Rocky, a movie about a local boxer fighting his way to make his dreams come true, debuted in 1976. This movie would catapult Sylvester Stallone into becoming a household name – even all these years later. Ricky IV, my personal favorite; came out in 1985. It featured Stallone as the titular character fighting against the Russian powerhouse Ivan Drago, played by Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren.
Lundgren and Stallone have worked together since, in both the Expendables franchise and in future Rocky/Creed films. However, Stallone is unhappy with both Lundgren and producer Irwin Winkler over the announcement of the spinoff film Drago. According to Stallone, he is disappointed over the Hollywood exploitation of characters he’s created.
“After IRWIN WINKLER And FAMILY SUCK ROCKY DRY ! Presumed to be the most hated , untalented , decrepited , Producer in Hollywood and his cowardly children have found their next meal… Drago ?”
“Throughout history so many artists in every industry ,recording , painting writing , you name it have been destroyed by these blood suckers Who have destroyed so many families , lining their pockets with other people work.. #parasite producers #exploited artists victims,”
I can absolutely understand Stallone’s frustrations – as this seems to be what Hollywood producers do. Milk a franchise until there’s nothing left. It does break my heart a little to see Stallone expressing his frustrations against Lundgren, as their friendship has spanned decades. I truly hope this can end amicably. If we know anything about the nature of the entertainment business, money talks, so if a spinoff about Ivan Drago’s son makes money, that’s all that matters in the eyes of producers. In 2019, Stallone revealed he no longer had the rights over the Rocky franchise, so MGM can technically do whatever they want with these characters.
What do you think of this situation? Let us know!
Source: Variety