Category: Unmade Films

SYLVESTER STALLONE’S “THE PRIEST” in DEVELOPMENT

Craig / / 2001, TV, Unmade Films

“Stallone, Glenn Catch CBS’ Eye with ’02 Dramas” was the headline of Nellie Andreeva’s article in The Hollywood Reporter.  Here’s what Andreeva had to say about Sly’s project…

The network is finalizing a deal with Brad Grey Television for a project tentatively titled “The Priest,” which is based on an idea by Sylvester Stallone.

“The Priest” centers on a nonconformist priest in a big city, who helps both homeless and rich people with their problems, while struggling with personal problems of his own, including fidelity. The project is expected to get a premium script deal from CBS.

Brad Grey is in conversations with writer Cynthia Cidre (“The Mambo Kings”) to come on board and co-create the show with Stallone. Stallone will executive produce the project, and Jimmy Veres, who runs the television division of the actor’s Sylvester Stallone Co., will produce.

Stallone has been very active in television lately. He recently sold a NASCAR-themed pitch to NBC.

Stallone, who most recently co-starred in “Driven,” and his company are repped by ICM and Brillstein-Grey. Cidre is repped by WMA.

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Craig Zablo (October 6, 2001)

Paul Anderson Wants Sly to Return as Machine Gun Joe!

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, Death Race 2000, Unmade Films

On Tuesday, Dark Horizons posted information from a Q & A session with director PAUL ANDERSON. SLY fans will be excited to hear that ANDERSON‘s next project is “Death Race 3000” and that ANDERSON is confident that TOM CRUISE will play the lead character… and ANDERSON “mentioned that he wanted SYLVESTER STALLONE to return and play the same role that he played in the original.”

Sly in Total Film

Craig / / 2001, Avenging Angelo, Celebs, D-Tox, Driven, First Blood, FIST, Get Carter, Unmade Films

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the pic and quotes from:

TOTAL FILM [August 2001/issue 55]

— “Ask him which movies he rates from the past, and he’ll list First Blood, Nighthawks, F.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

Sly to Direct “Driven 2”

Craig / / 2001, Driven 2, Unmade Films

In the Reel World column of Entertainment Weekly, the following item appears:

SLY NEWS: SYLVESTER STALLONE is pining to direct “Driven 2” [we must have missed the avalanche of “popular demand” for that particular follow-up] but he says first he’d like to tackle “an ambitious project that deals with a historical event.” Maybe he’s up for a Rambo sequel after all… [Additional reporting by William Keck]

Sly Set to Star with Brad Renfro in…

Craig / / 2001, Unmade Films

Dark Horizons reported that SYLVESTER STALLONE is set to play an “alcoholic and violently abusive” father in the film “Iron Man” to be directed by ALAN RUDOLPH. “Iron Man” is described as a coming of age drama about JT Steele [BRAD RENFRO].
JT is a gifted high school wrestler who travels cross country to compete and never loses a match [“a skill honed by his alcoholic and violently abusive father SYLVESTER STALLONE“]. NATHAN ADAMS is the screenwriter with production likely to begin later this year.

 

Stallone’s Next Films

Craig / / 2001, Avenging Angelo, Driven, Unmade Films

Variety announced that SYLVESTER STALLONE, making a tentative comeback with current box office champ “Driven,” discharged the William Morris Agency early Monday morning to return to International Creative Management. STALLONE had been represented by Jim Wiatt at William Morris for the last year and a half, having followed him when Wiatt quit ICM.

STALLONE is currently shooting ``Avenging Angelo,” playing a mob bodyguard, and will star in “Dolan’s Cadillac,” which is scheduled to begin production after any industry strikes this summer.

“Smilin’ Jack Ruby” Looks at “Dolan’s Cadillac”

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, Unmade Films

Smilin’ Jack Ruby [gotta love that name!] posted a very positive review of the script for “Dolan’s Cadillac” over at Fandom.com. Jack had some very interesting things to say…

“I had the opportunity to read the script and not being ABKing [SZ regular Andrew! – Craig Zablo], I am skeptical of all things SLY STALLONE. Well, this role is tailor-made for him.”
“He’s the ultimate heavy, the kingpin of Las Vegas organized crime and the guy who runs the Mandarin Casino, which rises high over the strip.”

“I have read the script and it’s pretty interesting. You wouldn’t think it, but it actually combines some elements of “The Shawshank Redemption” into a revenge thriller, though this story never tries to get to that level. It’s a revenge pic, pure and simple.”

“If you read the short story, you’ll find out what this big revenge thing is. Needless to say, it is something incredibly cinematic that makes me really, REALLY want to see this movie.”

“KEVIN BACON as Tom is perfect casting…”

“I’m sure this will turn into a project with a lot of good actors as the parts are well written.”

“I have to hand it to SANDY TITLE and JONATHON PENNER, this is an adaptation I want to see…”

“It is well-cast, well-written… really keeps the tone of STEPHEN KING intact in the script.”
The underlined sections are parts that I highlighted for emphasis.

 

To read the complete review, click |HERE|. – Craig Zablo [February 18, 2001]

“Dolan’s Cadillac” Confirmed

Craig / / 2001, Avenging Angelo, Unmade Films

On January 30th, the SZ announced that SLY was planning to star in an adaptation of STEPHEN KING’s “Dolan’s Cadillac.” Fans became excited by the prospect of SLY in the role of a Las Vegas kingpin who thinks he’s gotten away with murder.

Well, it wasn’t just STALLONE fans who thought that this was newsworthy! The same day that our story ran, Dark Horizons and Chud posted the news as well! [Chud got their info from DH… and DH was sent the tip by Lilja of The World of Stephen King who had also e-mailed the SZ.]

Yesterday Zorianna Kit of The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that SLY is set to star [and KEVIN BACON is in negotiations to join him] in “Dolan’s Cadillac,” based on a STEPHEN KING novelette. The movie is scheduled to start production in May with writer-director STACY TITLE [“The Last Supper”] directing from her own adaptation.

In “Cadillac,” STALLONE will play a Las Vegas kingpin who thinks he’s gotten away with the murder of an innocent woman, though the spouse of the victim has big revenge plans.
This will be SLY’S fourth film for Franchise. He starred in “Get Carter” as well as the upcoming “Driven” and SLY will start filming “Avenging Angelo” with MADELINE STOWE in mid-April and then begin work on “Dolan’s Cadillac” in May.

– Craig Zablo [February 7, 2001]

Frank Stallone Checks In

Craig / / 2001, Celebs, Frank Stallone, Unmade Films

FRANK STALLONE e-mailed the SZ to thank us for the kind words that he’s been receiving from SZ fans about his newly designed site. He also wanted us to know that he’s updated it again with a ton of never before seen photos! Included are some really cool family pics, as well as photos of FRANK and some of the many celebrities that he’s worked with over the years. Click |HERE| to check it out.

FRANK also wanted us to know that he will be starring in Walker, Texas Ranger on February 10th at 9 pm PST on CBS. Appearing with FRANK will be his “big band.” In addition to his dramatic role, FRANK will also sing three songs!

FRANK also answered a question that many STALLONE fans have been wondering about for some time… Will the film “The Good Life” [FRANK starred in the movie and SLY appeared in a cameo] be released now that the lawsuits have been settled? FRANK‘s response, “I would honestly say no. We have distanced ourselves from it. for it was bad scene. Now my brother and I are closer than we ever were, so after it all that was only positive thing that came of it.”

We really appreciate FRANK taking the time from his busy schedule to send us an update. Be sure to check out his site at frankstallone.com as well as his appearance on “Walker, Texas Ranger.” The SZ will continue to provide updates from FRANK as we get them!

– Craig Zablo [February 4, 2001]

Sly News at Dark Horizons

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Champs, Rambo IV, Unmade Films

Garth over at Dark Horizons has posted several STALLONE items this past week.

On Wednesday, he scored some cool photos from the set of “Champs.” “Mr. Fast Cars & Fast Women” sent in three shots (one of which is reprinted above). Garth also printed the news from Chud.com that SLY may team with VIN DIESEL for “X vs Sever.”

On Thursday “LordBeer” submitted his report of “Champs” filming at the Target Grand Prix.

Friday saw one of the strangest items in a while… apparently JACKIE CHAN mentioned in an interview in the UK that he and SLY had been talking about teaming for “Rambo IV.”

For full details on these items check out Dark Horizons.

I certainly hope that the SLY /JACKIE CHAN / “Rambo IV” item never comes to reality!

– Craig Zablo (August 19, 2000)