The Unmade Films of Sylvester Stallone: What follows is a list of movies that Sly was attached to [or turned down]. As you look over the list, I’m sure you’ll find some movies that you’d wish Sly had made and some that you’ll be glad he didn’t.
Enjoy!
- “Bartholomew vs Neff” Sly and John Candy were to play feuding neighbors.
- “Beverly Hills Cop” Sly was the original choice to play Axel Foley. He wanted a more serious action picture, but the producers wanted to go with a comedy. They parted ways. Sly went on to make “Cobra” and the producers brought in Eddie Murphy.
- “Bodyguard, The” Not the Kevin Costner vehicle, but an unproduced screenplay written by Sly written in the mid 70s: a bodyguard hired to protect a millionaire’s wife and child goes on a hunt for the killers after they succeed in their mission. [Perhaps Sly should go back and re-consider this one! – Craig]
- “Bogus Kingdom, The” Unproduced screenplay written by Sly in the early 70s: A group of down-and-out performers kidnap several high-ranking movie execs and using their make-up and acting skills take over the company. [I love that title! – Craig]
- “Cobra II” Before its release it was thought that Cobra would be Sly’s third movie franchise.
- “Coming Home” Sly was the first choice to play the role that went to Jon Voight.
- “Cotton Club, The” Sly was the first choice to play the role that went to Richard Gere.
- “Cry Full, Whisper Empty, in the Same Breath” Unproduced Sly screenplay from the mid 70s.
- “Deadly Reckoning” This was to be a sci-fi movie that took place in a domed city.
- “The Executioner” At one point it looked as if Sly would star as Don Pendelton’s character with William Friedkin directing.
- “Fatalis” Fatalis was written specifically for Sly by Jeff Rovin [who had previously written a bio of Sly] and was to be made at Universal. Saber-tooth tigers attack Los Angeles!
- “Father Lefty” Unsold tv series created by Sly and to star Danny Nucci
- “Frequency” Sly turned down the lead which Dennis Quaid ended up taking.
- “Gale Force” Sly was scheduled to re-team with director Renny Harlin for another big budget action adventure that took place during a hurricane.
- “Gangster” It looked as if Sly would star from a screenplay by Paul Aulattanesio and to be directed by William Friedkin. [The advance word on the screenplay was excellent. – Craig]
- “Godfather Part III” Sly was being courted by Paramount to star and direct and John Travolta would co-star.
- “Inglorious Bastards” Quentin Tarantino’s long talked about war movie a la “The Dirty Dozen.” Widely reported that Tarantino has a role for Sly should it ever get made. [Tarantino also has roles in the movie for Schwarzenegger, Willis, Adam Sandler, and Eddie Murphy!]
- “Isobar” Sly would have found himself pitted against a genetic mutation on a supersonic train.
- “Maggie’s Eyes” Unproduced screenplay written by Sly: the story of a criminal who falls in love with a blind woman. [Another screenplay that I wish Sly would re-consider. – Craig]
- “Negotiator, The” Sly turned down the lead.
- “Notorius” Sly wrote and planned to star in a docudrama about the murder of rapper “Biggie” Smalls
- “Pals” Unproduced screenplay by Sly: described as a younger version of “The Odd Couple.”
- “Poe” Unproduced screenplay, again written by Sly in the early 70s: Sly’s long discussed dream project – a biography (of sorts) of Edgar Allan Poe! [I wish Sly could get this made if only to see his vision of Poe! – Craig]
- “Romancing the Stone” Sly has said that he turned down the lead [that went to Michael Douglas] to instead do “Rhinestone.”
- “Sad Blues” Unproduced screenplay written by Sly in the early 70’s: a tragic love story about a pop singer with a life-threatening condition that requires that he eat bananas every day…
- “Sinsilver” Unproduced screenplay by Sly: Hasidic Jews in the wild west.
- “Superman” Sly was considered for the role of Superman.
- “Till Young Men Exit” Unproduced screenplay written by Sly in the early 70’s: A group of frustrated actors kidnap a Broadway producer. [A great title! – Craig]
- “Trio” Fictional movie within “Burn, Hollywood, Burn” starring Sly, Whoopie Goldberg and Jackie Chan.
- “X vs. Sever” In August of 2000 reports surfaced that Sly may team up with Vin Diesel for this Warner Bros. project which follows an “older government agent pursued by a bounty hunter. [It was eventually made with Antonio Bandaras and Lucy Lu]