Why Stallone Once Insisted Rocky IV Wouldnt Happen (Why He Changed His Mind)

Why Stallone Once Insisted Rocky IV Wouldn’t Happen (Why He Changed His Mind)

Rocky IV was a major blockbuster for Sylvester Stallone in 1985, but he once vowed it would never happen; here’s why he changed his mind.

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Why Stallone Once Insisted Rocky IV Wouldnt Happen (Why He Changed His Mind)

Sylvester Stallone once stated in an interview Rocky IV would never happen – here’s why he changed his mind. Stallone’s first breakthrough was with the underdog boxing drama Rocky, and over the course of nearly 50 years, audiences have seen the character evolve onscreen. It wasn’t really until 1982’s First Blood that the star had a major hit outside the Rocky movies, and he became one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s and 1990s.

1985 would prove to be a very fruitful year for Stallone, as both Rocky IV and Rambo: First Blood Part II were both released. Both sequels are emblematic of their decade, which saw the muscle-bound star take on the Soviet Union in different ways while rebelling against authority. Both sequels were also giant hits, with Rambo: First Blood Part II being one of the most famous action movies of the 1980s. Given how relatively grounded the rest of the series is, however, Rocky IV is considered something of the odd man out, though it still has a very loyal fanbase.

Rocky IV introduced Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago – one of Rocky’s most iconic foes – and its story had far-reaching consequences on the franchise, including the death of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). In rewatching the Rocky series, it’s somewhat clear each entry wasn’t supposed to lead to a sequel. Most of them end with the character edging towards retirement after one last bout, only for the next movie to pull him back for more. It definitely wasn’t Stallone’s plan to be playing Rocky for so long, and in a 1979 interview with Roger Ebert, he vowed Rocky IV would never happen.

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This interview took place on the verge of Rocky II’s release, with the actor already talking up his plans for a third movie. Some of his notions came true, such as Apollo Creed becoming his trainer, whilst others – such as Rocky fighting in the Roman Coliseum and meeting the Pope – didn’t. Of particular note is the actor’s plan to move into films about love stories or character pieces, and that “But there’ll never be a ‘Rocky Iv,” which he followed up with “You gotta call a halt.”

At that point in Stallone’s career, he hadn’t become tied to a particular franchise just yet, and he likely feared being typecast. It was also his original plan to end Rocky III with the character’s demise following his last fight. Of course, that didn’t come to pass, and the actor’s mind was likely changed due to the simple fact that the grosses of each Rocky kept increasing. Rocky II earned $200 million while Rocky III bagged $270 million a few years later. The series popularly kept increasing, and Rocky IV itself would earn a very healthy $300 million worldwide.

With those numbers and the character’s enduring popularity with audiences, it only made sense for Rocky IV to happen. On that front, Rocky V – which was billed as the definite end – only earned $120 million in 1990. The series would later redeem itself with Rocky Balboa in 2006 and the subsequent Creed spinoffs, and while Stallone has once again declared he’s done with the character, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him return once again.

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Link Source : https://screenrant.com/rocky-4-movie-stallone-never-happen/

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