Sylvester Stallone took a seat in the director’s chair with El Rey Network. This incredible and in-depth interview is currently available to watch online for free at El Rey Network’s website (click here to watch.) Normally, “The Director’s Chair” is only viewable to cable subscribers who receive the El Rey channel, known for their grindhouse films and gritty action movies – the perfect home for Rocky and the rest of Stallone’s action heroes.
Sly sat down with fellow director Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn, Machete) for this one-on-one conversation about his experiences in directing his own films throughout his career including his work on Rocky II, Rocky III, and Rocky Balboa. Stallone also shares some wonderful behind the scenes stories about the writing of and making of the original Rocky, as well as how he first got started in acting and some failed attempts at drama on the stage in his early days which ended up being the catalyst that sent him into the world of screenwriting. Sly’s influence on the character of John Rambo and how he morphed from script to screen is covered, as well as Stallone’s directorial debut with Paradise Alley.
Perhaps most fascinating is Sly’s discussion on how difficult it was so both star as Rocky Balboa on screen, and direct the movie at the same time – especially during brutally exhausting fight sequences with Carl Weathers, Mr. T, Hulk Hogan (who knocked Stallone down with his enormous size) and Dolph Lundgren, who, while in character as Ivan Drago, punched Sly with such force that it ruptured the fluid sac around his heart, requiring a four day hospitalization during the filming of Rocky IV.
“ROBERT IS THE BEST INTERVIEWER EVER! Please check it out! Sly,” Stallone Tweeted following his sit-down with Rodriguez. The man is right – this is definitely one of the best interviews we’ve seen Sly participate in, with the freshest information and new slants to old stories. Catch it while you can!
