Category: Celebs

Wepner vs Stallone

Craig / / 2003, Celebs, Rocky

Chuck Wepner, the fighter who helped inspired Sylvester Stallone‘s “Rocky” movies, plans to sue Sylvester Stallone because Sly has used his name over the years to promote the Rocky series. Sly has said that the Wepner – Ali title fight provided a spark of inspiration for the creation of Rocky.

Wepner is quoted as saying, “I have never gotten one penny from these movies which have made over $1 billion”… “The last straw was when he [Sly] was in Weehawken filming ‘Copland’ a few years ago and told me that he might have a part for me. I went up there, but nothing ever came of it.”

So 27 years after the release of “Rocky,” Chuck has decided to sue. And the last straw happened 7 years ago when Sly said he MIGHT have a part for Chuck.

I wonder, over the years, how many times Chuck has told people he was the inspiration for Rocky. I wonder how many autographs and speaking engagements were prompted because people knew of Chuck‘s connection to Rocky.

This is a pretty sad story.

– Craig Zablo

The Rock Picks “Rocky”

Craig / / 2003, Celebs, Honors, Rocky

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was recently asked by the Associated Press to name his favorite movies in several different genres. Here are The Rock’s answers as well as his comments on one of the films.

Buddy Film: “48 Hrs.,”

Western: “Unforgiven,”

Martial Arts: “Enter the Dragon,”

Adventure: “Raiders of the Lost Ark,”

Boxing: “Rocky,” The Rock said. “I love the story of a guy who fights the odds, and he doesn’t have to win — and he doesn’t win.”

Sci-Fi: “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,”

Scariest Action: “Predator,”

Funniest Action: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,”

I like The Rock as a wrestler and actor — and he obviously has great taste in movies as well! – Craig (Sept. 24, 2003)

Stallone and Diesel

Craig / / 2003, Celebs

In the September 1, 2003 issue of US Weekly there is an article entitled “Hollywood Take Two” by Elisa Lipsky-Karasz.

“It’s not just Freddy vs Jason, American Wedding and Terminator 3. Now even stars are getting their own sequels.”

Sly is paired with Vin Diesel… also included are Sandra Bullockand Katie Holmes,Dustin Hoffman and Adrien Brody, Demi Moore and Jennifer Garner and others.

– Craig Zablo

Sly Cautions Arnie About Perils of Politics

Craig / / 2003, Celebs

Sun Aug 31, 7:11 AM ET

VENICE, Italy (Reuters) – Arnold Schwarzenegger may be dead set on running for California state governor, but fellow action hero Sylvester Stallone has a few words of wisdom for him.

“I think it’s very dangerous waters,” the hero of the “Rambo” movies, “Rocky” and “The Specialist,” told Reuters in Venice during the 60th film festival here.

“In that particular field you can’t yell ‘action’ and ‘cut’ and ‘take two’ and ‘take three.’ It’s real.”

Schwarzenegger shocked California earlier this month when he announced on “The Tonight Show” that he would run for governor.

Stallone, who was in town to promote his latest movie “Spy Kids 3,” said he would rather battle it out on the silver screen.

“I personally think actors should remain actors, but I know he’s always had blind ambition for that, so maybe it’ll work out great for him.”
Stallone added that he was getting a kick out of making kids’ movies, but for those fans more keen on his action flicks, Stallone borrowed a phrase from Arnie: “I’ll be back.”

Bradshaw vs Stallone

Craig / / 2003, Celebs

In the August 25, 2003 issue of Sport’s Illustrated there a two articles presenting the case that “their” city is the better sports town.

The cities are Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The articles are by Sports Illustrated staff writers Austin Murphy and Michael Bambergerand are accompanied with this art, illustrated by Joe Giardello.

Thanks to Chris Zablo for the tip! – Craig Zablo