On Feburary 9, 2009, X17OnLine posted several candids of Sly. You can check them out by clicking here.
Author: Craig
Rocky & Philly
On February 9, 2009, Mercury News.com posted “Let Freedom Ring: See Philadelphia on a Budget.” They ran the photo above with tips on what to see in the city without spending a fortune. Of course, this included places made famous by Sly/Rocky. You can read the whole piece here.
Edinho Maga’s “Rocky Balboa”
Edinho Maga who created the spectacular Rambo statue that was then picked up by Hollywood Collectibles and turned into a limited edition release is back. This time he has created an equally amazing statue of Rocky Balboa.
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Thanks to Edinho Maga for once again sharing his talents with us.
New Stallone Blog
Here’s a blog where a Stallone collector regularly posts new photos of his collection.
Why JCVD is not Expendable
TotalFilm.com has an excerpt from their interview with Jean-Claude Van Damme about why he turned down a role in “The Expendables.” Here’s what he had to say:
“Stallone gave me a part in his next movie,” he told us. “But I ask him about the subject, about the story.”
“He said, ‘You’re gonna make lots of money.’ I don’t want to hear that, I want to hear what was my character. He was unable to tell what it’s going to be.”
“[Stallone said:] ‘You know, uh, well, the fighting will be good.’ [So I said:] ‘Sly, what is my character?’ So I didn’t do the movie.”
I can understand Van Damme wanting to know about his character, but since Sly is writing the piece and would adapt each character to the actor, perhaps Van Damme should have taken a leap of faith and signed on. The full interview with Jean-Claude Van Damme can be found in Total Film magazine.
Rocky’s Best Opponents
William Russo, over at the Bleacher Report, takes a look at “The Best and Worst Opponents of Rocky Balboa.” There’s an online poll and right now Apollo and Clubber are at at 30% with Drago close behind at 28%. Thunderlips [2%], Tommy Gunn [6%], and Mason Dixon [4%] are lagging way behind.
Quick Clip on ET
Entertainment Tonight has a quick clip of Sly doing some quick shopping. He shows up at about the 1:12 mark.
“Rocky” Honored Again
Former Lightweight boxing champ, Sean O’Grady, was interviewed recently by Ring Sports. When asked what is his favorite book or movie about boxing replied:
Sly Stallone did a wonderful job on the Rocky Movies. My favorite one is the first. He was terrific and did a great job presenting the struggles. The first Rocky had so much depth to it. Great!
Who can argue with the champ? You can read the full interview here.
Out for a Walk
On February 7, 2009, Tiscali.co.uk posted this photo of Sly.
Bill Pruitt’s Meeting with Sly
SZoner, Bill Pruitt, pictured above with Sly sent in this photos and a really cool report of his most recent meeting with Sly.
Hi Craig,
You posted on the StalloneZone about Sly meeting with Danny DeVito last Wednesday night. What happened afterward was a great experience for me.
I was painting at Universal Citywalk in the spot I’m always at which is right across from the Bucca di Beppo restaurant [where Sly met with Danny Devito]. I had heard beforehand that Sly was gonna be there. I saw him go in and then when he was coming out about 2 hours later, I got his attention and asked him to come over to see my “Rambo” painting. Sly had seen it in “Majestic Living” magazine, but had never seen the original. Sly went under the ropes and walked over with me to see it up close on the easel.
I have been working on it, doing changes in the bow and arrow scene with a couple of weeks work left. Sly liked it and asked me the price. I told him and to my surprise, he said “you got a deal” and purchased it on the spot, giving me a down payment right there.
It was funny, I asked him to find his name SLY in it and he looked for about 3 seconds and wanted me to show him. He thought the background explosion should be bigger and higher [and I agree] so I will do that. Sly said the explosion was symbolic of Rambo himself meaning he’s on the verge of exploding with all his pent up anger. He was also referring to his own Rambo painting he did that had that expression/feeling in it. It was also funny, I pointed out the Burmese soldier that is closest in the painting was the likeness of the one Rambo decapitates on the Jeep. He said he has that head at home and whenever he sees it it scares him. Sly said he also has the wooden cross bracelet from Rambo when I pointed that out in the painting. He referred to his weight in Rambo and said he’ll never be that heavy again.
I told him I wanted to make sure the painting is completed before he leaves for “The Expendables” and surprisingly he said that won’t happen til July or August. I also showed him my “First Blood” (with mountain in background) original painting. He was interested in it as well, but said he’ll think about that one. Regarding the painting he just purchased, I will either contact Sly or he or his business partner Kevin will contact me soon. Also, thanks to Kevin for taking the photos. By the way, I told Sly these photos are for the StalloneZone. He liked that and said “great!”
Although a crowd was gathering (there were fans, press people and security guards), Sly was kind to take his time with me and my art. In all, he was there about 10 minutes. When Sly purchased my first painting in 1987 (when I was living in Missouri), that was a definite highlight and him choosing me to do the art for SLY magazine years later was a definite highlight. I have to say what happened Wednesday night was the best. Thanks again Sly.
Thanks to Bill for sharing this cool story!