“Creed,” a spiritual successor to Sylvester Stallone's award-winning film “Rocky,” casts him in the same role that catapulted him to fame. And as the 1970's movie gave him awards, this retelling just might do the same.
The Los Angeles Times reported that “Rocky” might be seen by fans as something that's already done. In fact, writer and actor Stallone has seen it that way as well but was quite cautious at the thought of a remake that would cast him as the iconic boxer, only now aged and having a surprising role.
Written by “Fruitvale Station's” Ryan Coogler, “Creed” puts an aged Rocky Balboa into the screen, this time as a coach to Adonis Creed – the son of Rocky's first rival Apollo Creed. Adonis seeks Rocky's help to train for the ring.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle's Mick LaSalle, Stallone still does a pretty good job portraying the beloved role:
“Sylvester Stallone didn't write or direct 'Creed,' and he's not even the star of it, but he's the one people will be talking about for days after. His portrayal of Rocky Balboa as an old, tired man, who has been beaten into some true wisdom, is heartfelt but in no way corny. The performance is the apotheosis of everything Stallone has meant to people in almost 40 years on screen.”
Not only did Rocky Balboa become a fan favorite through the years, the first film itself made history in its time. CBS News reported that “Rocky” won the Oscar for Best Film in 1977.
Stallone, who wrote the script, told Stephen Colbert on the “Late Show” that he had a hard time getting that main role.
"One hundred percent," he said, referring to the difficulty in convincing filmmakers.
"Everyone fancied themselves as a fighter and they said who's that guy with the crooked mouth and the droopy -- no, forget him. He looks like a heavy bag, leave him ... I don't know if it could happen today because really, I was not qualified on paper. It was a terrible choice they made; I just got lucky."
Yet, he was nominated for best actor and for best screenplay when the movie was released.
"Only Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles have been nominated in those two categories in the same year," Colbert emphasized.
Now that “Creed” is up, and with Stallone reprising the award-winning and fan-getting iconic role, he just might get nominated again, Showbiz 411 noted.
What do you think? Do you think that by reprising his famous role, Stallone will contend for awards once again? Share your opinions below.
