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Stallone: Rocky doesn't do quitting

Ali

25th October 2009

With well-received returns for Rocky and Rambo in the can and a sci-fi-ish sequel for the latter planned for next year, Sylvester Stallone has confirmed he'll begin work on Rocky VII for 2010.

Speaking to Tele 5, a German TV channel, Sly revealed that Rocky still has fire left in his basement. For those who thought that Rocky Balboa was the perfect send-off to a much loved character, this might feel like a slap in the face. However, Stallone seems to understand that a return to the ring isn't necessarily the best way to bring him back.

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"When I was 21 years old and at drama school. My teacher said to me, 'If you ever put your head out there, thousands of people will try to cut it off, but that's exactly what you need to do as an artist.'

"I know it's ludicrous and everyone would laugh. I would laugh about it. But I also know that I'd be successful if I can make this a film about becoming older, not about boxing but about myself."
Well shit, the dumb lug finally gets it. No one wants to see Rocky getting beat up again and again - that part of his life is through. Arguably, there's more dramatic licence to be had once the character finally realises boxing is now totally beyond him.

It's a subject that'll be close to the heart of anyone who's watched a beloved sports star slide inexorably downhill once their career goes kaput (I'm thinking of Paul Gascoigne as one particularly tragic example). But doesn't this also apply to Sly the actor, as well as Rocky the boxer?

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"Even my wife says, 'Don't do it. You're embarrassing the kids'. But I told her, 'If I don't try I'll be a really unhappy man.' You have to do it. Artists like me have to go through the dark over and over again."
No matter the content, quite where Rocky VII will fit into Sly's schedule - which already includes Rambo 5 and a potential remake of Death Wish - is unclear. He's still shooting The Expendables as we speak and just wrapped shooting a scene with Arnie and Bruce Willis.

It's nice to see an actor understand his limitations like this. Too often you see over-the-hill performers attempting to distance themselves from their popular personas or trying to stave off old age. Not our Sly. Would anyone really begrudge him another throw of the dice?

Thanks to SlashFilm and Teen Say for the quotes.

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