“Thugz Lives”

Craig / / 2003, Unmade Films

From Ananova.com 14:29 Thursday 17th July 2003

Stallone working on film about Biggie and Tupac

Sylvester Stallone is working on a film about the deaths of rappers Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.

The film will go into the alleged LA Police Department corruption scandal that lurks beneath the story.

Stallone says he’ll direct and star in the film, which he’s provisionally calling Thugz Lives, reports Radio 1.

It will centre on the theory that Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur were killed as part of a gang-police-rap power triangle.

He says most of the cast will be from the hip-hop community, and he realises the soundtrack’s going to be crucial to the film.

Stallone says: “The hip-hop soundtrack would push the story along also.”

“It’s gonna conjure up memories, because we have to use Tupac, Biggie, you have to use music from that era, and then kind of segue into new stuff, but it’s got to have the feel of stuff from ’97, so it’s more old skool.”

Story filed: 14:29 Thursday 17th July 2003

I think that “Thugz LIves” might be an even better title than “Rampart Scandal.”

– Craig Zablo

Will There be Another “Rambo” ?

Craig / / 2003, Rambo 4

On Wednesday, July 16, 2003, Garth at Dark Horizons posted the following:

Rambo IV: “There is alot of talk about Rambo IV. If the story is right, then yeah I would do it, but firing a M-60 and wearing a red bandana around my head is not the Rambo I want to play in 2003. It would have to be like First Blood” said Stallone this week whilst promoting “Spy Kids 3D”.

– Craig Zablo

Empire Picks “Rocky 4” As Moment to Make a Grown Man Cry

Craig / / 2003, Rocky 4

Earnest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the picture above with the following info: The current [July 2003] issue of EMPIREmagazine has a piece called ’50 Movie Moments to Make a Grown Man Cry’! “Rocky IV” is listed as #41. Really good choice I thought but I would say Mickey’s death is an even better choice.

Anyway, they list various icons and apply them to each film. According to to EMPIRE, ROCKY VI’s RIP icon means “death” and the beers mean ” brotherhood”…


I couldn’t agree with you more, Jazz! Thanks for sharing.

– Craig Zablo

Sly Named Top Icon Magazine Profile

Craig / / 2003, Honors

VH1 decided to find the top 200 Greatest Popular Culture Icons.

Sly made the list at 115.

Each of VH1’s 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is illustrated by celebrated artist Robert Risko, profiled in a magazine as well as espisodes on VH1. Check out their website for full details.

The magazine profile of Sly contains the picture to the left and the following text:

Sylvester Stallone

For a guy who got his start in porn, Sylvester Stallone bounced back just like in one of his own scripts. Six years after baring all in “A Party at Kitty and Stud’s” for $200, Stallone created what was to become the cinematic anthem of the underdog. He wrote the first draft of “Rocky” in three days and insisted on playing the part of the determined boxer himself despite studio pressure to cast a star. “Rocky” ended up earning 10 Oscar nominations and won for Best Picture. His portrayal of another sequel-friendly action man, vengeful Vietnam vet John Rambo, turned Stallone into more than a one character wonder. Though less successful in the comedy genre [“Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!”], the father of five, who is married to model Jennifer Flavin, is indomitable. “The eyes droop, the mouth is crooked,the teeth aren’t straight, the voice sounds like a Mafioso pallbearer,” he once said of himself. “But somehow it all works.”

Sly Named Top Icon

Craig / / 2003, Honors

VH1 decided to find the top 200 Greatest Popular Culture Icons. Their criteria: “You can quote them in an instant, reference them with just one name, and even dress up like them for Halloween. In this always-expanding pop culture of ours, there are plenty of stars, but precious few icons.”

Each of VH1’s 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is illustrated by celebrated artist Robert Risko, profiled in a magazine of the same name as well as episodes on VH1. Check out their website for full details.

We’re happy to say that Sly made the list at 115.