If you've even a passing familiarity with the Rocky franchise, you'll know the shockwaves sent through the fandom when Sylvester Stallone announced last year that he was planning to release a new director's cut of Rocky IV with fresh footage, but without one of its greatest ‘80s excesses: the robot butler Sico that becomes a companion to Burt Young’s Paulie. We even tracked down the 'bot's creator to ask how he felt. Now people will be actually able to see the new cut in cinemas – albeit for one night, and in the States. Check out the trailer for what is being called Rocky IV: Rocky Vs. Drago.
The story remains largely unchanged – Rocky Balboa (Stallone) defends his title once again, this time against Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union and who, in the course of the film, kills Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
![Rocky IV Ely Director's Cut poster](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6156/457c/3170/e545/ed73/a480/rockyiv-sly-poster.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
As of right now, the first chance to see the film will be via a one-night only livestream event in US cinemas via Fathom events on 11 November, which includes an introduction and Q&A with Sylvester Stallone. You can find tickets here. As for when it might make its way across the pond? Watch this space...