The Amazing Story Of The Making Of 'Rocky' (2024)

FAQs

Why did Wepner sue Stallone? ›

Unlike Rocky, Wepner also fought a bear. Wepner sued Stallone in 2003, arguing that he improperly used his name to promote the “Rocky” films. Stallone responded that Wepner benefited by making public appearances as “the real Rocky,” but later settled.

Some have speculated it was possibly from Stallone and Spinell's salary disputes, from Stallone and Spinell growing further apart due to Stallone's career success in Hollywood and Spinell settling back in his hometown of New York City for good, Stallone's agent and managers cutting him away from all of his old friends, ...

While the story of his first film was partly inspired by a 1975 fight between underdog Chuck Wepner and heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (which nearly went the 15 round distance despite the odds), the inspiration for the name, iconography and fighting style came from boxing legend Rocco Francis "Rocky Marciano" ...

Rocky 3 Took Stallone's Body Fat Down To "Dangerous" Levels

According to Stallone, this diet did not provide "much physical or mental energy," and it took his body fat down to 2.9.

After the film was released, won the Oscar in 1977, and became a cultural phenomenon, Wepner and Stallone became pals – in fact, Stallone offered him a part in Rocky II as a sparring partner.

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.

Gazzo is also quite caring about Rocky, even lending him money so he can take Adrian out somewhere nice for the first date. He supported Rocky both times during his fights with Apollo and seems to be very proud of him, showing that Gazzo is not all bad.

According to the health website: “The actor, best known for his roles as “Rocky Balboa” and “John Rambo,” was actually born with facial paralysis resulting from birth complications. The residual effects of Bell's palsy are responsible for his crooked smile and slurred speech pattern.”

Sylvester Stallone

It wasn't until he was cast in “Rocky” at the age of 30 that it all changed. Nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Rocky Balboa, Stallone skyrocketed to fame, landing notable roles such as John Rambo in “Rambo.”

However, the character of Rocky Balboa was inspired by real-life boxers, such as Chuck Wepner, who fought Muhammad Ali in 1975 and went the distance with him, as well as Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated as heavyweight champion.

Who was originally supposed to play Rocky? ›

So they offered Stallone up to $265,000 – around £1.4million in today's money – to let them film 'Rocky' but without Sly in the leading role. Understandably, the studio wanted the likes of Godfather actor James Caan, Robert Redford or Burt Reynolds to play the southpaw slugger.

Chuck Wepner, the ham and egger professional boxer who nearly beat heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and thus inspired the Sylvester Stallone series of Rocky movies, was honored today with his own statute in his Bayonne, NJ hometown.

Stallone's diet consists of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. He eats six small meals a day to keep his metabolism burning and his energy levels high.

Stallone claims to have been able to bench press 385-400 lbs (174.6-181.4 kg) and squat 500 lbs (226.8 kg) in his prime. While in a bench pressing contest with former Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu, he severely tore his pectoral muscle and needed over 160 stitches on it.

T.). "My entire breakfast would be maybe two [small] oatmeal cookies made with brown rice, and 10 cups of coffee because I wanted to keep my body fat down to 2.8%," explains Stallone.

Chuck Wepner, the ham and egger professional boxer who nearly beat heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and thus inspired the Sylvester Stallone series of Rocky movies, was honored today with his own statute in his Bayonne, NJ hometown. Wepner was a game but limited fighter in his career.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Sylvester Stallone was fined $2,500 by an Australian court on Monday for illegally bringing 48 vials of human growth hormone into Australia during a promotional trip in February.

Stallone — who wrote the screenplay for the film in three days, before selling the rights to producers Winkler and Robert Chartoff — said his anger came from the fact that the original deal deprived him of an equity stake in the franchise, a longterm asset that could be passed to his children after his death.

The only problem was that his nose was broken and he was leaking blood from a severely cut eye. You might think I'm describing “Rocky Balboa.” But I'm not. This was a real boxer, a New Jersey journeyman named Chuck Wepner. In 1975, Wepner had been guaranteed $100,000 to fight Muhammad Ali, who was to get $1.5 million.