Craig and the “Rocky Balboa” Blog

Craig and the Rocky Balboa Blog

A few weeks ago I posted MGM is in the SZONE! and discussed conversations that I’d had with representatives from MGM and Sylvester Stallone‘s office. At that time I wrote: “I’m not sure what role the StalloneZone will play in the official promotion of “Rocky Balboa”

Earlier this week, this was posted on the ROCKY BALBOA BLOG: Stay Tuned… The Rocky Balboa Blog will soon be updated with more great content and a brand new home www.StalloneZone.com

As you can imagine, I’ve been bombarded with e-mails from fans asking questions… so here’s the deal:

  • I will be hosting the Rocky Balboa Blog. I was contacted by Sly‘s rep who verified Sly is very much aware of the SZ and SZoners around the world. The Rocky Balboa Blog will be regularly updated with exclusive photos, news, interviews and more. Our first update will appear soon!
  • The StalloneZone will continue to compliment Sly’s official site. You’re still going to get regular StalloneZone updates, exclusives and more!
  • The road to December 22, 2006 is going to be a fun one. I hope that you’re coming along for the ride!

    – Craig

MGM is in the SZONE! An Update of Sorts…

Two weeks ago I received an e-mail from a representative from Sylvester Stallone‘s office. This led to some phone calls where I was told that Sly was very much aware of the dedication and job that I had done over the past ten years in creating and running the StalloneZone. I was also told that Sly appreciates the positive atmosphere, excitement and support shown by SZoners.

Those e-mails and phone calls led to discussions with a rep from MGM about how the SZ could become involved in the promotion of “Rocky Balboa“.

Longtime SZoners will remember the contests that we ran to help promote “Driven”and so I assumed that we could do some things along those lines… and maybe on an even bigger scale.

Interestingly enough, about the same time that all of this was going on, I received e-mails and photos from Sage Stallone.

This led some folks on the message boards to post or even e-mail me about “my connections” and how I could use them to benefit “us.” I started to receive business offers, people requesting autographs, money, asking that I forward scripts to Sly, that I try to get a private screening of Rocky Balboa with Sly for SZoners

Whew! Someone, please stop the madness!

I’m not sure what role the SZ will play in the official promotion of “Rocky Balboa“. At the very least things will continue as they have for the last ten years — being the best fan site possible.

December 22, 2006 will be here before we know it. In the mean time, let’s continue to get the word out that Rocky is Back.

See you on the message boards!


– Craig Zablo

 

MGM is in the SZONE!

Earlier this week I was contacted by representatives of MGM and Sylvester Stallone‘s office. I was informed that Sly is very much aware of the StalloneZone. In the course of the week I’ve exchanged several e-mails and phone calls with different individuals. Needless to say, it’s been an interesting week.

I’m sure that some of you new SZoners are skeptical. Long time SZoners know the care that I take to insure that I post only news and not speculation, rumors or lies.

Although it’s too early to say more, I can say that there could be some very exciting things in store for us between now and the “Rocky Balboa” release date of December 22, 2006.

I’m hoping that I can say more soon.

In the mean time, continue to get the word out that Rocky is Back. I’ve always said that Sly has the greatest fans in the world. Now we’ll get a chance to prove it.

See you on the message boards!


– Craig Zablo

“Little Marie” Suing Sly

Actress Jodi Letizia has filed suit against Sylvester Stallone and MGM Films alleging breach of contract. Her complaint alleges that she was promised a chance to reprise the role of “Marie,” a part that she played in several “Rocky” films. Letizia first played “Little Marie,” as a 12-year-old neighborhood girl who Rocky tried to keep out of trouble. She also worked on “Rocky II,” “Rocky III” and “Rocky V.”

For the upcoming “Rocky Balboa” actress Geraldine Hughes was hired to play Marie who has an expanded role in the sequel.

Letizia alleges that she was first offtered the role and accepted. According to her complaint she canceled other work, including a one-woman show, to be available for “Rocky Balboa” filming. It wasn’t until Geraldine Hughes had been cast that Letizia heard “through the grapevine” that she wasn’t getting the role. She is asking for damages in excess of $50,000 for monies she would have earned by acting in the film.

For the full report click HERE. – Craig

Gerardo Moreno’s New Stallone Art!

Gerardo Moreno checks in to the SZ from time to time with some of the nicest Stallone art that you’ll find anywhere.

Gerardo sent me an e-mail saying that the two pieces of art shown below were sent to the SZ, to share with Stallone fans worldwide. That’s got to be the best Rocky VI teaser yet!

If you’d like to see more of Gerardo‘s work; he specializes in illustrations [traditional and digital], graphic design, as well as sculpture and photography; then check out his website and tell him I sent you! – Craig

“Rocky Balboa” Teaser Hits the Net

Rocky Balboa Teaser Hits the Net

The first teaser trailer for Rocky Balboa was posted at Sly’s Official Site [SylvesterStallone.com].

Of course other movie sites [Ain’t It Cool News, JoBlo.com, Chud.com, etc.] posted the news of the trailer’s release. This flooded Sly’s site with traffic and temporarily shut down the trailer. This led to speculation that the trailer had been posted by “accident” and pulled.

This isn’t the case. Here’s what Simon, the webmaster of SylvesterStallone.com had to say:

Hi Craig

Just to let you know that no one has posted the Rocky Balboa trailer by accident! 😀

 

 

The sheer volume of traffic must have overwhelmed the site, we’ll have it back up as soon as possible..

Webmaster
The Official Sylvester Stallone Website

Thanks to Simon for giving SZoners the inside scoop! – Craig

Bill Pruitt and his Rocky Balboa Painting!

SZoner, Bill Pruitt, checked in last week with a new Rambo painting.

This week he drops in with some paintings that appeared in Sly magazine.

Take it away, Bill!

Hi Craig,
Here are the pics working on issues 2 and 3 and with the original paintings from issues 2 and 3 separately along with a pic of the boxing commission piece where I put myself in there twice (on both ends).

Sly laughed  when I pointed that out to him. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks.
Bill

Thanks to Bill for once again sharing his talents with us! – Craig

SZoner Attend “Rocky Balboa” Filming

SZoner, Bridget Gennett was lucky enough to not only attend the Vegas filming of  “Rocky Balboa,” where she met Sly, Frank, and Burt Young, but she was also kind enough to send us a report with pictures.

You’d think that would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, right? Not for Bridget who
sent me the following:

Hi Craig,

I made it home to Philly and got these shots of Sly on the set in the Italian Market.
Thought you might like to see them? Can’t wait for the movie to come out!

Have a great day,

Bridget