What's your favourite Sly Stallone scene?

[The Joker]

I'll throw in Sly's deaf shoot out in Cop Land.

"I can't hear you, Ray."

[The Laughing Fish]

I would've posted the following in the Rambo thread, but I saw it got locked, so I'm going to post this here.

There's something I don't get about Rambo dying in the alternate ending of First Blood. In a behind the scenes featurette, Kirk Douglas was originally cast to play Trautman, and he did a rewrite with Rambo dying in the end. He argued killing Rambo off would've been necessary from an artistic standpoint, but Stallone and the producers disagreed. Stallone, in particular, thought it would've sent a bad message to Vietnam War veterans; many of whom were struggling with persecution and socioeconomic hardships upon returning home from duty, which was something that Rambo had touched upon during his emotional breakdown during the ending. As far as the the producers were concerned, they thought Rambo had sequel potential.

Here is the confusing thing though: not only did they shoot the alternate ending, it was shown at a test screening too.

I suppose one might say they wanted to check if the audience would've had a negative reaction to that ending, and they absolutely did. But I find strange that Stallone and the producers' explanations would agree to shoot the scene if they were really against it from a commercial and artistic point of view. My guess is Ted Kotcheff had the final say in how the film should've ended, but changed his mind when he witnessed the angry audience reaction during that test screening.

FWIW, the alternate/original ending would've been faithful to the book, as Rambo did die by Trautman's hand. But whether the explanations to change it were revisionist or not, I'm quite glad they opted for Rambo to surrender in the end. Stallone's performance in the last few minutes in the end is very underrated, and does give a somewhat heroic end in terms of taking responsibility for what he had done. Plus, from what I've understood, the Vietnam War was a very touchy subject at the time, and First Blood had been described as breaking through a social barrier to raise awareness of the difficulties of veterans trying to adjust back to society that has rejected them. In that case, I agree with Stallone 100%. Rambo turning himself in the end gives the hope he can recover from such an ordeal.

Besides, if Rambo had died prematurely, all the future terrorists and drug traffickers would've been spared from the carnage and punishment they deserved. 

[The Laughing Fish]

Speaking of Kirk Douglas... RIP.

[thecolorsblend]

This is a more general valentine to Stallone's career.

One thing that I admire about Stallone is his willingness to play to his strengths on the one hand while simultaneously taking creative risks on the other. It's not just any Hollywood artist who can do that. But (the films) Rocky Balboa, John Rambo and others prove that Stallone to challenge himself.

He's teaming up with some outlaw comic book pros for an Expendables comic book. The crowdfunding for this thing is off the chain. 765% of the original target AND CLIMBING. I'll become a backer myself after payday.

There are so few true blue artists today in Hollywood who have had real longevity. But Stallone is one of them for sure.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-expendables-go-to-hell-graphic-novel

[The Laughing Fish]

Here is a surprise: Stallone says Demolition Man 2 is in the works.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6033455/sylvester-stallone-demolition-man-2/

A sequel to the original should've come out in the mid-90s. It's way too late for that now.

[thecolorsblend]

How long can it possibly be until John Cobra comes along?

(And yes, I would watch it)

[The Laughing Fish]

How long can it possibly be until John Cobra comes along?

(And yes, I would watch it)

I think you mean Marion Cobretti? 

[thecolorsblend]

How long can it possibly be until John Cobra comes along?

(And yes, I would watch it)

I think you mean Marion Cobretti? 

This what I get for posting while watching Rambo.

[The Joker]

Here is a surprise: Stallone says Demolition Man 2 is in the works.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6033455/sylvester-stallone-demolition-man-2/

A sequel to the original should've come out in the mid-90s. It's way too late for that now.

I was hoping for a prequel focusing on the Franchise Wars. 

[Silver Nemesis]

officialslystallone: For the 35th anniversary Rocky 4 Is getting a new DIRECTORS cut by me. So far it looks great. Soulful.. Thank you MGM For this opportunity to entertain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEhh2xCplu0/?igshid=8a5w47y8icpm

The only thing I'd change about Rocky IV would be to have 'The Sweetest Victory' by Touch play over the end credits, as was originally intended. Other than that, I love the film exactly as it is. I'm struggling to see how it could be improved by a director's cut.

Rocky V, on the hand, is crying out for a re-edit. Of course that movie was directed by John G. Avildsen rather than Sly. But since Avildsen passed away in 2017, and Sly was the producer/screenwriter, I think Stallone would be justified in overseeing the re-edit. The workprint of Rocky V offers a glimpse of how much better the theatrical cut could have been.

Perhaps if the Rocky IV DC is a success then Sly will turn his attention to Rocky V and Rambo III next. I'd also like to see the uncut versions of Nighthawks and Judge Dredd get released.