Author: Craig

Another “Victory” Victory

Craig / / 2009, Honors, Victory

The DailyRecord.co.uk reports that “Victory” has again been voted the all time best football [aka soccer] movie.  Here’s what they had to say about the movie:

ESCAPE To Victory has been voted the best football movie of all time by film fans.

The star-studded World War II drama told the story of a team of allied prisoners of war forced to take on the German national squad in a showpiece propaganda match.

But they turn the tables by using the event to plot an escape bid.

The cast featured movie stars Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone, alongside a host of football heroes, including Pele, Bobby Moore, Ossie Ardiles and Scotland’s own John Wark.

The 1981 movie topped a poll of more than 1000 members of DVD rental website LOVEFiLM.com to mark the cinema release today of Brian Clough biopic The Damned United.

You can read the full article here.

ScreenRant, Kurt Russell & StalloneZone

Craig / / 2009, Expendables

ScreenRant.com posted an item today about Sly’s e-mail to StalloneZone about why Kurt Russell isn’t in “The Expendables.” You can read it here.  (Of course since you’re a SZoner you already know why!)

Digital Spy also did a piece about Sly’s e-mail to the StalloneZone explaining why Kurt Russell won’t be in “The Expendables.”

411Mania.com also did a piece on the Stallone/StalloneZone e-mail.

The Minneapolis – St. Paul StarTribune.com also posted a piece about it.

KungFu Cinema chimed in.

50 Cent Replaced by Terry Crews

Craig / / 2009, Expendables

Harry @ AICN received an e-mail from Sly saying that Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent has been replaced by Terry Crews for the role of Hale Caesar in “The Expendables.”

Crews is a former pro football player for the San Diego Chargers and will be seen in the highly anticipated “Terminator Salvation.” Some SZoners may remember my praise for Crews for his role in “Street Kings.” I look forward to Crews as an “Expendable.”

You can read Harry’s full report here.

Sly on Kurt Russell & “The Expendables”

Craig / / 2009, Celebs, Expendables

Hey SZoners,

Here’s the latest from Sly:

I know that many people on the site have asked for Kurt Russell. I asked for him too.  Actually, I was taken aback when asked to put the request in a letter and send it to his agent.  Subsequently, I was called back by the agent several days later after refusing to send a letter and he said Kurt Russell is not interested in ‘ensemble acting’ at this time.

So, People, I came, I saw, I failed.

Best,
Sly

Sly’s Letter to SZoners

Craig / / 2009, Celebs, Expendables

I received the following e-mail from Sly who asked me to post it on the StalloneZone Message Board.  My response followed.

+++++

Dear Craig,

I appreciate the incredible amount of work you’ve done on my behalf. Please tell the loyal followers to be positive not negative in their feedback. I am not self-destructive. The anger of the casting of 50 Cent is understandable, but not fair. A player is only as good as his coach. If a man can communicate in one medium, he can communicate in another if his strengths are brought out and he has the support of well-wishers. So, trust me, the change of Forest Whitaker to 50 Cent AKA Curtis Jackson is a good one. No one thought Dolph Lundgren was a good choice for ROCKY or Mr. T. for Rocky III. Carl Weathers was an afterthought when Ken Norton fell out. The same with Talia Shire and Richard Crenna (who was known as a comedic actor, not a serious
one).

Nobody wanted Eric Roberts over Ben Kingsley, but I believe it’s a vastly improved casting. The point is, you either believe in me and the project, setting your personal feelings aside, or you take a darker approach, which really serves no purpose since your insight and suggestions and overall enthusiasm are a great thrill for me to behold everyday I sign on.

Signing off –

Your friend,
Sly

+++++

SZoners,

The e-mail that started this thread is the first direct e-mail from Sly to SZoners. Sly makes some very valid points about the kneejerk reactions to the addition of Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent to the cast of “The Expendables.”

Up to this point the buzz for “The Expendables” has been unbelievably positive.   Everyone wants to see it NOW.   The buzz has continued to grow with a whole new generation of fans brought in by “Rocky Balboa” and “Rambo” joining long time Stallone fans as well as fans of action movies.  It was Sly who was able to get this project up and running and it is Sly’s vision that continues to guide it.  For us to think that because one particular actor has left or another has joined the cast and that this loss/addition will ruin the film is plain silly.  Sly is still the guiding force behind the project.  What kind of message does it send to the casual fan that drops in to the SZ to read some of the negative stuff posted lately?

One thing Sly is known for is discovering and bringing the best out of new/raw talent.  Think of the actors/actresses that got their big breaks with Sly: Armand Assante, Mr. T, Dolph Lundgren, Hulk Hogan, Rutger Hauer, Sandra Bullock and others.  I can remember the negative comments some were throwing out when screen legend Kirk Douglas dropped out of “First Blood” and was replaced by Richard Crenna after filming had started.   Some of these folks had their best roles under Sly’s guidance. I expect that this streak will continue.

When people ask me what Sly SHOULD do next, I always answer whatever he wants.  I’m a fan and will trust his instincts and judgment.  Think of all the doubters who didn’t believe in “Rocky.” Some of the same folks had the same lack of faith in “Rocky Balboa” and then “Rambo.” Sly is on a roll. I can’t wait to see what he does with “The Expendables” no matter who ends up in it.

best,

Craig