Author: Craig

Burt Reynolds in “Champs”

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Champs

Archerd: Burt Reynolds disabled
 By Army Archerd, Daily Variety Senior Columnist

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) – BURT REYNOLDS is in a wheelchair for his entire role in “Champs” for WB. He plays a racecar-team owner, injured in a race. He says, “I’m the slowest in the fastest sport in the world.”

Director RENNY HARLIN says he has the added challenge of directing two helmers who star in the pic: SYLVESTER STALLONE and REYNOLDS. STALLONE also scripted and is a producer along with HARLIN and ELIE SAMAHA.

HARLIN admits JOHN FRANKENHEIMER’s 1966 ``Grand Prix” was a classic car-racing pic, and he spoke to FRANKENHEIMER for advice before starting.

HARLIN said, “I’m going to try not to embarrass myself. I’m trying to make the ‘Matrix’ of race car movies.”

He says today’s technology will make it possible to convert the film to life like no other. F’rinstance, a periscope camera that sees exactly what the driver sees, from steering wheel onward, and digitally-created car crashes impossible for even the most daring of stunt drivers.

Toronto allowed “Champs” to use its inner city race route; in fact, HARLIN was talking to me between takes from the track, in the middle of the city. Toronto is very happy to cooperate with film companies (especially one budgeted at $70 million). “Champs” is only one of several U.S. companies currently filming up there. HARLIN says hotels and restaurants are filled with Hollywood filmmakers.

HARLIN wants us to know that STALLONE has fine-tuned this script, as he had “Rocky.” For many years, SLY‘s told me of his ambition to make a race car film. And yes, STALLONE drives (180 mph) on camera. But HARLIN claims, just as “Rocky” was not about boxing, “Champs” is not about car racing; it’s a drama about people who are driven (you should pardon the expression).

In addition to STALLONE and REYNOLDS, the ensemble piece stars TIL SCHWEIGER, KIP PARDUE, ROBERT SEAN LEONARD, STACY EDWARDS, GINA GERSHON and CHRISTIAN de la FEUNTE — and young model ESTELLE WARREN who was spotted by HARLIN on GQ‘s May (un)cover, which proclaimed her “The Next Big Thing.” HARLIN agrees.

– Craig Zablo

Maybe They Call It “Rocky Road”

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Driven

STALLONE RACING MOVIE GETS STARTED
by MIKE HARRIS
AP MOTORSPORTS WRITER
JULY 14, 2000

TORONTO (AP) — Maybe they can call it “Rocky Road.”

SYLVESTER STALLONE, who portrayed underdog Rocky Balboa in a series of popular movies, is now hoping the same magic that worked for boxing can be translated to Champ cars.

SLY, whose original idea of a movie about Formula one never came to fruition, has written a script and put together an independent deal to make a movie tentatively titled “Driven.” He will also produce the movie, which is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2001.

The story will revolve around STALLONE‘s character, an aging racing star, being brought back to mentor a budding star [KIP PARDUE]. BURT REYNOLDS will play a cantankerous team owner, while ESTELLA WARREN will be STALLONE‘s love interest.

Some initial scene-setting filming was done earlier this year during the race weekend in Long Beach, Calif., but the action is almost nonstop this week in Toronto as Championship Auto Racing Teams puts on its 11th Molson Indy.

RENNY HARLIN, who directed STALLONE in his last big hit, “Cliffhanger,” in 1993, will also direct this project.

HARLIN said the Rocky film saga parallels “Driven” in many ways.

“Rocky wasn’t a movie about boxing and this won’t be a movie about cars going around the track,” he said. “It won’t be a documentary, but since we followed racing all our lives, we don’t want to take liberties with things that could never happen.”

During a press conference to introduce the cast, Reynolds got the biggest laugh.

Asked why STALLONE sought him out for the role of the team owner, Reynolds said: “BURGESS MEREDITH was dead.”

MEREDITH played STALLONE‘s crusty trainer-manager in three “Rocky” films.

The rest of the cast includes GINA GERSHON, ROBERT SEAN LEONARD, STACY EDWARDS, TIL SCHWEIGER, CRISTIAN de la FUENTE and BRENT BRISCOE. Several current CART stars including MICHAEL ANDRETTI, JUAN MONTOYA and DAN FRANCHITTI will also have cameo roles.

– Craig Zablo

SLY TALKING “ROCKY VI”…

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Rocky VI

SLY TALKING ROCKY VI…

The following item appeared in the June 30, 2000 issue of USAToday:

Stars learn the phrase ‘Never say never’

By Josh Chetwynd and Andy Seiler, USA TODAY

Hit movies from the ’80s and early ’90s – and the actors who became stars in them – are trying to revive the magic.

Harrison Ford is waiting for a script from M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense) for a fourth Indiana Jones. Sharon Stone is ready to do Basic Instinct 2. Arnold Schwarzenegger is returning for a third Terminator. Sylvester Stallone is “in talks” for Rocky 6. Paul Hogan is shooting a third “Crocodile” Dundee. And Under Siege 3 is being developed for Steven Seagal.

Many of the stars vowed they’d never go back. But now, with the possible exception of Ford, their signature characters are their best bet for a career boost.

“Their careers have not been as great as they once were,” says syndicated columnist Marylin Beck. “So they are more susceptible to offers to a sequel that – on the way up – they said they wouldn’t do.”

More old favorites might be returning without their original stars. Planet of the Apes is returning with Mark Wahlberg in the Charlton Heston role.
Several producers are considering another Fletch, but someone younger than Chevy Chase likely would star. And writers are working on the script for Pink Panther 10, though attempts with Alan Arkin, Ted Wass and Roberto Benigni in the late Peter Sellers’ role failed.

Why the rush to bring back old movies? Hollywood is not making good new ones, Beck says. “Ask somebody, ‘Seen any good movies this year?'” and their list probably begins and ends with Erin Brockovich and Gladiator. You have to hunt out the art houses to find the foreign films to watch a decent story. So Hollywood leans more and more on the tried and true.”

Rocky VI anyone? Thanks to Andrew for posting this item on the SZ message board as well!

– Craig Zablo

(July 02, 2000)

Factoid of Love

Craig / / 2000, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone

Movieline contains a piece called “100 Factoids of Love” by LEIGH NILES.

Factoid #49 [with a small picture of SLY and JENNIFER]: SYLVESTER STALLONE broke up with his girlfriend of five years, model JENNIFER FLAVIN, by FedEx-ing her a letter in 1994, when he began dating ANGIE EVERHART; a year and a half later, he went back to FLAVIN and she married him.

“Rocky VI” Anyone?

Craig / / 2000, Rocky VI

The following item appeared in the June 30, 2000 issue of USAToday:

Stars learn the phrase ‘Never say never’
By JOSH CHETWYND and ANDY SEILER, USA TODAY

Hit movies from the ’80s and early ’90s – and the actors who became stars in them – are trying to revive the magic.

HARRISON FORD is waiting for a script from M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN [“The Sixth Sense”] for a fourth Indiana Jones. SHARON STONE is ready to do Basic Instinct 2. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER is returning for a third Terminator. SYLVESTER STALLONE is “in talks” for Rocky 6. PAUL HOGAN is shooting a third “Crocodile” Dundee. And Under Siege 3 is being developed for STEVEN SEAGAL.

Many of the stars vowed they’d never go back. But now, with the possible exception of FORD, their signature characters are their best bet for a career boost.

“Their careers have not been as great as they once were,” says syndicated columnist MARYLIN BECK. “So they are more susceptible to offers to a sequel that – on the way up – they said they wouldn’t do.”

More old favorites might be returning without their original stars. Planet of the Apes is returning with MARK WAHLBERG in the CHARLTON HESTON role. Several producers are considering another Fletch, but someone younger than CHEVY CHASE likely would star. And writers are working on the script for Pink Panther 10, though attempts with ALAN ARKIN, TED WASS and ROBERTO BENIGNI in the late PETER SELLERS‘ role failed.

Why the rush to bring back old movies? Hollywood is not making good new ones, BECK says. “Ask somebody, ‘Seen any good movies this year?'” and their list probably begins and ends with Erin Brockovich and Gladiator. You have to hunt out the art houses to find the foreign films to watch a decent story. So Hollywood leans more and more on the tried and true.”

Rocky VI anyone? Thanks to Andrew for posting this item on the SZ message board as well!

– Craig Zablo

Sly and a Fan

Craig / / 2000, Sly Fan

Vince Bernatowicz sent in the above picture with the following:

“Craig, I found the following text and (above) picture on iWon.com‘s “My Brush With Fame” section (it was posted on Tuesday, 6/27/00). Please keep up the great work – I love your website!”

Susan S. from Georgetown, KY and SYLVESTER STALLONE

My friends and I go to the Kentucky Oaks[the day before the Kentucky Derby] every year. We were taking a break from the crowd when I spotted SYLVESTER and party coming down from ‘millionaire’s row’. I didn”t want to act like a ‘typical fan’, so I politely waited to ask if I could take a picture. He replied, “Well, don’t you want to be in it?” I had two pictures taken with him and thanked him.

Vince, thanks for taking the time to email the picture and kind words. It’s STALLONE fans such as yourself that make the SZ what it is!

best,

– Craig Zablo

“Champs” DVD News

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Champs

In the June 23, 2000 issue of Entertainment Weekly there is an article about special edition DVDs by SCOTT BROWN entitled, “Isn’t That Special.” The article discusses directors who favor the extra treatment their films can get on DVD as well as some of the extras the discs include. In addition to the mention of the “Cliffhanger” special edition DVD which is now available, the article also quotes RENNY HARLIN about what we can look forward to on the “Champs” DVD! RENNY is “already planning custom photography for the DVD release of his next movie, the SYLVESTER STALLONE car-racing actioner tentatively titled “Champs” – though shooting hasn’t yet begun.” “The audience will be able to choose whether they want to watch the actor driving or look at what the actor is seeing through the windshield,” says HARLIN, who adds that he adores DVD and the creative flexibility it affords him. “I’d say I have about 100 percent creative control (over my special editions)… I’ll take the blame and I’ll take the glory.”

This absolutely is good news!

-Craig Zablo

Sly and Tom Cruise in “Death Race 3000”?

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Unmade Films

Cinescape.com‘s Insider News and Rumors‘ column reports today that TOM CRUISE continues to move forward with his “Death Race 3000” project. The report states that TOM CRUISE will not only produce but probably star in “Death Race 3000” as well. The film is set to be directed by PAUL ANDERSON (“Soldier,” “Event Horizon”) from a script by JONATHON LAWTON (“Pretty Woman,” “Under Siege”). According to the report LAWTON “would really like to get SYLVESTER STALLONE to come back to reprise his role as Machine-Gun Joe Viterbo” from the original “Death Race 2000.” LAWTON is quoted as saying, “Machine-Gun Joe is definitely part of the story. It would be a great casting decision.”

One would have thought that “Death Race 2000” would be one of the least likely movies from SLY‘s filmography to get a sequel… but, and this is a BIG but, if TOM CRUISE does decide to produce and star in “DR3000,” then SLY should jump on board!

– Craig Zablo

Two Tidbits

Craig / / 2000

The Star contains the following item in JANET CHARLTON‘s StarPeople section: SYLVESTER STALLONE‘S wife JENNIFER has put him on a curfew. He wears an alarm watch set for 1 a.m. when he’s out with the boys. When the alarm sounds, SLY heads for home…

+++++

In the June 20, 2000 issue of The National Enquirer there is a tidbit about SYLVESTER STALLONE in an article by ALAN SMITH, titled “Lust and Love in H’wood: Producer Bares All in Tattletale Book.” The article discusses American Rhapsody, the new book, by JOE ESZTERHAUS. ESZTERHAUS the well-known screenwriter of movies such as “Basic Instinct,” “Flashdance” and “F.I.S.T.” has written a tell-all account which has “Hollywood… quaking in their boots over the revelations.” According to the article, which provides a peek at some of the celebrities dissed or uh, discussed in the book; after the completion of “F.I.S.T.,” SLY “approached ESZTERHAUS and said that he wanted to be JESUS CHRIST in a movie.”

If the STALLONE incident is an example of a story that will “bare all and have Hollywood quaking”… I think that the book will go the way of “Showgirls!”

–Craig Zablo

 

TWO SLY TIDBITS!

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Champs, Cliffhanger, FIST
TWO SLY TIDBITS!

In the June 20, 2000 issue of The National Enquirer there is a tidbit about SYLVESTER STALLONE in an article by Alan Smith, titled “Lust and Love in H’wood: Producer Bares All in Tattletale Book.” The article discusses American Rhapsody, the new book, by Joe Eszterhaus. Eszterhaus the well-known screenwriter of movies such as “Basic Instinct,” “Flashdance, and “F.I.S.T.” has written a tell-all account which has “Hollywood… quaking in their boots over the revelations.” According to the article, which provides a peek at some of the celebrities dissed or uh, discussed in the book; after the completion of “F.I.S.T.,” SLY “approached Eszterhaus and said that he wanted to be Jesus Christ in a movie.”
If the Stallone incident is an example of a story that will “bare all and have Hollywood quaking”… I think that the book will go the way of “Showgirls!”
-Craig Zablo
In the June 23, 2000 issue of Entertainment Weekly there is an article about special edition DVDs by Scott Brown entitled, “Isn’t That Special.” The article discusses directors who favor the extra treatment their films can get on DVD as well as some of the extras the discs include. In addition to the mention of the “Cliffhanger” special edition DVD which is now available, the article also quotes Renny Harlin about what we can look forward to on the “Champs” DVD! Renny is “already planning custom photography for the DVD release of his next movie, the Sylvester Stallone car-racing actioner tentatively titled “Champs” – though shooting hasn’t yet begun.” “The audience will be able to choose whether they want to watch the actor driving or look at what the actor is seeing through the windshield,” says Harlin, who adds that he adores DVD and the creative flexibility it affords him. “I’d say I have about 100 percent creative control (over my special editions)… I’ll take the blame and I’ll take the glory.”
This absolutely is good news!
-Craig Zablo

(June 20, 2000)