“Rocky” Musical Moves Forward

Craig / / 2001, Rocky, Rocky Musical

On June 1, 2011, Patrick Healy, in the New York Times, wrote a piece titled, “Gonna Fly Soon: A ‘Rocky’ Musical is Moving Forward.”   Here are a few tidbits:

  •  The creators and producers, which include “Rocky” star and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone, held a private reading of the work in New York in April, according to Mr. Meehan and a member of the producing team, Barbara Darwall.
  • … they described the reading as creatively successful and said work was continuing toward the goal of mounting the musical in Germany in the fall of 2012 — and then, they hope, bringing “Rocky” to Broadway in the spring of 2013.
  • The project began about eight years ago, Mr. Meehan said, when Mr. Stallone called him about making a musical of “Rocky.” Mr. Stallone holds the rights to the story, Mr. Meehan and Ms. Darwall said.
  • He [Mr. Meehan] described the show as a small-orchestra, small-cast production, with about five principal characters and a plot that tracked closely to the first “Rocky” movie. He added that Mr. Stallone was an artistic partner and producer, not a potential cast member.

Of course other sites picked up the news…

And many other sites.

 

New HCG Rocky Statue!

Craig / / 2011, Rocky 3

Hey SZoners! Mark from Hollywood Collectibles is going to hook us up again. Hollywood Collectibles is currently taking pre-orders on a limited edition [just 750 pieces worldwide] approximately 20″ Rocky statue. Here’s how they describe it…

  • A movie and cultural icon, Rocky needs no introduction. The “Italian Stallion” created by Sylvester Stallone has become a part of our popular culture.
  • Standing in his classic boxing pose, this impressive 1:4 scale statue stands approx 20″ tall including base, and is designed as a companion piece for our highly sought after Rambo statue. Featuring an accurate likeness of Sylvester Stallone in the titular role of Rocky as he appeared in Rocky 3 and Rocky 4, it comes complete with a title-belt themed display base.
  • Sculpted by Edinho Maga.
    Paint masters by John Allred.
  • This incredible piece of art is constructed from heavyweight polystone and then hand painted to the finest detail. Limited to just 750 pieces worldwide There is no HCG Exclusive version of this piece. However if you like low serial numbers, we are reserving # 1 to # 100 for retail customers only. So the first 100 retail orders will receive the desirable low edition numbers!Strictly Limited to 500 Pieces Worldwide

Once again, Mark and the fine folks at Hollywood Collectibles have created a password for StalloneZone fans. Simply enter “Balboa” at check out and you will receive a 10% discount! Another feature that Hollywood Collectibles has started is the ability to spread the cost of owning an item out over four or six equal payments.

Folks, when they are gone, they are gone. And they do sell out. So if you want one, I wouldn’t wait too long!

 

Billy Fowler Got Carter

Craig / / 2011, Craig's Sly Art, Get Carter

I met Billy Fowler at Heroes Con last year.  I hadn’t seen Billy’s art prior to the show, but I really liked the sketches that he was doing.  Luckily, I was just able to get on Billy’s sketch last.  He worked up this really great take on Sly as Jack Carter. 

Billy is scheduled to be at Heroes Con again this year.  I wonder if lightning can strike twice.  You can see more of Billy’s art at his blog.

Stallone and Jane, No More?

Craig / / 2011, Bullet to the Head, Headshot

On May 27, 2011, Quint at AICN reported that Thomas Jane may be out as Sly’s co-star in the Walter Hill directed “Headshot.”  According to Quint…

  •  …the studio wants Jane replaced with someone more “ethnic” in order to meet an in-house formula-for-success. The word is that Jane’s still the favorite for Hill and Stallone, but the studio is insistent on getting a minority in the role.

If true, that’s just plain stupid.  Not only do Sly and Jane both look like the characters from the comic series that they’re supposed to play, but Stallone and Jane make for a great on-screen pairing.  Let’s hope that studio suits don’t ruin what was shaping up to be a very, very good movie.

 

 

Sly Supports Arnold Claims Unnamed Source

Craig / / 2011, Celebs

On May 25, 2011, ShowBiz Spy posted a piece titled, “Sylvester Stallone Supports Schwarzenegger” which says through an unnamed source close to Sly that Stallone is helping Arnold get through the tough times he’s had since it was announced that he and Maria Shriver are divorcing.  The piece goes on to say that Sly and Arnold have even talked about a project when Arnold is ready to return to movie making.

 

Lady Gaga Talking Rocky Again

Craig / / 2011, Celebs, Rocky 4

On May 25, 2011, The Hollywood Reporter posted a piece titled, “Lady Gaga: I Have to Make the Music Industry Bleed“  and once again, Gaga was back with the references to Rocky. 

  • Referencing Sylvester Stallone‘s Rocky IV, the “Born This Way” singer tells Rolling Stone she wants to put the human element back into music: “My favorite part is when Apollo’s ex-trainer says to Rocky, ‘He is not a machine. He’s a man. Cut him, and once he feels his own blood, he will fear you.’ I know it sounds crazy, but I was thinking about the machine of the music industry. I started to think about how I have to make the music industry bleed to remind it that it’s human, it’s not a machine.”

 

Lady Gaga Gaga Over Rocky Balboa

Craig / / 2011, Celebs, Rocky, Rocky 3, Rocky Balboa

On May 23, 2011, Artist Direct posted an article titled titled “Lady Gaga Says Rocky Balboa is Her Dream Man.”  Gaga is quoted as saying…

  • “Rocky is my favorite movie – I love Rocky 3 because he gets his ass kicked in the first round and comes back.

Lady Gaga goes on to say…

  • “The Edge of Glory means a lot to me – it was written when my grandfather died. That song is about looking life in the eye and when you die saying ‘I won, I’m a champion’ like Rocky sprinting to the top of the staircase.”

You can read the entire article here.

 

Mike Torrance Takes a Shot at Barney Ross

Craig / / 2011, Craig's Sly Art, Expendables

Mike Torrance aka The Krayola Kidd created the art above earlier this week.  It’s his take on Sly as Barney Ross from The Expendables.   

Mike Torrance can do it all – pencils, inks and colors. You can see more of Mike’s art at The Daily Sketch with The Krayola Kidd and his Deviant Art site.  Mike is available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable.   You’re also going to be happy to know that once a month Mike has a contest for someone to win a free sketchcard!