What actors almost starred as the iconic roles in 1976's Rocky? None. The producers offered Stallone $360,000 to buy the script. Ryan O' Neal and James Caan were considered, but Stallone wouldn't sell the script to anyone who wouldn't let him play the hero.

Who was originally supposed to play Rocky?

And the words Stallone is mouthing on screen are the words he wrote in 3 1/2 days and sold to producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff on the condition that he would play ''Rocky,'' and not Burt Reynolds, or James Caan, or Ryan O'Neal, who were being mentioned for the part.

Who else auditioned for Rocky?

Instead, they had much bigger names in mind, such as Peyton Place's Ryan O'Neill, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, and James Caan. The latter three were all Hollywood A-listers and household names that audiences were accustomed to seeing on the big screen.

Why didn t they want Sylvester Stallone to play Rocky?

They read the script and loved it, except for one thing: They didn't want to have Sylvester Stallone play the main character, Rocky. You can't blame them. Stallone was an unknown actor at the time, and other Hollywood types would be a much safer bet at the box office.

Did Sylvester Stallone direct the first Rocky movie?

The original film (Rocky) was written by Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen, and was followed by the sequels Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), Rocky V (1990), and Rocky Balboa (2006). Stallone wrote and directed four of the five sequels, with Avildsen returning to direct Rocky V.

Sylvester Stallone Was A "Terrible Choice" For "Rocky"

Who was the first choice for Rocky?

None. The producers offered Stallone $360,000 to buy the script. Ryan O' Neal and James Caan were considered, but Stallone wouldn't sell the script to anyone who wouldn't let him play the hero.

Where did Sylvester Stallone get his idea for Rocky?

Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky in three and a half days, shortly after watching the championship match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner that took place at Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, on March 24, 1975.

Why is Rocky not rich in Creed?

By the time Donnie meets Rocky in Creed, he's been funneling all his money into the restaurant he named after Adrian. As a result, he only has just enough to get by, and can't live the extravagant way he did in the past.

Why did Rocky leave Creed?

Stallone opened up about his absence, explaining that Creed III took a different direction than he would've taken it. "It's a different philosophy... I like my heroes beat up, but I just don't want them going into that dark place. I just feel people have enough darkness."

Who turned down the role of Adrian in Rocky?

Originally, Stallone offered Carrie Snodgress the role of Adrian, but she turned it down due to the low salary she was offered. Susan Sarandon was considered, but she was turned down because she was deemed too pretty to play the mousy character of Adrian. Talia Shire then auditioned for the role, and was selected.

Did Carl Weathers and Sylvester Stallone fall out?

The actors fought it out in the ring for the first two films of the famous boxing franchise, and they remained friends in the decades following the final installment, 1985's Rocky IV. Stallone shared a video on his Instagram Friday, remembering Weathers and their time together in their breakthrough films.

What did Carl Weathers think of Rocky?

Citing the film — which tells the story of the late Apollo Creed's son climbing the ranks of professional boxing with the help of trainer Rocky Balboa — Weathers says he was impressed with star Michael B. Jordan and Stallone, of the latter saying: “I think its the best work Sly has done to my memory.”

How did Sylvester Stallone lose the rights to Rocky?

The actor has long been galled by the fact that, as a young unknown in Hollywood, he signed a deal in which he gave up ownership of the “Rocky” franchise, which he created. (Stallone wrote the film.) Since at least 1976, Rocky's rights have been in the hands of producer Irwin Winkler.

How much did Stallone get paid for Rocky?

Sylvester Stallone was paid an initial salary of $35,000 for his work acting and writing the first Rocky movie. However, considering his contract guaranteed him 10 points on the back end, he ended up earning around $2.5 million due to the film's massive success.

Did the actors in Rocky actually hit each other?

Sylvester Stallone decided that for the shooting of the fight, he and Dolph Lundgren should hit one another for real, so as to increase the intensity of the scene.

Why was Paulie killed off in Creed?

The character's fondness for alcohol, combined with his advancing age, would likely have contributed largely to his death. Paulie's death hasn't been outwardly addressed by Stallone or Ryan Coogler, who wrote and directed Creed, but it seems that Paulie didn't fit with the spin-off's revised tone.

Why doesn't Sylvester Stallone like Creed 3?

"That's a regretful situation because I know what it could have been," Stallone told THR about disagreeing with the new film's tone. "It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would've taken it. "It's a different philosophy, Irwin Winkler's and Michael B. Jordan's.

Why do Rocky and his son not talk?

Shortly after, Paulie passes away and Rocky's relationship with his son becomes strained due to Robert distancing himself from any contact with him, leaving him alone again. A few years later, he meets Adonis Creed, the illegitimate son of his old friend, Apollo Creed, who asks him to come train him.

Where did they film Rocky?

The film Rocky, produced in 1976, not only won accolades but also beautifully highlighted the enchanting landscape of Philadelphia. Although the majority of scenes were filmed on location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, some scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the Olympic Auditorium.

How old was Rocky in Rocky 1?

Read on. (Note: ESPN Classic will be showing "Rocky" at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday.) In Reel Life: Rocky Balboa is a 30-year-old club fighter. In Real Life: Sylvester Stallone was inspired by Chuck Wepner, a 35-year-old club fighter who also happened to be the No.

What Sylvester Stallone movie made the most money?

How much did Rocky weigh in Rocky 1?

According to Stallone, these were his weights for each of the first four Rocky movies: Rocky I: 178 pounds. Rocky II: 200 pounds. Rocky III: 166 pounds.

Who is the real life Rocky Balboa?

Sticking just with boxing, Balboa's style was based chiefly on two real life boxers — namely the great Rocky Marciano & a lesser known boxer named Chuck Wepner (top right vs Ali).

How many days did it take to film Rocky?

He refused to sell the rights to the script unless he was chosen to play the lead. As a result, his producers were given a shoestring budget of $960,000 to work with, and Rocky was filmed in just 28 days.