John G. Avildsen’s Rocky was one of the greatest surprise hits in the history of Hollywood. Made on a shoestring budget of just over $1.1 million and featuring an unknown lead at the time, the 1976 title went on to make more than $225 million globally and was nominated for ten Academy Awards. It turned Sylvester Stallone into a global superstar and sparked a hugely successful franchise spanning numerous films and other related media. Now, with the director’s cut of Rocky IV out, it’s a good time to reminisce about the iconic franchise.
Rocky and its Creation are Inspirational
The story of Rocky is an inspirational rags-to-riches tale of a club fighter who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. It depicts the character’s resilience and underdog mentality and shows the hard work and dedication needed to make it to the top.
Audiences love seeing stories like this play out on screen because they remind people of the power of the human mind and body through pain and perseverance. Rocky and its sequels have inspired many people to get into boxing over the years, with some returning the favour by appearing in the films. A few of the professional boxers to have acted in the Rocky franchise include Andre Ward, Gabriel Rosado and Mike Williams.
The story behind Rocky’s creation and how it came to fruition is also one that has touched many people’s hearts. Stallone was desperate to be an actor, but he was turned down for roles because film producers in Hollywood didn’t think he looked the part. After trying and failing to gain recognition, he realised he needed to change tack.
This is what led Stallone to write Rocky. He was so poor at the time that he had to sell his dog to a man he saw outside a 7-11. When Stallone touted the script around Hollywood, producers liked it but didn’t want to cast him in the main role. However, Stallone was adamant that he was Rocky Balboa. In the end, Chartoff-Winkler Productions took a gamble on the actor and the rest is history. Don’t worry, he managed to buy his dog back after he was paid for Rocky. The lovable hound starred in the first two films as well.
Director’s Cut Reminds Fans of the Greatest Moments
Stallone went on to direct the sequels in the Rocky franchise, and he recently finished working on a director’s cut for Rocky IV to commemorate its 35th anniversary. The original picture was a massive box office sensation, bringing in more than $300 million in 1985. Around 38 minutes of unreleased footage were added to the 2021 edition of the film, providing viewers with extra food for thought about pivotal scenes such as Apollo Creed’s funeral.
The release of this new version has also given fans the opportunity to reminisce about some of the greatest aspects of the series. There are certain moments, quotes, and scenes from the boxing epics that live long in the memory of anyone who has seen them. One of the best quotes and one that can be used outside of boxing as a mantra for life is: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
There are so many amazing scenes to pick from in the Rocky franchise such as the various training montages, but the one that captures the sheer grit and determination of the character has to be when Creed drops Rocky in the first film, only to turn around and see the character rising up to continue the fight.
Rocky’s Influence Has Spread to Other Films and Merchandise
One of the key factors towards Rocky’s resilience and legendary status as a franchise has been its expansion across multiple films and other related media. The franchise model is everywhere in entertainment nowadays, with films often crossing over into television series and related games. Rocky was one of the early pioneers of this model.
There have been countless games based on Rocky, beginning with Rocky Super Action Boxing from Coleco in 1983. Other notable entries include Rage Software’s Rocky in 2002 and the franchised Rocky slot game from Playtech. The latter is available to play at Paddy Power, which is recommended for its free spins with no wagering for new players. It also boasts being first for new Playtech slots, which include many other popular films. Aside from games, Rocky inspired numerous other boxing films. Indeed, the genre has been hugely successful in Hollywood ever since. Some of the best boxing offerings since the 1976 title include Raging Bull, Ali, and The Fighter.
The longevity of the Rocky franchise and its enduring effect on popular culture is outstanding. Aside from living on through games and re-releases, the series itself continues through the Creed films. There is no doubt that Rocky is one of the most legendary movies of all time.
