Sylvester StalloneThe journey from his early years to today is truly one of hard work and determination. Early in his career, the actor struggled to land roles, with little or no success: most productions cast him as an uncredited extra. Her first starring role was in the 1970 adult film Party at Kitty and Stud’s, which he decided to take on due to the fact that he was homeless at the time after being evicted from his apartment. Four years later, the actor is gaining some recognition for his role in The Lords of Flatbushbut worldwide success would not come until 1976, when he starred in his first blockbuster, and also one of his most memorable: Rockythe story of a small club fighter who decides to face the world heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed.
Rocky launched a hugely popular Stallone-led franchise and made him the only actor in American movie history to star in a No. 1 box office movie for six consecutive decades. However, Rocky wasn’t the only franchise featuring Stallone: in 1982, Rambo saga began with its first episode, first blood. From then until the late 90s, Sylvester established himself as one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, and to this day he remains a top performer in all manner of productions.
While Stallone is best known for his acting roles, he has also served as a director, producer, and even screenwriter for a number of films, many of which he starred in. Here’s a look back at some of the best movies written by Sylvester Stallone.
8 home front
home front, the 2013 action thriller, is the only film written by Stallone that does not include him in the cast. This production, directed by Gary Fleder and based on Chuck Logan’s novel of the same name, follows a retired DEA employee who moves to a quiet town in hopes of putting his past behind him. However, he quickly discovers that this peaceful community harbors a very dark secret, and he is targeted by a gang of drug traffickers who force him to get back into action to protect his family. home front stars Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder and Kate Bosworth.
seven thriller
thriller is a 1993 film directed by Renny Harlin and loosely based on the story of mountaineer John Long. This production centers on Ranger Gabe Walker (Stallone), a seasoned climber in a rescue team who has retired after someone is killed during one of his missions. However, the crash of a plane hijacked by a criminal gang on a mountain sends him on the most difficult mission of his life. thriller Stallone stars alongside John Lithgow, Michael Rooker and Janine Turner, and after the premiere it became a box office hit, earning $255 million worldwide.
6 FIST
Stallone stars in the 1978 crime drama FIST as Johnny Kovak, an upstanding warehouse worker who, fed up with the unfair and inhuman working conditions at his workplace, decides to lead a campaign to organize the employees. Of course, this effort quickly drew the wrath of his employers, and following several threats, Kovak resigned to pursue a union career. However, his ties to organized crime would ultimately lead to the downfall of his career. Joining Stallone in the cast are Rod Steiger, Peter Boyle, Melinda Dillon and David Huffman.
5 The Expendables 2
Sometimes a sequel can be even better than the original movie. This was the case with the 2012 action movie The Expendables 2, directed by Simon West and starring Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. This second episode once again features the group of mercenaries known as the Expendables who undergo a new mission to get revenge on Jean Vilain (Van Damme), who killed one of their partners.
4 Rocky Balboa
Rocky V It was meant to be the last installment in the franchise, but in the wake of poor reviews and a poor box office performance, Stallone decided to take his beloved saga one last time. Thus, in 2006 Rocky Balboa came out, the sixth and final installment of the franchise, which turned out to be an absolute success. In it, the audience is reunited with the now-retired Balboa. Now a restaurateur, the ex-boxer commemorates his brilliant career by telling anecdotes to his customers. However, his passion remains alive and faced with a chance to compete in an exhibition bout with current star Mason Dixon, Rocky returns to the ring for one last show.
3 Rocky II
Three years later Rocky, a second installment hit theaters, but this time with Stallone as the lead actor, writer, and director. The latter role was heavily questioned by his production company, although they eventually agreed to it as Sylvester was reluctant to participate in any other way. Rocky II Balboa, now that he’s quit boxing, is enjoying life with his family. But some financial difficulties force him to accept Apollo Creed’s persistent offer of a rematch, through which the champion tries to prove that Balboa’s previous fight was just a fluke. Now Rocky has another chance to beat him.
2 first blood
first blood is a 1982 film notable for being the first successful adaptation of David Morrell’s 1972 novel. It follows John Rambo, a misunderstood Vietnam veteran who, after murdering a village policeman in self-defense, is cornered by security forces and the National Guard. To survive, Rambo must use all of his combat skills. The enormous popularity of this film has spawned a franchise that now includes five films and a television series, among many other productions.
1 Rocky
The first movie of Rocky saga tops this ranking as the one that consecrated Stallone as a Hollywood star and, in addition, as the third actor in history to be nominated for two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor. Rocky kicked off the hugely popular franchise by featuring the boxer in his first big sporting opportunity: a one-on-one fight with world champion Apollo Creed. Stallone wrote the screenplay for the film after watching the championship match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner in March 1975, and it took him just three days to complete the job. However, it took a long time for the film to get the green light for production, as the actor was determined to star in it, and United Artists were not happy with it. Eventually they gave in, and they weren’t wrong: Stallone made history with this iconic character, and the film became a hit with audiences and critics alike.