One of the most iconic and charismatic actors from the 80s and 90s, Sylvester Stallone has cemented himself as one of the Hollywood giants. Throughout his long and illustrious career, the Italian Stallion has appeared in several films such as The Expendables, Escape Plan, Rambo, and many more. However, his most iconic performance was in the Rocky franchise where he portrayed the role of Rocky Balboa, an underdog boxer.
Sylvester Stallone’s acting cemented Rocky Balboa as one of the most legendary boxing figures of all time. The viewers loved the character as he showcased qualities like determination and resilience. However, despite so much success, Burt Young, was not pleased to act in the film, until he met Stallone which made him change his opinion of the actor and the film.
Sylvester Stallone’s First Meeting With Burt Young
Fans of the franchise would remember Burt Young as the actor who played the role of Paulie Pennino, who was the best friend of Rocky Balboa. Young’s performance is nothing short of iconic as he played the role by showcasing the complex and raw emotions of the character. His struggles and support for Balboa made him a beloved character in the franchise.
Not only did Sylvester Stallone star in the Rocky films but also wrote the screenplay of the films. During an exclusive interview with The Rumpus, Burt Young was asked “Did Stallone cast you because he knew you’d fought?” The actor stated that it was the producers who cast him in the film, and he was probably the only cast member who did not go through the audition process.
“No. I was a butcher in the movie. It was the producers. I was the only actor that didn’t audition in the first Rocky. And I got the most money for it. I had already worked for [Robert] Chartoff for several movies already.”
Young continues that during a meeting, he meets Stallone for the first time, the Creed actor came and knelt next to him, introduces himself, and requests Young to play the titular role in the franchise.
My agent was trying to get a couple of dollars from them. And [Stallone] comes up to me at MGM. I’m having a meeting with somebody. He kneels down next to me. He says, ‘Mr. Young, I’m Sylvester Stallone. I wrote Rocky.’ I said, ‘F**king congratulations. You did a great job.’ ‘But you’ve got to do it, please. You gotta.’ I’m going to do it. He’s trying to twist my arm.'”
Stallone’s request was acknowledged by Burt Young as he played the role of Paulie Pennino in the six films of the franchise. His portrayal in the franchise remains iconic and fans think of him more than just a mere sidekick.
Sylvester Stallone Hates Rocky V
Sylvester Stallone was the creative mind and the face of the Rocky franchise, hence the the film series was like his child that grew along with him over the years. While ranking one’s work is a difficult task, Stallone did it and rated his films from best to worst. The actor discarded his emotions and attachment to the films, mentioning the pros and cons of each film.
However, during an appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Sylvester Stallone mentions that he gives a zero to the fifth film.
” Five? Oh, Zero. It was that bad. It was goose egg. I was definitely not there.”
The First Blood actor continued that the fifth film ignited his desire to make another sequel, as he did not wish to end his successful franchise with a bad film. Hence, years later he came up with Rocky Balboa, the sixth film of the franchise.
Rocky can be streamed on DIRECTV.
