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My theory about Stallone's original intention for Rocky V

posted 5 years ago by LTUM (1050)
9 replies | jump to latest

I am sure I am right here.

I think he considered Rocky V to be a 'bookend' to the whole series, shutting the door for good, saying goodbye to the character, putting the whole thing to bed.

So many things support this. Returning to the humble roots. His brain ailment. Re-launching his life as a non-fighting one. Returning the helm to the original director, John Alvidson. And the main clue is the black and white photos slideshow during the closing credits, with the song 'measure of a man.'

But yep, that slideshow was Stallone saying 'so long' to the series. Then, he revived it for Rocky 6 in 2005 but I think that was an afterthought. I think the original intention was for V to be the final segment.

Thoughts?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Well, your theory is stupid and there wasn’t a Rocky VI, it was called Rocky Balboa

[–] LTUM (1050) 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TheHungryHippo (821) 5 years ago

It was definitely intended to be the final one.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 5 years ago

I think so. And being such a classic. It should’ve ended that way.

[–] MeYouFools (174) 5 years ago

Not a theory; fact. Sly's said as such since he was doing publicity for it in 1990 up into the modern day. He originally tried to kill Rocky, but the studio wouldn't let him even though they began shooting the movie with the intention that Rocky would die at the end.

And you know something? I have the appearance he made on Arsenio Hall (with Sage) and Sly says the EXACT same damned thing about "IV" that he did about "V" when "Balboa" was coming out.

[–] LTUM (1050) 5 years ago

Not a theory; fact. Sly's said as such since he was doing publicity for it in 1990 up into the modern day. He originally tried to kill Rocky, but the studio wouldn't let him even though they began shooting the movie with the intention that Rocky would die at the end.
And you know something? I have the appearance he made on Arsenio Hall (with Sage) and Sly says the EXACT same damned thing about "IV" that he did about "V" when "Balboa" was coming out.

Aw man that is fascinating. Cool post, thanks!

[–] TaRaNRoD (1579) 5 years ago

What??? Stallone was quite opened about that. It WAS intended as the final chapter, and then the fans were all disappointed and well... even though Rocky Balboa is way better in every ways.

[–] MaximRecoil (4744) 5 years ago

Yes, it was originally intended to be the last Rocky movie, which is why I made a point of seeing in the theater (I was almost 16 at the time). It was my friend Tom's idea to see it in the theater, and when I asked him why he was so hell-bent on seeing it in the theater (we were usually content to wait for new movies to come out on home video), he said it was because it would be the last Rocky movie and he'd never seen a Rocky movie in the theater before. That made sense to me, and I decided to see it in the theater too.

As a side note: between the time of that conversation and the theatrical release of Rocky V (which was several months), Tom became a pothead and his entire personality changed practically overnight. He didn't want to do anything anymore except smoke pot and hang out with his new pothead friends, so he didn't see Rocky V in the theater, even though I told him he could ride to the theater with Dad and me. In hindsight, he didn't really miss anything.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

It WAS supposed to be the last one. Originally, Rocky was slated to die in it.