First Look: Rocky Matchbox

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Rocky

Way back on January 15, 2000, we announced that Rocky would be given the star treatment with a special edition Matchbox car accompanied by a “big head” figurine. StalloneZone is happy to provide a preview of some of the figures that will appear in the Matchbox Star Cars series. Along with Rocky Balboa and Camero, collectors will also find The Mask and Squad Car, Gilligan and the S.S. Minnow, Fonzie and his Motorcycle, and more. A firm release date has not been set, so keep your eyes peeled!

– Craig Zablo

Two Stallone Total Film Tidbits

Craig / / 2000, Champs

Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes sent in the following: “There are a couple of news bits from the current “TOTAL FILM” magazine. Probably nothing that we haven’t read before but what the heck.”

CONFIDENCE
Sylvester Stallone wrestles with: “I have gun. Give money.”

The grunting that one takes on Morton Orwell, a bank-robbing sophisto on the run from the lot: an FBI guy, an old enemy and a rogue intelligence agent…

But it’s definitely a distant future thing. Waterworld lensman Kevin Reynolds was recently bumped off the project, they’re still casting for a love interest and Sly has yet to finish being Michael Caine in the dubious Get Carter remake. And then he’s doing that there motor racer Champs. This one seems to be an attempt to shove him back into the action limelight after the critical nod of Cop Land.

One tiny worry: the script is by one Simon Davis Barry. Yes, the man who took an uncredited writing gig on (off!) the Treat Williams TV movie 6 Hours to Die. Quite.

TOP GEAR
Stallone on starting grid for fast car flick.

After backing his brain into the garage for a re-tool, Sylvester Stallone‘s gone and got his legendary motor movie greenlit.

Originally thought to be set around the noisy ego-fest that is Formula One, Stallone recently announced at a press conference that the film would now feature Championship Auto Racing Teams (that’s CART, acronym likers). “CART‘s brand of open-wheel auto racing provides some of the most thrilling, involving, and inspiring form of sport in the world,” the former Rambo gnashed. The Sly-scribbled script, called Champs, has the full backing of CART execs, excited at a chance for some of that lovely international promotion.

Word on the track is that the film’s now aimed at a June start for a possible 2001 release, with most of its $65-million budget going on flashy effects to “bring the audience into the car…”

Thanks to Jazzman for the info!
– Craig Zablo
[May 7, 2000]

Sly in FHM

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Driven, Rocky

DRIVEN 4/27

A hotshot rookie driver hits a slump and realizes he needs the help of a grizzled old vetern who, incidentally, looks a lot like Rocky Balboa.

With SLYVESTER STALLONE, BURT REYNOLDS, KIP PARDUE and GINA GERSHON

Go speed racer In a feat that never ceases to amaze, screenwriter STALLONE strung together enough words to pen an entire script. At least you can count on director RENNY HARLIN [“CLIFFHANGER’] to make stellar racing scenes.
Get this: While filming, HARLINE was planning the DVD, which will let the viewer watch the races from various angles: high above, on the side or in the driver’s seat.

5 THINGS THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ROCKY

1 SYLVESTER STALLONE wrote his first draft of the script in three frenzied days. That version ended with Rocky throwing the fight.

2 Even though he had only $105 in the bank, STALLONE originally turned down offers of as much as $350,000 for the script from producers who wouldn’t let him play Rocky.

3 To get the green light from the studio, the producers had to agree to keep their budget below $1 million and agree to cover any extra charges out of their own pockets. Both producers ended up mortgaging their house.

4 When production moved from LA to Philadelphia, STALLONE could only afford to travel by train. Accompanying him on the 3-day ride was his dog Butkus, who appears in the film and who had putrid gas throughout the trip. In Arizona, SLY literally picked up the pooch and squeezed him, but the dog refused to empty its bowels until they got to Philadelphia and SLY‘s hotel carpet.

5 The famous shot of Rocky celebrating at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps was originally filmed as a tight shot on Rocky with a zoom out. Later, the director decided he wanted to start wide and zoom in. In the film, the footage is actually playing backward.

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes! – Craig Zablo

Sly Attends Irwin Winkler Ceremony

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Rocky

Actor Sylvester Stallone, right, lands a mock punch on the chin of producer Irwin Winkler during Walk of Fame ceremony for Winkler in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Friday, April 28, 2000. Winkler produced the film “Rocky,” starring Stallone.  (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Sylvester Stallone, right, and Carl Weathers, left, pose with producer Irwin Winkler at the Walk of Fame ceremony for Winkler in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles Friday, April 28, 2000. Stallone and Weathers were opponents in the original “Rocky” film,  produced by Winkler. 
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN

Craig / / 2000, Celebs, Planet Hollywood
TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN

In the February 29, 2000 issue of Star, there the following writeup appears in the STARPEOPLE section:
Now that ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER has jumped ship, SYLVESTER STALLONE wants to be the hero that saves Planet Hollywood. Not long after ARNOLD cut his ties with the troubled restaurant chain, SLY made an unscheduled appearance at the Los Vegas location. He gave employees an impromptu pep talk, assuring them he could rescue the restaurants. Before he left, SLY asked the staff to remove the life-size cutout of ARNOLD that stood in the restaurant’s entrance.