SLY STALLONE was joined by his wife, JENNIFER FLAVEN and “Driven” co-stars TIL SCHWEIGER, CHRISTIAN de la FUENTE, ESTELLA WARREN, KIP PARDUE, and director RENNY HARLIN for the premiere at the Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, on Monday, April 16, 2001.
SZ Exclusive: “Driven” Premiere Coverage by SZoner Randy Rouseau
SZoner, Randy Rouseau attended the premiere of “Driven” which was held at the Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, Monday, April 16, 2001. Randy sent in the picture above as well as those that follow. He said he would send more [containing shots of SLY] once he gets them developed! Thanks to Randy for sharing and for being so quick!
Another shot of the theater
Several Champ cars lined up and waiting to roar down the street!
SYLVESTER STALLONE’s car from “Driven.”
SYLVESTER STALLONE’s handprints from in front of Mann’s Theater.
SLY’s personal car. Very nice!
Another shot of Sly’s ride.
Thanks again to Randy Rossseau!
– Craig Zablo
ROCKY SPECIAL EDITION GIFT SET
The April 20, 2001 issue of Entertainment Weekly gives the Rocky Giftset the lead review in the New To DVD section. Marc Bernardin gives the set an overall “B” rating. SZoners will be glad to hear that Mr. Bernardin says of all of the extras that come in the set, “the most interesting bit is a 28-minute interview with Stallone, who gives something of a Rocky oral history from genesis to release. By turns touching, insightful, and self-indulgent, it’s a fascinating look at a star glancing back through time at the role that, for better or worse, defined him.”(As an interesting aside – on the page following the review is a one page interview with Carl “Apollo Credd” Weathers!)
– Craig Zablo (April 16, 2001)
SLY PIC IN PREMIERE
Sly appears in the current issue of PREMIERE in an article titled Shmoozer Take All. Producer Elie Samaha is being sued by his German backers for inflating budgets on movies he made with buddies like John Travolta, Stallone, and Snipes. Hey, what’s a few million among friends ? ”
Below the pic reads… BATTLEFIELD WORTH : Samaha with his pal Stallone and former Miss Germany Verona Feldbusch, at the “Battlefield Earth” premiere . – Peace, JAZZMAN
Thanks Jazz for the piece! – Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)
STALLONE INTERVIEW AT FILMFORCE
On Friday, April 13, 2001, FilmForce.ign.com ran a great interview with Sly. The interview, conducted (on location while Sly was filming Driven) by Steve Head covered Driven, working with Burt Reynolds, racing, directors, and more!
To check it out, click |HERE|.
- Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)
STALLONE INTERVIEW AT DARK HORIZONS
On Tuesday, April 10, 2001, Dark Horizons reported that the Driven soundtrack would be available starting April 24th and gave props to StalloneZone for the news.
What could be cooler than getting props from Garth? The interview with Sly that he posted the same day! Paul Fischer conducts an interview in which Sly discusses Driven, fitness, the special edition release of Rocky to dvd, and more! To check it out, click |HERE|. (Great score, Garth!)
- Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)
“ROCKY” : THE REAL DEAL…
The April 2001 issue of CinemaSavant (an mgm.com e-magazine) features part one of an article by Alex Ben Block titled “The Real Deal on Rocky.” The opening paragraph states: “On the 25th anniversary of its landmark release, we set aside the many myths, and delve into the little known true history of “Rocky.” We pull back the curtain on the behind the scenes wheeling and dealing which got Sylvester Stallone’s inspirational boxing drama made, and helped the United Artists release win an Academy Award…
.- Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)
SLY: UNINTIMIDATED
Sly appears in the April 10, 2001 issue of the National Enquirer. The picture above accompanies a short “exclusive interview” by Beverly Williston. The “interview” consists of six sentences by Sly… he says:
1. Dale Earnhardt was the “best in his field” and he hopes that Driven pays tribute to race car drivers.
2. That when you drive the cars “you’re lying down feet first.”
3. That once in “you are literally locked into these machines so there’s a sense of being nailed in a box with no exit except with the help of others.”
4. If the worst happens and “…you get into a crash its quite difficult to release yourself.”
5. Being in the car is “…very confining and claustrophobic.”
6. Finally about co-star Estella Warren, Sly said, “Estella is going to have a charmed life.”
– Craig Zablo (April 15, 2001)
STALLONEZONE.COM Accept No Substitutes
Well, I didn’t think it would happen but it did.
As most of you know Craig Zablo’s StalloneZone has been providing weekly updates since our inception in 1996. Most fans, SZoners as we affectionately call each other, have been coming here for months, if not years. In this time, we have seen an enormous amount of generosity and many friendships formed. Fans have shared pics, stories, news, tapes, magazines and more. With very few exceptions, everyone came in and was welcomed… because they shared the common bond of being a Sylvester Stallone fan. And because they treated other fans with civility and respect.
We have always encouraged new Stallone sites and gladly shared our news, pics and message board with them. My feeling has been the more Stallone sites there are, the better it is for everyone.
This past week we were made aware that another person has created a Stallone website using the name “StalloneZone.de.” (.de is the German equivalent of .com) Fan reaction was immediate and the same as mine. A new Stallone site would be welcomed but not using the name that I created in 1996.
I informed the person that I would appreciate him changing the name of “his site.” I explained that I had created the name in 1996 and worked hard to make it the #1 Sylvester Stallone site on the internet. The response I got back was that I could purchase the name from them, if I desired. Can you believe it?
The person who created “StalloneZone.de” not only used the StalloneZone name without permission but posted a piece of art, without the permission of the artist who created it. (Hennie Blaauw, who by the way, created it for us.) In addition, “StalloneZone.de” used the same color scheme as us… all in a sad attempt to cash in on our hard work.
My feeling is that the creator of “de” site really isn’t a Stallone fan. If so, why would he disrespect this site and fans who have been supporting Sylvester Stallone longer than anyone else on the internet? Further, why would anyone steal the efforts or work of another? I guess we all know the answer to those questions.
I have decided to simply ignore the “de” site. I will not provide a link to it or any site that links to it. The creator of the “de” site has been banned from the StalloneZone message boards. If a time comes when the “de” creator wishes to apologize and change “his site’s” name then these two stipulations will be lifted. I urge all SZoners to join me in these actions.
Thanks,
Craig Zablo (April 13, 2001)
Sly and Jen Have An Unforgettable Evening
Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the following scoop:
“Here is a pic from the April 13, 2001 issue of OK! magazine. SLY and JENNIFER at a LA charity gala called An Unforgettable Evening. It was a fundraiser for the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and took place at the Regent Beverly Wishire Hotel, Beverly Hills. SLY and JENNIFER were among 800 guests which also included ROBERT DOWNEY JR., KIRK DOUGLAS and STING.
– Craig Zablo