Much like remakes, sooner or later every single film with the merest hint of name recognition will eventually pop up on the radar of people who think it could work as a stage musical. But clearly looking to get a jump on any outsiders, Sylvester Stallone has been quietly plotting to make Rocky into a tune-filled extravaganza for a while now, and has finally made it official.
The Wrap picked up a statement from Sly and his partners at Stage Entertainment, who are planning to premiere the thing in, of all places, Hamburg in November 2012. Talk about off, off Broadway!
We’re not sure how much boxing action will be included, but the focus will be on Rocky Balboa’s relationship with Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire in the 1976 original). At the end of the day, Rocky is a love story, and he could never have reached the final bell without Adrian,” Stallone said in a video press release. “To see this story coming to life on a musical stage makes me proud. And it would make Rocky proud."
As for the music, the plan is apparently to weave songs associated with the films – including the iconic 'Eye Of The Tiger' – into a show that also includes new material. And it’ll be "filled with values such as courage, love, honesty and faith". But can you make a big dance number around someone punching cow carcasses? Looks like we’ll find out…