The process of filming the Rocky franchise was very challenging for actor Sylvester Stallone. The actor went through intense training and followed a special diet in order to play Rocky Balboa, but the excess caffeine and protein combined with exhaustion took a toll on his health, especially his memory.
The problems came while filming 1982’s Rocky 3. That was the era when Stallone’s archnemesis was actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, so it was crucial for Stallone to stay in perfect shape. Rocky 3 wasn’t the best movie in the franchise, but it certainly helped set up the franchise’s future.
Sylvester Stallone drank 25 cups of coffee in a day while filming Rocky 3
Actor Sylvester Stallone once appeared for an interview with WSJ and talked about the time he was shooting 1982’s Rocky 3. He talked about his diet and how it included 25 cups of coffee,
“I am [a coffee drinker], but I keep getting reflux, so I have to cut it down. I used to drink about 10 cups a day. Actually, I used to drink about 25 cups a day when I was doing Rocky 3. My entire breakfast would be maybe two [small] oatmeal cookies made with brown rice and 10 cups of coffee because I wanted to keep my body fat down to 2.8%.”
It was very important for Stallone to stay in the best shape as he was playing the character of a professional boxer.
Sylvester Stallone revealed that he suffered from memory loss
The actor further explained that the diet and training were so intense that he had issues remembering things. He said,
“I was forgetting my phone number. I was eating just tuna fish. My memory was shot, it was completely gone. I was getting all kinds of debilitating physical effects. But it was for the cause.”
With Arnold Schwarzenegger gaining popularity, it was really important for Stallone to bring something exceptional to the big screen. Rocky’s underdog story, determination, and unbreakable spirit resonated with audiences around the world.
The Rocky franchise was a success
The Rocky franchise films have earned over $1 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful franchises of all time. The franchise had a significant cultural impact, inspiring generations of viewers and influencing pop culture. The character of Rocky Balboa became a symbol of perseverance, hard work, and overcoming obstacles.
In addition to the main Rocky series, the franchise also produced successful spin-offs. Creed (2015), Creed II (2018), and Creed III (2023) shifted the focus to Adonis Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan, the son of Rocky’s rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed. These films received critical acclaim, attracted new audiences, and revived the franchise.
Source: WSJ
