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47 Years After It’s Release, Sylvester Stallone Relives the Time ‘Rocky’ Was Born

Published 06/01/2023, 10:08 AM EDT

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The career of Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone is intrinsically linked with the character of Rocky Balboa. Born out of Stallone’s unwavering determination, Rocky emerged as a symbol of resilience, hope, and triumph against all odds.

When “Rocky” hit the silver screen in 1976, it took the world by storm. The underdog story of Rocky Balboa, an aspiring boxer from the gritty streets of Philadelphia, resonated deeply with audiences across the globe. Moreover, Stallone’s heartfelt performance as the lovable and determined Rocky struck a chord, capturing the hearts of millions.

This is the reason why the movie franchise has grossed over a billion dollars in revenue and spanning across nine movies. Sly offered fans a glimpse of how the movie’s history after sharing a resurfaced video of the beginnings of his extraordinary character 47 years after the movie’s release.

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Sylvester Stallone shares a resurfaced video of Rocky’s origin years after its release

The Expendables star shared a video exploring how Rocky was born, that also showcased Stallone’s own journey as an artist. In the video, we can see a young Stallone expressing how he thought of the iconic character and brought him to life. Sly revealed that despite not fully understanding how to proceed with the movie, he was determined to see it through.

“In the streets of Philadelphia, it was freezing cold, and I just started to feel something. Went inside, and they go, “Sly, are you ready?” and I go, “I’m not Rocky, is.” It was a complete unknown, even unknown to myself, and I had this idea. So I wrote this story about an underdog, person who wasn’t very appreciated,” he said.

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The movie secured three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, solidifying its place in cinematic history. The success of Rocky also made Stallone a multi-millionaire over time and one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Despite this, ‘Sly’ does not own the rights to the movie and has had a turbulent relationship with its producers.

Why is Stallone feuding with ‘Rocky’ producers?

Although Sly has written, directed as well as acted in the majority of the Rocky movies, he does not own the rights to the franchise. The rights are with the Winkler family whose head Irwin produces the movies.

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This is the reason why ‘Sly’ has openly feuded with the producers wanting to own a part of the franchise. Throughout his career, Stallone has remained committed to the Rocky legacy. Therefore, it isn’t too surprising for him to want a part of it.

American actor Sylvester Stallone strikes at a punching bag in a boxing ring while his coach, Burgess Meredith (1908 – 1997). Watches during training at a gymnasium in a still from the film ‘Rocky. Directed by John G. Avildsen, 1976. Stallone wears a ‘WIN “ROCKY” WIN’ T-shirt. (Photo by United Artists/Courtesy of Getty Images)

However, five decades after its release, Rocky still remains a timeless classic. Stallone’s enduring portrayal of Rocky Balboa and his role in shaping the narrative has forever etched his name in cinematic history. Moreover, he will be remembered as the man who gave the world an underdog determined to break all odds.

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What did you think about Stallone sharing a resurfaced video of Rocky’s inception? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Sahil Sood

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Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering live events and core sports. Sahil holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has authored over 1300 articles at EssentiallySports. His coverage of Sylvester Stallone's training with Earnie Shavers was widely praised for its depth and insight.
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Edited by:

Amal Joyce