For some, tonight marks the end of a painful, sixteen-year wait. After the most famous boxer in cinema history landed the final punch in his appalling fifth screen outing in 1990, it looked like he’d exited the ring for the last time. But this is Rocky, and in the world of big fists and even bigger franchises, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Yes, Sylvester Stallone, the man behind the muscle, is in London this evening to promote the return of his most beloved creation. With the crowds gathered outside the Vue cinema in Leicester Square to await the Champ’s arrival, the stage is set for the UK premiere of **Rocky Balboa, **and with the half of the Premiership – and Jennifer Ellison – now in the building, Empire is ready to meet our new sparring partner for the evening.
Round 1
Whilst many doubted the public’s interest in a Rocky comeback, Balboa has proved a surprise hit at the US Box office, having already taken over $65million in its first three weeks of release. Stallone may have now rung the final bell on his thirty-year saga in the ring, but the lovable Philli-born boxer has decided to go out in style with chants of ‘Rocky! Rocky!’ resonating along the red carpet: “They [the fans] are just so giving”, said Stallone. “What’s really shocking is they are all so young. I wrote the movie for people my age – it’s the only demographic I know. But people my age don’t come out very often and young people do. So I’ve begun to realise that Rocky Balboa really translates to a lot of different people”.
Round 2
Everyone knows the key to a successful Rocky movie is the inclusion of a stern-faced training montage – preferably with some serious guitar played throughout – and in preparation for the return of Rocky, Stallone had to bulk up and re-apply for gym membership: “I damaged everything”, he revealed, “I broke my foot, I had a bulge on my neck and the champ (played by Antonio Tarver) broke his fist. He had to fight with a cast on, so every time he hit…” (At this point Stallone grimaces and reveals that the whole episode will included on the DVD – nice.)
Round 3
“It feels incredibly gratifying to be back and I wish everyone could have a second shot at their life, because you learn so much the first time around. You really don’t know what you have until it’s gone”. Empire is now confused as to whether we’re talking to Rocky Balboa or Sylvester Stallone. “He is an everyman. There’s nothing extraordinary about him. He never complains and he likes to help other people. He never thinks he’s going to win, he’s just going to try”. Definitely Rocky, we hope.
And, with one last revelation – he watched his mother Jackie’s Celebrity Big Brother 2006 appearance on Youtube – one of cinema’s last action heroes strides (not sprints) up the escalator (not steps) and heads for the auditorium, while Bill Conti’s rousing Rocky fanfare continues to blast across the city.