Author: Craig

New “Rocky” Figures Coming

Craig / / 2006, Rocky

Jeremy Padawer [Vice President of Boy’s Entertainment Marketing at Jakks Pacific, the 3rd largest toy company in the US, behind Mattel and Hasbro] has posted some photos of the new Rocky figures which will be released later this year and in 2007. The faces are covered because these are just prototypes.

Here’s more from Jeremy: “When I say we’re doing Rocky, I mean we’re going ALL OUT. We’re going to create R.A. style figures for the entire Rocky series – Rocky I through Rocky Balboa (VI). In total, I estimate that we will develop and release approximately 45-55 figures. The goal will be to not only celebrate the most important characters in the Rocky series (Clubber Lang, Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa, Ivan Drago and about 15-20 more that fit into the obvious category), but we will also recreate key secondary and tertiary characters!”

I think it’s cool that Jeremy is a long time fan of the Rocky series and that we’re going to see figures from all of the movies. Jakks is a major player in the action figure market [my youngest son must have hundreds of the wrestling figures] and I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

For the full report, click HERE.

– Craig

Sly to Punch Up Casino

Craig / / 2006, Planet Hollywood

Here’s an excerpt from an article entitled Casino Dreams Hitched to the Stars by Suzette Parmley [The Philadelphia Inquirer, Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News]:

Dec. 30–Assembling teams to develop casinos apparently is a lot like choosing up sides for a pickup basketball game.

Good athletes (especially former pros) are in demand, everyone wants a celebrity (pop stars and actors), but it is critical to be solid down the lane (high-profile lawyers and developers).

Planet Hollywood will have Sylvester Stallone to punch up its Riverwalk Casino.

For the full article, click [HERE] – Craig

Ruling in Favor of Sly Over Sly

Craig / / 2006, Sly Magazine

A federal judge ruled that there’s little chance people will confuse Sylvester Stallone‘s Sly magazine with a foot fetish web site of the same name. The web site had filed a $1 million copyright infringement suit against Sly’s magazine.

“There is a little difference between shoe fetish and Mr. Sylvester Stallone,” Manhattan Judge Richard Casey said while ruling in favor of Sly publishers American Media. This ruling allowed Sly and American Media to continue publication.

However, American Media attorney Susan Coleman was quoted as saying, “The last issue is on the newsstand and there will be no additional issues.”

You can read more about the ruling HERE, and HERE, among other places on the web. – Craig

“Rocky” the Most Glaring Omission

Craig / / 2006, Rocky

Each year, since 1989, the National Film Registry has selected 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films” for preservation in the Library of Congress. Phil Villarreal, in an article for the Arizona Daily Star, takes a look at the films that haven’t yet made it. Here are a couple of excepts.

Even more intriguing than the list of preserved films is the number of movies that haven’t yet made the cut. This Web site lists the films that have been named to the registry, and reading through it is enough to enrage any movie lover.

The most glaring omission, especially after the entry of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” is plain ol’ “Rocky” (1976), not only a best-picture Oscar winner, but the inspiration for countless sports films and basically any movie with a training montage. Guess those contributions, along with the launch of the career of Sylvester Stallone, an enduring action icon, wasn’t “significant” enough for the registry.

For the full article, click [HERE]. – Craig

Dolph Lundgren Praises Sly

Craig / / 2006, Celebs, Rocky 4

In an interview at UGO.com, Dolph Lundgren praised Sly in the following exchange:

UGO: You’ve worked with great directors over the years – Roland Emmerich, John Woo, Russell Mulcahey, even Sylvester Stallone – were there any that inspired you more than others during your career?

DOLPH: Sly Stallone was extremely organized and well-prepared, the script – and dialogue – was number one for him. He wrote, directed, and starred in Rocky IV, that’s one hell of a workload. Sly was very sensitive to the “guy in the street’s” taste.

I love it that he spoke of Sly so highly and first. Sly must have really made an impact on Dolph. For the full interview click [HERE].

– Craig

Sly Directs with Passion

Craig / / 2005, Rocky Balboa, Sly Fan

We’ve received several EXCLUSIVE pics from the Rocky Balboa filming in Las Vegas this past week. Ucon Cornelius took the above pic [as well as several more that we’ll post].

Here’s what Ucon Cornelius had to say:

Sly directs with passion. High above to the right, Sly has the monitors transferred above on the enlarged screen –something he wouldn’t have access to–to view the dailies. – Ucon Cornelius

– Craig

Sly Drawing 4th Blood?

Craig / / 2005, Frank Stallone, John Rambo, Rocky 6, Rumors

Robert Sanchez from The Movie Reporter.com posted this on January 6th:

Sly Stallone and his brother Frank showed up at last nights VW shindig and we had to ask what was going on with these two [Rocky and Rambo – Craig] long rumored projects. To my surprise Stallone mentioned that he had meetings that same day regarding Rambo and that both projects are in the works.

For the full report click HERE.

Thanks to Jamie Eade for the tip! – Craig