocky. When it comes to multiple roles, I don’t think he’s exactly Peter Sellers, but at least he’s trying.” Adds Sternbergh: “It’s hard to imagine him enjoying a late career renaissance. but if he’s charming in the movie, which is not impossible, it could lead to other similar things. I think that he’s probably looking at interesting cameos.”
– Craig Zablo