A bunch of websites state that stallone got the original director fired due to cteative differences. He then wanted to direct but let long time camera operator and 2nd unit director macdonald be given title and duties of directing. But stallone ended up doing the majority of the directing and macdonald was more of a ghost director. Anyone know if its true?
shareI know that Stallone basically used George P. Cosmatos as a ghost director on part 2. Given that most of MacDonald's other work (before and since) has been second unit directing, special effects and stunt camera work he probably handled the "nuts & bolts" aspect of directing but had to defer to Stallone on any creative matters.
shareStallone couldn't direct this because he doesn't know how to direct this kind of films yet, he admitted this by himself during the making of Rambo 4. If anything, he was telling their directors what he wants in the films, but on a technical side of filmmaking he always trusted their more educated filmmakers (Cosmatos, MacDonald).
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