Entertainment
MrBeast To Create The Strongest Monster In His Own Show
15. The fight between Gunn and Cane called for 10,000 extras
The Gunn vs. Cane showdown packed the Philadelphia Civic Center with 10,000 extras. The production printed free admission coupons in newspapers and handed them out on the radio to fill every seat. | © United Artists
14. Rocky was originally supposed to die in the final street fight
Originally, Rocky was meant to die in the final street fight, a scene that even brought Stallone to tears as he wrote it. While reports differ on whether the change was Stallone’s or the producers’, they ultimately opted for a more hopeful ending. | © United Artists
13. Stallone’s real-life son Sage plays Rocky’s son in Rocky V
Stallone’s real-life son, Sage, plays Rocky’s boy in Rocky V, and his scream, “You never spent time with me! You never spent time with my mother!” was pure, unscripted emotion. That raw honesty makes the scene unforgettable. | © United Artists
12. Russian city was filmed at Agrodome Arena in Vancouver
The Russian city in Rocky IV wasn't filmed in Russia; instead, the final fight scene was shot at the Agrodome Arena in Vancouver. While the movie shows Rocky preparing in the frozen Russian tundra, that part was filmed in Wyoming. | © United Artists
11. Stallone asked Lundgren to really try to knock him
Stallone asked Lundgren to make their fight scene authentic by really trying to knock him out. After Lundgren hit him in the chest with a powerful punch, Stallone went to the hospital, where he remained in intensive care for five days. | © United Artists
10. Lundgren had to gain about 20 pounds for Rocky IV
He packed on about 20 pounds for Rocky IV by lifting weights six days a week. That tough bodybuilding plan gave him the massive look he needed to tower over Rocky in their epic showdown. | © United Artists
9. There’ll never be a Rocky IV. You gotta call a halt
In 1979, Stallone insisted, "There’ll never be a Rocky IV." However, by 1982, he began hinting at a sequel, suggesting that Rocky should expand his horizons to face international challenges, ultimately leading to the iconic Drago fight inspired by Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling. | © United Artists
8. Stallone was messed-up inside after Rocky II
After filming Rocky II, Stallone admitted he was messed up inside after Carl Weathers pummeled him with eight times more punches than in the first movie. He told Roger Ebert it was the most gruelling thing he had ever been through. | © United Artists
7. Stallone’s first version of Rocky was much darker
Stallone’s original Rocky script was much darker than the final draft. Mickey came across as openly racist, and Rocky even throws the final fight to escape boxing’s corrupt world. In the end, only about 10% of that dark first draft made it into the movie we know today. | © United Artists
6. Rocky’s iconic training montage would’ve been a 30-mile run
A calculation revealed that Rocky’s training montage ran about 30 miles through Philly’s streets. Even crazier, 800 schoolkids managed to follow right behind him. | © United Artists
5. Originally, the climatic fight wasn’t choreographed
At first, the final fight wasn't planned, and things were a mess during rehearsal. But then director Avildsen asked Stallone to write out every punch, and the actors spent weeks rehearsing like a dance, even watching 8mm footage to fine-tune the moves. | © United Artists
4. Stallone and Meredith wore prosthetic pieces throughout the film
Sylvester Stallone wore small prosthetic pieces over his eyebrows to give Rocky the look of fresh cuts around his eyes. Burgess Meredith even sported a fake cauliflower ear and a tube up his nostril to make Mickey’s face look permanently battered. | © United Artists
3. Stallone’s family members have been involved in production
Stallone’s family played major roles in Rocky. His brother Frank Jr. appeared as a street singer, his dad Frank Sr. rang the bell in the final fight, and their dog Butkus starred as Rocky’s pet. Behind the scenes, Stallone’s wife, Sasha, worked as the production’s still photographer. | © United Artists
2. Shooting in Philadelphia was done on a shoestring
Rocky’s Philly shoot ran on a shoestring, no trailers or caterers, just pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All outdoor scenes were lit with natural light, giving the film its gritty, real-world feel. | © United Artists
1. None of the primary actors in Rocky were the first choice
Rocky’s leads weren’t the studio’s first picks. Lee Strasberg wanted too much money, and boxer Ken Norton bailed for a TV show. That paved the way for Burgess Meredith as Mickey and a cheeky Carl Weathers, who mocked Stallone’s acting and faked boxing experience. | © United Artists
