Congrats to Frank Stallone who recently received the American Songbook Award and performed two songs at the Malibu Music Awards. The Malibu Times posted a clip from the event and Frank is featured in it.
Working w/ Sly on Bullet to the Head
On October 13, 2012, Collider.com posted an interview with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje currently co-starring in The Thing and soon to be seen with Sylvester Stallone in Bullet to the Head. Here are some tidbits from the interview about working with Sly…
- How much fun was it to face off against Sylvester Stallone for Bullet to the Head?
AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE: It’s one of those parts that you just relish in your career. I grew up watching Rambo and Rocky, and all of those movies, so you have a surreal moment, even as an actor, when you’re in front of these guys, whether it’s DeNiro or Stallone. You have a moment like, “Geez, that’s Sylvester Stallone,” and then you have to snap out of it and get back in the pocket of the character. But, it was a real treat, not just because you’re working with somebody that you grew up watching, as a kid, but also because he’s a great guy. He’s just a professional. He’s a straight-shooter, and it was fun to work with him. You go to work and there’s no pretense, or anything else going on, on the set.
The experience was just made better because of (director) Walter Hill. They have a working relationship together, but he’s a legend in his own right, as well. I was sandwiched between these two old-school legends, and I learned a lot. You also realize why they got to where they’ve gotten to because they’re very driven, ambitious and fearless. I really enjoyed it, and I loved the character that we created. Walter and Sylvester really wanted something different, and you always get that, if I’m going to play the character.
The character was written as American, but we changed it slightly, to an African who came to America. Also, we made the guy a cripple. That just gave it an added, twisted dimension. It was just fun because to actually get to create a character in a big studio movie is rare, and they went for it. Christian Slater was in it, too. It was just a good cast and a good movie. With a title like Bullet to the Head, you know what to expect, and it will deliver, trust me.
The Expendables 2: 10 Reasons Why…
Flickering Myth posted 10 Reasons Why The Expendables 2 is Going to be Explosively Awesome. Reason #1…
1 – Sylvester Stallone: Sly is brilliant. He’s the baker, and only he could have brought together such a grouping that he did in the first film, and now for the sequel. That aside, it’s been a joy for action fans of late to see Stallone’s renaissance, starting with final outings for Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. Leaving behind his director’s chair this time will hopefully ensure that Sly can concentrate on making Barney Ross become a more memorable character, and more in line with his iconic turns as the boxer and the crazy Nam vet.
Arnold Wants Jokes
According to an October 12, 2011, post at ShowBiz Spy, Arnold thought Sly should add some more in-jokes about his marriage problems to the Expendables 2 script.
The Expendables Extended Edition
On October 12, 2011, HDR.com posted information about The Expendables extended edition Blu-Ray that is coming out in December!
Best Stallone Films
SFGate.com posted their choices for the Best Stallone Films along with the films that readers picked. You can see the choices above or here.
Rocky Musical Moves Forward
On October 11, 2011, Broadway World.com posted that there has been progress in getting the long-awaited Rocky musical moving forward. The hope is for a 2012 production in Germany and then a run on Broadway in 2013.
Arnold, Sly & Bruce: Expendables 2
Here’s the first photo that I’ve seen of Arnold, Sly and Bruce on location in Bulgaria for filming of The Expendables 2. Can you dig it? Yeah, I thought you could.
Dave Wachter Takes a Shot at Jack Carter
Dave Wachter returns this week with his take on Sly from Get Carter. I met Dave a couple of years ago and became an instant fan. Dave is a tremendous artist, but more importantly an all-around decent guy. You can see more of Dave’s art at his site. – Craig
Ben Bova Praises Stallone & Rocky
Dr. Ben Bova has written more than 120 novels and nonfiction books. He has received numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, the John W. Campbell Memorial Award and the Robert A. Heinlein Award just to name a few. Dr. Bova is the President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America. He is also a huge fan of the movie, Rocky.
On October 9, 2011, The Naples News posted a piece by Dr. Bova titled “Rocky Reminds Us We Can Be Contenders.” Here are some tidbits…
- I saw the movie “Rocky” again on television a few nights ago. And, as usual, got a lump in my throat.
- “Rocky” holds a special place in my heart.
- And as a writer, I have to admire the script that Sylvester Stallone put together for “Rocky.” Think about it: The movie is filled with conflict and suspense, yet there is no villain, no bad guy.
- One of the secrets of writing fiction is to avoid the clichés. Stallone did this admirably in “Rocky.” It would have been easy to scribble out just another fight movie, but Stallone steered his way past the clichés and wrote what I consider to be a masterpiece.