By fighting the most recent addition of the Rocky franchise, Drago, Sylvester Stallone is escalating his conflict with Rocky producer Irwin Winkler over the ownership rights to the characters he rewrote. Recently, it officially announced that Dolph Lundgren would play Russian boxer Ivan Drago in a new movie, recreating his performance in Rocky IV. Stallone, who spent years performing Rocky, discovered the news online.
Rocky is presented in the movies as an underdog boxer who battles many vicious opponents and twice takes home the heavyweight title.
Stallone announced the news about the sequel getting approved on Instagram on Sunday by posting a screenshot of the article in question. The actor commented on the information in his caption, saying, “One more Heartbreaker… I just learned this. The BONES of another magnificent character I developed are being picked clean once more by this PATHETIC 94-year-old PRODUCER and HIS MORONIC USELESS VULTURE CHILDREN, Charles And David, without even my knowledge.”
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I APOLOGIZE to the FANS, Stallone continued. I never intended for the ROCKY characters to be taken advantage of by these parasites. Later, he updated the post and changed several original inserted sentences. Since they included the line “Seriously, how do you weasels look in the mirror???”. In addition, the actual apology to the fans stated, “I am sorry to the FANS, I APOLOGIZE to the FANS, I never wanted ROCKY to be used FOR THIS GREED,” which Stallone changed to the version above.
In conclusion, Stallone said, “By the way, I have nothing but respect for my genuine friend, Dolph Lundgren,” to clarify that there was no animosity between him and co-star Lundgren.
Stallone has expressed his displeasure with Irwin Winkler, including in this film. The actor has long harboured resentment over the fact that, despite originating the entire franchise, he does not possess any of the rights to the “Rocky” characters. Stallone received a predetermined payment for writing and portraying the title character in the first “Rocky” movie. A share of the box office take but had no ownership rights to the intellectual property. Since Stallone was compelled to continue working with the Winkler family if he wanted to continue playing the legendary character despite repeated creative and business differences, this has resulted in a tense working relationship over the years.
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When confronting the Winklers, Stallone said, “Does it worry you, people, that I’ve written every word, I’ve choreographed it, I’ve been devoted to you, I’ve promoted it, I’ve directed it, and I don’t have 1 per cent that I could leave for my children?” in 2019. And it said, “You got paid.” The conversation ended at that point.
Who is Sylvester Stallone?
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, better known by his stage name Sylvester Enzio Stallone, was an American actor, playwright, and director. He struggled as an actor for many years after moving to New York City in 1969 and Hollywood in 1974. He received his first critical praise for co-starring Stanley Rosiello in The Lords of Flatbush.
He is the only actor in American film history to have starred in a box office hit for six straight decades. He is a well-known representative of physical culture throughout history.
Stallone was the third performer in movie history to receive nominations for Best Actor and Original Screenplay Academy Awards in 1977. Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone, was added to the National Film Registry, and the Smithsonian Museum now houses its props. The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s main entrance was used by Stallone in the Rocky film series, earning the place the moniker “Rocky Steps.” Rocky has a statue close to the Philadelphia museum, and Stallone was awarded to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.