Sly's Russian Vodka Ad

The SZoner known as RussianFan posted a link to Sly's Russian vodka ad on the StalloneZone message boards. You can see the bigger version here. - Craig

Sly Meets Mayor

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone waves to the media outside Sofia municipality building before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov (not pictured) September 28, 2008. Local media reported Stallone is considering of shooting a new movie in Bulgaria.

REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov (BULGARIA)

Sly to Shoot in Bulgaria?

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone waves to the media outside Sofia municipality building before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov (not pictured) September 28, 2008. Local media reported Stallone is considering of shooting a new movie in Bulgaria.

REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov (BULGARIA)

Sly in Bulgaria 2

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone arrives at the municipality building in Sofia, Bulgaria, before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov, not seen, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. Stallone is considering shooting a new movie in Bulgaria.

(AP Photo)

Sly Arrives

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone arrives at the municipality building in Sofia, Bulgaria, before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov, not seen, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. Stallone is considering shooting a new movie in Bulgaria.

(AP Photo)

Sly in Bulgaria

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone waves to the media in front of the municipality building in Sofia, Bulgaria, before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov, not seen, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. Stallone is considering shooting a new movie in Bulgaria. (AP Photo)

Sly & the Photographers

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone is photographed outside Sofia municipality building before his meeting with Sofia's mayor Boyko Borisov (not pictured) September 28, 2008. Local media reported Stallone is considering of shooting a new movie in Bulgaria.

REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov (BULGARIA)

Sly Gestures

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone gestures during a Zurich Film Festival Master Class in Zurich, Switzerland, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008.

(AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella)

Sly Speaks

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone, right, speaks as festival director Karl Spoerri, holds his Golden Icon Award, during the Zurich Film Festival in Zuerich, Switzerland, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)

Sly: Zurich Wave

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone reacts with fans, during his arrival at the Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)

Sly Receives Golden Icon Award

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone reacts after he received his trophy during the Golden Icon Award ceremony at the 4. Zurich Film Festival September 26, 2008. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (SWITZERLAND)

Sly Signs in Zurich 2

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone signs autographs as he arrives on the red carpet before receiving the Golden Icon Award at the 4. Zurich Film Festival September 26, 2008. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (SWITZERLAND)

Sly Signs in Zurich

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone signs autographs as he arrives on the red carpet before receiving the Golden Icon Award at the 4. Zurich Film Festival September 26, 2008. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (SWITZERLAND)

Rambo Rolls into Zurich

On September 25 2008, Swissinfo.ch posted a piece titled "Rambo Rolls into Zurich" which gave details about the Zurich Film Festival and Sly's Golden Icon Award. You can read the full piece here. - Craig

Sly & Zurich Fans

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone with fans during his arrival at the Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)

Sly Profilin' with Award

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone looks at the trophy he received during the Golden Icon Award ceremony at the 4. Zurich Film Festival September 26, 2008. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (SWITZERLAND)

Sly Arrives

Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone, left, with festival director Nadja Schildknecht, center, and Karl Spoerri, right, during his arrival at the Film Festival Zurich, Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland.

(AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)

Sly Fan Art

It's been a while since we heard from SZoner, Adam Shippee, but he's back with his latest piece of Sly art. Adam can be reached at ashippee1@cox.net - Craig

Rocky vs Rambo

A little over a year ago, I was contacted by Jake Kalish. He said that he was writing a book about imaginary fights and was looking for expert opinions. Jake wanted me to weigh in on the Rocky vs Rambo fight. So I did. Jake recently contacted me to let me know that a copy of the book, Santa vs Satan: The Official Compendium of Imaginary Fights would be coming my way and that a link to the StalloneZone was printed along with my commentary. Here's how I saw the fight:

• "Rocky Balboa vs John Rambo. Its the battle of the ages (and no, not because they're, at this point, no longer spring chickens). Sylvester Stallone is brought in as the guest ref. There will be no judges as this is a fight to the finish. Rambo starts out fast and takes an early lead as he gives Rocky a beating that would kill most men... BUT... Rocky... never quits. In the later rounds Rocky made a comeback and looks to have Rambo beat. After twelve grueling rounds with both men bloody and bruised, Sylvester Stallone, in a SLY (groan) move, calls the fight a draw." - Craig Zablo

How did the other experts see the fight? Ari Voukydis went with Rocky in an upset, Graham Thompson said it was Rambo in an easy win, and Roger Barr gave the nod to Rambo. Jake Kalish says Rambo wins via split decision.

If you're wondering about the other fights in the book, there are some imaginative ones: Muhammad Ali vs Bruce Lee, Han Solo vs Indiana Jones, Donald Duck vs Daffy Duck, Michael Corleone vs Tony Montana, My Dad vs Your Dad, Captain Crunch vs Tony the Tiger. Each fight has expert opinions and then Jake gives us the "official" fight commentary and results.

The book reminds me of junior high kids wasting an afternoon deciding "who would win if..." [Not that there's anything wrong with that.] I do have to caution that sometimes the humor crosses the line of good taste, but if you can get past a few, "I can't believe he wrote that moments" you'll find plenty of chuckles as you drift back to junior high and think about "who would win if..." - Craig

Arnold vs Sly

Earlier this week I received the following e-mail:

Hey, stumbled upon your website via Google earlier and figured that I would send you over an email. Awesome website! My friends and I have recently started up an Arnold Versus Sly website and thought you might want to check it out.

http://www.arnoldversussly.com

Evan
+++++
I've checked out the site and it looks like fun... although they have Arnold ahead 3-2 at this point in the movie battles. - Craig

Rocky vs Rambo

On January 23, 2008, Cole Haddon profiled Sly and his work on bringing Rocky and Rambo back to the big screen. In the piece Sly talks about his debate with Quentin Tarantino in regard to the artistic choice to not kill off Rambo, how vanity got in the way of earlier movies, and how age has added a certain weight and responsibility to Rocky and Rambo. The piece is definitely worth a look. - Craig

Sly @ Extra Bash

On September 17th, Extra celebrated it's 15th year on television with a little bash. Sly was on hand for the festivities. You can click here to see a short video of the event. - Craig

Stallone Art Slideshow!

Over the years Gerardo Moreno has created quite a few pieces of Stallone art, which he has always been gracious to share with us. Gerardo put together a slide show of the art that you can see above. Thanks for Gerardo for sharing his talents. We hope to see more Stallone art in the future. - Craig

Rambo Sculpture Selling Out!

Last week I posted about the Rambo statue from Hollywood Collectibles Group being available for pre-order. Shortly after the post, the following e-mail arrived:
+++++

Hi Craig,

Thanks for that!

The statue is now getting very close to being sold out for the whole production run.

I have a pre production sample from the factory & it looks great - just like the paint master. So it is now in production.

So if any of your guys want one with the discount, they need to be quick! This has sold through very quickly and I would imagine will sell for more down the line on the secondary market. Especially when Rambo 5 comes out!

Best,

Mark
+++++

Remember SZONErs, to get your discount enter "R412" (case sensitive for the "R") when ordering. Thanks to Mark and the great folks at Hollywood Collectibles Group for hooking us up! - Craig

New Stallone Fan Site

Edmundo is a long time Brazilian Sylvester Stallone fan who discovered the StalloneZone four years ago. Edmundo has started up his own site which you can see here. Check it out and let him know that I send ya! - Craig

PS - I almost forgot to mention the sweet Bill Pruitt painting used in his logo.

Sly as The Dark Knight

Frank Miller, the genius behind such comic book classics as "Batman: Year One," "The Dark Knight Returns," "Sin City," and many other classic tales has been riding high on the success of movie adaptations of his work. Miller recently told a reporter that if "The Dark Knight Returns" was to make it to the big screen, he'd love to see Sylvester Stallone in the title role. Miller was quoted as saying, "I loved 'Rocky Balboa.' This wounded warrior, that's what Batman is in 'Dark Knight Returns'... Just that mouth of his, the scowl and the way it would look in a mask."

Of course this is just speculation on Miller's part. I can't imagine that Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" would be heading for the big screen at this point due to the fact that Christopher Nolan's version did so well. What would be cool though is for an animated "The Dark Knight Returns" be made using Miller's designs and story. Even if it wasn't done for theatrical release, as long as it wasn't geared down for little kids, it could work. And you know you'd love to hear Stallone's voice coming from The Dark Knight. This would be a great project for HBO or Showtime, or even FX.

PS - And, you just know I'd love to see Miller and Stallone working on any project!

Frank Performs on the 26th!

SZoner, Jacy asked me to remind everyone about Frank's performance on the 26th! Remember to send photos if you make it! - Craig