Veteran actor and “Rocky” creator Sylvester Stallone told CBS Sunday Morning that trying to build a career in today’s Hollywood would be “big trouble” for him. Speaking with host Tracy Smith on the network’s new 92NY series, Stallone reflected on how the industry has changed since his breakout success in the 1970s.
Changing attitudes and storytelling
Stallone said the current generation of actors “look different, they act different” and that the subject matter of contemporary movies is something he “couldn’t relate to.” He added, “No, I would be in trouble” if he attempted to launch a new career now.
Comparisons to classic cinema
When asked whether a modern version of “The Godfather” could be made, Stallone replied, “If you were going to make ‘The Godfather’ today… try casting it,” implying that the iconic film’s tone and casting would be difficult to replicate under today’s standards.
What if “Rocky” never happened?
Stallone also mused about an alternate path had “Rocky” not become a cultural phenomenon. He joked that he might have ended up “in a cell somewhere” or working with horses, saying, “I was about the same intelligence as a horse. I was going to be a horse person, I related to the animals.”
Murphy’s Law and personal habits
The actor explained that he lives by Murphy’s Law – “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” – a mindset he credits for his perseverance. He shared a quirky habit he practices when staying in hotels with his wife, Jennifer Flavin: he walks the route to the fire escape to know exactly how many steps it takes in case the lights go out.
Family life and upcoming memoir
Stallone and Flavin, who married in 1997 after meeting in 1988, have three daughters: Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet. Although Flavin filed for divorce in 2022, the couple reconciled a month later. Stallone announced that his memoir, titled “The Steps,” will be released on September 29. When asked about the most important “step” in his life, he said it will always be the first one – the moment he decided to pursue his dream and keep moving forward.
Legacy of a Hollywood icon
“Rocky” remains one of the most successful films of its era, earning more than $225 million worldwide on a modest budget and winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Stallone wrote and starred in the movie, earning Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, and the franchise has endured for decades.
Stallone’s candid reflections highlight the stark contrast between the Hollywood of his early career and the industry’s present landscape, underscoring how shifting cultural tastes and production norms can reshape the path to success for aspiring actors.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
