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Unfortunately, kids these days likely only know of Sylvester Stallone as that super-Italian sounding guy from The Expendables and Creed. In fact, even if you have been around the block for a couple of decades, you still may be unaware of the fact that not only did Rocky win the Academy Award for Best Picture, but Stallone — who wrote the screenplay himself — was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor. And he was still only 30-years-old! Impressive, impressive shit. I feel like in the canon of filmmaking feats, Stallone’s accomplishments with the original Rocky get lost.
But I digress. As we all know, for what the Rocky franchise may have lost in prestigious accolades, it’s made up for in box office success, as the franchise is now eight films deep, with a ninth, Creed III, in the early stages of development.
Now, considering that the original not only launched the entire franchise, but was the result of Stallone’s own blood, sweat, and tears, you’d think that’d be the film he’s most proud of. And you’d be wrong.
According to the action icon himself, the Rocky film that he’s most proud of is 2006’s much-overlooked Rocky Balboa, which saw Stallone return to the franchise for the first time since Rocky V in 1990.
Sylvester Stallone took to Instagram to answer questions from fans as a way to pass the time and entertain people while we’re all stuck at home. The first question he answered dealt with the fact that he though Rocky was his best film, but the actor/writer/producer/director then goes on to say that he’s most proud of the sixth Rocky film, because it was the hardest one to make happen. According to Stallone…
I’d have to say my best movie probably of course is Rocky. The one I’m most proud of is Rocky Balboa. Because no one wanted to make it. I sat around for six years trying to make that film and when it came out, I was so proud of it, because of what we had to go through to get it done. [via CinemaBlend]
It just goes to show that sometimes our greatest achievements are also our most personal.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com