Category: 2004

Stallone Files Suit Over ‘Rocky’ Projects

Craig / / 2004, Rocky 6, The Contender

Stallone Files Suit Over ‘Rocky’ Projects
Fri May 14,10:59 PM ET
By GREG RISLING, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Actor Sylvester Stallone has sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and a production company, claiming they stymied his efforts to make a sequel and Broadway musical based on the “Rocky” film franchise.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeks unspecified damages against the studio and the production company. It also seeks an order allowing Stallone to proceed with a “Rocky VI” film.

“He looks at litigation as the very of very last resorts,” said Stallone‘s attorney, Gerald Margolis. “It means he’s extremely sad, disappointed and put out by all of this.”

MGM spokeswoman Janet Janjigian called the lawsuit “sad, desperate, pathetic and without merit.” She declined further comment.

The lawsuit also names as a defendant the former firm of Chartoff-Winkler Productions. A call seeking comment from the company’s successor, Chartoff Productions, was not immediately returned.

Stallone alleges the defendants initially wanted to be involved in the development of a “Rocky” musical co-written by the actor. But MGM proposed keeping an unacceptable share of the potential profits. After Stallone balked, the studio allegedly said it would develop musicals based on the “Rocky” movies.

Stallone claims that he reached a tentative deal with MGM to make the “Rocky VI” movie, but the project was nixed after a producer allegedly demanded that his son direct the film.

Stallone also accused both defendants of pulling out of the musical and movie after learning he intended to co-produce and star in a boxing reality TV show called “The Contender.”

The series is scheduled to air in January, featuring amateur boxers as they advance from training camp through challenges in the ring. The winner will receive $1 million and a chance to become a professional prize fighter.

The suit claimed MGM retaliated by creating its own reality show called “The Real Rocky” with a similar plot. MGM, however, has said its show had been in the works for about a year.

– 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