Hey, Those Guys Look Like Rocky!

Hey, Those Guys Look Like Rocky
In Spy Kids, Sylvester Stallone plays an unconventional four-part role to appease his inner child
By RICHARD CORLISST

uesday, Jul. 22, 2003 [From the Time OnLine edition]

He is the Toymaker, the brainy bad guy bent on ruling the cyberworld. He holds conferences with three advisers — a steely general, a bald scientist and a blissed-out hippie — all played by the one actor. Sylvester Stallone is simply the guest villain of Robert Rodriguez’s 3-D video game, but when the veteran star is onscreen, this Spy Kids plays like Sly Kids.”

Actors who partake in films like this or in animated films, like I did in Antz, often say, ‘I did it for my children,'” notes Stallone, who’s 57 but looks a fit and muscular 15 years younger. “Nah. You mean you did it for your inner child. Here I get to scream and act like a total fool and get paid for it. In a part like this, you really have to let loose and not worry that you hear the ‘acting police’ sirens looming in the background.”

Stallone had mentioned to Rodriguez that he had no movies in which he appears to show his older daughters, Sophia Rose, 6, and Sistine Rose, 5. As the director recalls, “I told him he’d get to be a hissable but redeemable bad guy and to play opposite one of the greatest actors: himself. We sent the kids an early videotape so they could see how cool their dad is.”

Or some might say “was,” for Stallone is at least a decade past his uber-hunk prime. Of his star vehicles after 1994, the top U.S. grosser (a modest $45 million) was the arty Cop Land. His last action film, D-Tox, hardly played in theaters at all.

As for Rocky and Rambo: those franchises are sooo last century. Stallone knows he’s lucky to have played two iconic heroes, but he calls it “the esoteric kiss of death, because you’re never going to be taken seriously. It’s like if John Wayne wanted to dance The Nutcracker. People would say, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t care how good you look in a tutu or how you are en pointe, I’m not buying it.'”

At 57, any man hears the whispers of career mortality. “You almost feel obligated to get depressed,” he says. “What nags at you is becoming warehoused — having your soul and your ambition put in cold storage.” Your ego too: it’s tough to fade gracefully to character-actor status after 25 years of stardom.

So he’ll be starring in and directing Rampart Scandal, about alleged cop corruption in the Tupac Shakur murder case. He’s also defying age and logic by planning a Rocky VI.

Clearly, the pug boxer is never far from Stallone. His home is festooned with Rocky arcana, including paintings by the actor. There’s also a photo, taken the day Baghdad fell, of a young Iraqi hoisting a U.S. flag with Rocky emblazoned on it. The image pleases and tickles the star: “You know the movie wasn’t playing in Iraq. Why would someone smuggle into the country a character that represents the American Dream? Did he have it under his bed thinking, I can’t wait to be liberated! It’s the first thing I’m pulling out!?”

In Hollywood, Stallone the star may be history. But in the rest of the world, he still helps make it.

— Reported by Desa Philadelphia/Los Angeles

From the Jul. 28, 2003 issue of TIME magazine  – Craig Zablo

Sly’s Denmark Interview

Steen [from Denmark] sent us the scan to the left and the translation of the interview which follows:


Ekstra Bladet, Denmark, May 30, 2003

I HATED RAMBO.

– I’ll never forget my first visit to Copenhagen in the mid eighties. I was on honeymoon with Brigitte and had been looking forward to experiencing her city. But my plane was vandalised by people who painted the words “Ho Chi Minh” and “Fascist” on it. And I received deaththreats.

– All this apparently because of my Rambo films. And at Harvard University, where I was going to receive an award, people poured animal blood on me.

– After a while it became too much. And I started to really hate the Rambo character. People apparently thought I was him, says Sylvester Enzio Stallone, 56, who was married for two years to Brigitte Nielsen.

– The so-called serious filmmakers has never really taken him seriously. And he’s often been laughed at. But Stallone himself has been doing most of the laughing…All the way to the bank. He’s so rich, it’s almost disgusting. Rambo really put him on the map and since then he’s been asking all the way up to $20 million to do roles that didn’t require him to speak much, but only to be a oneman army, who deals with bad guys his own way.

NO MORE RAMBO

Today Sly has a very different view of the Rambo films: – I don’t regret a thing. The films were huge hits. And back then they meant a great deal to the real Vietnam vets. I’m sure of that. Even if the films were only adventure films, I think they took away some of the pain, that those vets felt. Like an escape from reality. But for me, the Rambo films are a thing of the past.

– What do you think about guns?

– “I can’t say I like guns, but I do have guns at my house. You have got to be able to protect your home. Most Americans own guns. But I don’t want to be remembered as this war guerilla. I can offer so much more. Look at “Copland.” I’m not just into violent movies. And I was only payed $60,000.”

– Have you had any serious personal experiences?

– “Yes, my daughter was born with a weak heart but she had an operation and is fine today. An experience like that changes you. Every thought imaginable goes through your head. Anything from religion, moral and succes etc. Suddenly you realise how out of control you really are. You can’t do a thing in those situations. No matter how much money you have.”

– Are you a religious man?

– “I’d like to keep that to myself.”

– You say you don’t regret a thing, but are there films you are particularly proud of?

– “Yes, a film called ‘F.I.S.T.’ and also ‘Copland.’ In both cases I insisted on playing the leading roles. I’m good at sticking to my own core, no mater what people say.

– What about a film like “Cobra”?

– “Well, that was a long time ago. It’s an ok action film, but probably not the kind of thing I’d be doing today. But there has to be room for harmless entertainment.”

About his own looks he says: – I’m not good looking in the traditional sense. I have dogs eyes, my mouth is curved, my teeth aren’t out of a toothpaste commercial and my voice sounds like a cheap mafia guy. But somehow it all adds up, so I guess I’m doing ok.

– You are doing ok, Sly. To us B-movie fans, you are a god.


Thanks again to Steen for sharing! – Craig Zablo

SLY IN UK’S HOTDOG MAGAZINE

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the following:

I found this in the current issue of HOTDOG ( UK edition, volume3 number 2 ). It includes a piece that reads…

WHY MISS DIAZ… YOU’RE HIDEOUS
They’re Hollywood’s sexiest stars, but here they’re king of funny lookin.’ More than most passport pictures even…
STORY: Mark Wyatt

…It highlights actor’s who have transformed themselves for various roles. Among those featured are Sly StalloneTom CruiseBrad Pitt, Robert Deniro, ect…

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes for sending in the info!

– Craig Zablo (February 17, 2002)

STALLONEZONE AT DARK HORIZONS

On November 15th Dark Horizons ran the following item:

Rambo 4Over at StalloneZone, a radio report indicates “Cop Land” director James Mangold is on the top of Mirimax’s list to direct “Rambo 4” – a likely choice and here’s why: “After ‘Cop Land’ Miramx signed James Mangold to a four film contract. So far he’s done two. It was said that Harvey Weinstein was pleased with the teaming of Cop Land, and that he would love for Stallone and Mangold to work together again.” – Thanks to ABKing
(November 18, 2001)

SLY IN TOTAL FILM


Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the pics and quotes from TOTAL FILM (August 2001/issue 55)

  • “Ask him which movies he rates from the past, and he’ll list  First BloodNighthawksF.I.S.T. and Cop Land. Ask about the choices he’s likely to make in the future, and he’ll stress that he’s looking for more ensemble pieces, more character work. “
  • “There’s a kind of thrill at seeing something that came off the page being enacted before your very eyes as opposed to just being an actor for hire.”
  • “Next up he’s acting opposite Madeline Stowe as a mafia bodyguard wanting payback for his boss’ murder in Avenging Angelo, before carrying on down the revenge trail as a widower out for justice in Dolan’s Cadillac.”
  • “In fact neither the remake of Get Carter nor cop thriller Eye See You (aka Detox) look likely to get theatrical release over here (UK ).”
  • “His career did perk up momentarily , however, when racing movie Driven thrust him onto the winners podium as it took the number one spot at the US box office in April.”

Thanks to Jazz for sharing! – Craig Zablo  (September 3, 2001)

Sly InSyle

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes has checked in with another “heads-up” for SYLVESTER STALLONEfans:

In the June 2001 issue of InStyle magazine in the BODY + SOUL column there is a feature entitled … ‘ SHAPE SHIFTERS . It talks about physically prepping for roles.

There is a section called Hall of Gain: Expanding Their Range. “When it comes to actorly sacrifices for roles, sometimes the thighs have no limit.”

They list 5 actors/ actresses who have gained weight for roles . SLY is # 4…. SYLVESTER STALLONEsported 40 extra pounds in 1997’s “Cop Land.”

Thanks to Jazz for the tip! – Craig Zablo

SLY IN STYLE

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes has checked in with another “heads-up” for Sylvester Stallone fans:

In the June 2001 issue of In Style magazine in the BODY + SOUL column there is a feature entitled SHAPE SHIFTERS. It talks about physically prepping for roles.  There is a section called Hall of Gain: Expanding Their Range.

“When it comes to actorly sacrifices for roles, sometimes the thighs have no limit.”

They list 5 actors/ actresses who have gained weight for roles . Sly is # 4….

Sylvester Stallone sported 40 extra pounds in 1997’s Cop Land.

Thanks to Jazz for the tip! – Craig Zablo (May 22, 2001)

SZ and Warner Bros. “Driven” Contest Winners

and

PRESENT THE DRIVEN TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWERS & WINNERS

 

STALLONE TRIVIA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. SYLVESTER STALLONE plays Champ racer Joe Tanto in Driven. What is the name of the movie that starred SLY as a racer named Joe Viterbo?  DEATH RACE 2000

2. RENNY HARLIN is directing SLY in Driven. What is the name of the movie that first paired SLY and RENNY?  CLIFFHANGER

3. SLY wrote the screenplay for Driven. What was SLY‘s original title for the film?  CHAMPS

4. SLY is an accomplished actor, director, and screenwriter. What movie did SLY write that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?  ROCKY

5. SLY seems to like 5 letter names for his characters. Name three of his characters that have five letters in their last name and the name ends with an “o.”  RAMBO, TANGO and TANTO

6. Most people think that Rocky was SLY‘s first feature film screenplay that sold. It was his second! What was the name of his first?  PARADISE ALLEY

7. The “tag line” for Driven is “Welcome to the Human Race.” What was the tag line for SLY‘s last film, Get Carter“THE TRUTH HURTS”

8. SLY teams with an international cast in Driven. What actor made his US debut with SLY in Nighthawks?  RUTER HAUER

9. Actors and actresses who work with SLY quite often get noticed and move on to stardom [ANNE ARCHER, ARMAND ASSANTE, TOM SIZEMORE, BENJAMIN BRATT, etc.). Who was the actress who got her big break working with SLY in Demolition Man?  SANDRA BULLOCK

10. What is YOUR favorite SYLVESTER STALLONE movie, and why?  This one had no right/wrong answer and here are the movies that made the list (in alphabetical order): Cliffhanger, Cop Land, Daylight, First Blood, Lock Up, Lords of Flatbush, Over the Top, Rambo II, Rambo III, Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Tango & Cash.

 

The Winners!

1. Melissa Knollman 2. Marks Mail 3. Nicholas King 4. Kyle Riley 5. Tony Camm 6. Alan Sears 7. Jillian Decker 8. Troy Barwick 9. Crystal Coger 10. Mike Russo

I would like to thank Ms. Lifrieri and Warner Bros. for their assistance in making this contest possible. Winners can expect their posters in the next few weeks!

– Craig Zablo (April 1, 2001)

 

Sly in “Total Film’s Top 50 [Twice]


The March 2001 issue of Total Film contains some items of interest to STALLONE fans. In an article titled: “The 50 Greatest Movie Heroes of All Time! As Voted By You,” two of SLY’s portrayals made the list! Rocky Balboa clocked in at #30 and John Rambo followed at #40.

In another section called Best of the Best the following appears: – COP LAND ” An undisputed career best performance for STALLONE.”

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes for the pic and tip! – Craig Zablo

SZ Exclusive: “Cop Land” Wallpaper

Hennie Blaauw is a 26 year old who works as a 2D/3D animator at a company called Wicked Pixels, in Cape Town, South Africa. He’s also a competitive bodybuilder, and unlike most bodybuilders, his inspiration has always been SLY, and NOT Arnold!

Click on the image above to get to the full-size wallpaper! Thanks for sharing your talents once again, Hennie!

– Craig Zablo (September 2, 2000)