Abs-solutely!

Anyone who thought SYLVESTER STALLONE’s age might be a factor against him returning to the ring for the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise had their doubts crushed when he got into the ring. Sly trained hard and it shows. We’re just two days away from the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise which hits theaters Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.
-Craig Zablo

For a larger version of this image click HERE!

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: Can you tell us about your decision to make Rocky a widower?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: In the beginning of this film, “Rocky Balboa,” I thought if his life is still intact then you really don’t have a, a launching pad, a starting off point. But, if the most precious thing is taken away from you and your stability is askew, your best years supposedly have come and gone and you’re alone. Alone full of grief, full of rage, full of anger, you know, what do I do now? What’s the last chapter of my life? There is your starting off point. And I think that people need a mountain to climb. And I also read about a few men who, you know, in their late 50s, who decided to climb the seven largest peaks in the world just to, you know, do it. Well this is literally going out and trying to find a mountain to climb, which is going to really change, not just his life, but the lives of the people around him.

Also be sure to check out Sly’s answers to fan questions from around the world at Ain’t It Cool News!

6 New "Rocky Balboa" CLIPS!

Sneak peaks of “Rocky Balboa” are hitting all around the country! Postive reviews are rolling in and the premiere is next week! Life is great!! Here are some additional “Rocky Balboa” video clips!
-Craig Zablo

Rocky Meets Robert At Work – 1:24

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Rocky & Paulie At Ice Rink – 1:38

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Mason & Old Trainer – 1:10

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Convincing Rocky to fight Mason – 1:23

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Rocky & Marie: Fighters Fight – 1:11

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Ready to Train – 0:52

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Trading Old Pain For New Pain

Mason “The Line” Dixon [ANTONIO TARVER] lands some “hurtin’ bombs” of his own when he and Rocky Balboa [SYLVESTER STALLONE] stand toe-to-toe fighting for much more than a title!
-Craig Zablo

For a larger version of this image click HERE!

The final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres Friday, December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE.

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: Did George Foreman have any influence on that decision that Rocky could still fight professionally?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: Well, that, George Foreman! George Foreman gives Rocky a great credibility. So does Larry Holmes, he’s 53, or 54 fighting. There are a couple of fighters today living out. The oldest one is 58, I believe, Sol Mamby for real. So it’s happened. They believe that Sonny Liston was almost 50 years old and fought Mohammed Ali and, you know, lied about it. But the point is as, as it’s said in Rocky, “They just want to prove that the last thing to age is the heart.” And this is just, you know, a symbolic gesture that when you’re young at heart you’re basically in the game.

Sly fans will also want to check out Round 11 of the great question and answer session that Sly is delivering each day at AIN’T IT COOL NEWS! Click HERE to get there!
-Craig Zablo

Sam Hiti’s Rambo Art

Longtime  SZoners  probably  remember  when  I first linked to Sami Hiti’s Rambo drawings. Two of them, along  with some of Sam’s other drawings, are now available on e-bay. Click HERE to see what’s available!

Sam  Hiti  is  the  Xeric  Award-Winning  creator  of  the critically acclaimed Tiempos Finales graphic novel (optioned  as a film by Universal Studios/Focus Films).  Sam is currently hard at work finishing up his next book Death-Day.  Sam has also illustrated the Official Comic Book Adaptation for A Series of  Unfortunate  Events Movie  from  Nickelodeon,  a  Nike  comic  project,  worked  with  and  created illustrations for the New York Times,  Disney Magazine and his creator owned work, Gallows Noose, Phenoms, and Long Dark Train! His latest work Ghoulash, shows some of his best sketches to date!

Hopefully a lucky SZoner will end up with one of them! Below is my piece by Sam! – Craig

“Rocky Balboa” Trading Cards and Early Showing Info

I  first  met  Miguel  Insignares a few years ago at a comic book convention. He was promoting work that he’d done for the “Dawn of the Dead remake. Miguel was very approachable and cool. So when I found out  that  Miguel was behind the “Rocky” limited edition card set, I was thrilled. I knew they’d picked the right guy for the job. I just received an e-mail from Miguel and SZoners are going to love this… especially if they live within driving distance of Tampa.


Hello Craig,

Hope all is well. We are very excited about our upcoming Rocky Balboa trading cards and to celebrate we want  to invite  you  and  fellow StalloneZoners to a FREE Rocky Balboa Sneak Preview Wednesday, Dec. 13th  at  7:30PM  in  Tampa!! They MUST call our satellite office 813-832-1717 to reserve their free passes! (This  is  a  limited  time  offer and available while they last, one two-person ticket per call.) Tickets will be available for pick-up beginning Monday, December 11th at 9 AM.

In  addition,  we  will  have a look-alike contest!! — Come dressed up as ANY Rocky character from any of the movies and you will be eligible for cool prizes!!

Check out our website www.mig.biz, register for our newsletter, and call for more info!

Hope to see you all there!

-Miguel A. Insignares
MIG.BIZ,LLC


Click on the photo above for easier reading!  Thanks to Miguel for the update! I can’t wait to see the cards! – Craig

As Real As It Gets

Rocky [SYLVESTER STALLONE] takes a hard shot from Mason Dixon [ANTONIO TARVER] when the final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise hits theatres on December 20, 2006. Written and directed by SYLVESTER STALLONE. Sly and former light heavyweight champ, Antonio Tarver traded real blows in an effort to make Rocky’s last fight his most realistic.
-Craig Zablo

Photo by: John Bramley

2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., and Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

And now as an added bonus, an interview question and answer from Sly!

QUESTION: What motivated you to bring back Rocky for a final chapter?

SYLVESTER STALLONE: I just didn’t like the way the last one ended. Truthfully I thought the last one it, it just wasn’t over, you know, you think it’s over, and you really go back and you rehash it in your own mind like an athlete. You go, “God, you know, maybe I just retired too soon. Maybe Rocky just retired too soon.” And yeah, someone told him he had problems. He had health problems. He, he had a little brain damage, but he never even had a second opinion. He just automatically assumed it. We do have our ups and downs, and it was a down side of his life. But I think that the real affirmation of life is what comes after that? Do you come out of that valley or not, you know?

Sly fans will also want to check out the great questions and answers that Sly is delivering each day at AIN’T IT COOL NEWS! Click HERE to get there!
-Craig Zablo