Author: Craig

“Rocky VI”: A Fighting Chance?

Craig / / 2004, Rocky 6

The May 14, 2004 issue of Entertainment Weekly contains an article by Liane Bonin which profiles movies caught in development hell. The movies profiled include The Simpsons, A Confederacy of Dunces, Watchmen, Foxy Brown and Rocky VI. The article is accompanied with a really cool Slycharacature by John Cuneo. Here’s what is said about Rocky VI:

PROJECT Rocky VI: The Italian Stallion returns to the ring.

HISTORY In 1999, Sylvester Stallone finished the script. [Rocky gets back in the ring for charity.] Recently he did a major revise, but MGM reportedly vetoed it. Stallone is said to be planning to sue the studio to regain the rights. [His reps would not comment.]

STATUS That’s all news to MGM. “It’s a project that has been discussed, but I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not,” says a studio spokesperson. “And we have no formal knowledge of a lawsuit.”

PROGNOSIS Whether or not he gets back on his feet, do fans really want to see a 57-year-old actor in shiny shorts?

And the answer to the last question is, “Yes, yes, we do!”

– Craig

Jazzman Checks In… With New Sly Art

Craig / / 2004, Celebs, Sly Fan

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes checked in with two new pieces of art that he created. The first is a cool little toon that he did showing the tough side of Sly. The second piece was inspired by the news that Quentin Tarantino may proceed with his screenplay “Inglorious Bastards” for his next movie. Naturally Jazz would love to see a role for Sly and came up with this character piece.

As always, Jazz, thanks for sharing!

– Craig Zablo

Sly in Entertainment Weekly

Craig / / 2003, Celebs, First Blood

The current double issue( April 30, 2004 # 762/763 ) Entertainment Weekly ‘ Summer Movie issue contains a couple of Sly items. Jazz sent in two pics and some excerpts…

THE BOYS WHO BURNED A BILLION DOLLARS, How two wild and crazy guys seduced stars for their fledgling studio, spent oodles of cash, and blew up a lot of stuff. Including their own white-hot careers. By DANIEL FIERMAN

“They promised him the film would shoot for three months, and it ended up [ delaying ] Rocky 3. He was really pissed off. One day, right in the middle of this small town in Canada, Sylvester started ranting and raving and swearing a blue streak, ” says Kotcheff.

Vajna was the one who saw something in the First Blood script, and they both agreed Sylvester Stallone, an actor fresh off Nighthawks, should star.
In 1985, the First Blood sequel turned into a money-spouting geyser: Rambo grossed $ 150 million–and yielded Rambo bedsheets, Rambo action figures, even, frighteningly, a Rambo Saturday morning cartoon.

” Sly was at the pool [ of the Hotel du Cap ] wit all these topless sunbathers surrounding him, and I pitch him the story and he says, ‘ I love it! I’m on board.’ And Mario said, ‘ Good ! Because I already ordered fireworks with the name of the movie on it.’ ” Later that evening, the title of de Souza’s film, Isobar, lit up the night sky.

– Craig