But You Don't Have to Call Me Silvester

Actor Sylvester Stallone (R) holds a shirt with his name as he poses beside soccer team Real Madrid's president Ramon Calderon at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid January 28, 2008. REUTERS/Alejandro Gonzalez/Real Madrid/Handout (SPAIN). EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

Or You Can Call Me Sylvester

U.S. actor Silvester Stallone poses during the presentation of the movie 'Rambo' at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008.

Call Me Sly

U.S. actor Silvester Stallone poses during the presentation of the movie 'Rambo' at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

This Much

U.S. actor Silvester Stallone poses during the presentation of the movie 'Rambo' at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in Madrid, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)

Hi There

Actor Sylvester Stallone arrives for a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Hi

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Big Wave

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Sly in Madrid

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Hello

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Thumbs Up

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

More Madrid

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Stallone Poses

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Stallone Waves

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Madrid 3

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Stallone Poses

Actor Sylvester Stallone poses during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Sly in Spain

Actor Sylvester Stallone waves during a photocall to promote the movie "Rambo" in Madrid January 28, 2008. Stallone stars in this film which he also wrote and directed. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN)

Sly Arrives

Actor/director Sylvester Stallone (R) arrives at the world premiere of the movie Rambo in Las Vegas, January 24. An iconic action-hero of the 1980s whose rise coincided with the waning years of the Cold War, John Rambo's return is proof that in Hollywood, old soldiers never die -- they just make sequels. (AFP/Getty Images/File/Ethan Miller)

Sly @ PH Vegas

Actor Sylvester Stallone arrives for the movie premiere of 'Rambo' at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, January 24, 2008. (Steve Marcus/Reuters)

Sly on German TV 2

German actor Til Schweiger, actress Karoline Herfurth and US actor Sylvester Stallone (L-R) are pictured during the German TV show "Wetten dass...?" (Bet that..) in Salzburg, Austria late January 26, 2008. REUTERS/Uwe Lein/ Pool (AUSTRIA)

Sly on German TV

German TV show host Thomas Gottschalk (L) and US actor Sylvester Stallone watch a TV monitor during the German TV show "Wetten dass...?" (Bet that..) in Salzburg, Austria late January 26, 2008. REUTERS/Uwe Lein/ Pool (AUSTRIA)

Sly Gestures 2

US actor Sylvester Stallone gestures during the German TV show "Wetten dass...?" (Bet that..) in Salzburg, Austria late January 26, 2008. REUTERS/Uwe Lein/ Pool (AUSTRIA)

Sylvester Stallone Gestures

US actor Sylvester Stallone gestures during the German TV show "Wetten dass...?" (Bet that..) in Salzburg, Austria late January 26, 2008. REUTERS/Uwe Lein/ Pool (AUSTRIA)

Sly & Til Schweiger

U.S. actor Sylvester Stallone (R) jokes with German actor Til Schweiger, during the German TV show "Wetten dass...?" (Bet that..) in Salzburg, Austria late January 26, 2008. REUTERS/Uwe Lein/ Pool (AUSTRIA)

Sly, Reynaldo, Julie & Matthew

Actor Reynaldo Gallegos, actor/director Sylvester Stallone, actress Julie Benz and actor Matthew Marsden (L-R) arrive at the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Jennifer & Scarlet

Jennifer Flavin, wife of Sylvester Stallone, poses with their daughter Scarlet Rose at the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. Stallone wrote, directed and starred in the movie. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Jennifer @ Rambo Premiere

Jennifer Flavin, wife of Sylvester Stallone, arrives for the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. Stallone wrote, directed and starred in the movie. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Rambo Cast Two

Actors (L-R) Tim Kang, Jake La Botz and Reynaldo Gallegos, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actress Julie Benz, actor/director Sylvester Stallone, and actors Matthew Marsden and Graham McTavish pose at the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Rambo Cast

Actors (L-R) Tim Kang, Jake La Botz and Reynaldo Gallegos, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actress Julie Benz, actor/director Sylvester Stallone, and actors Matthew Marsden and Graham McTavish arrive for the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Rambo & The Governator

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) and actor Sylvester Stallone arrive for the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Sly & Arnold Joke

Actor Sylvester Stallone (R) jokes with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as they arrive for the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

Sly Arrives

Actor Sylvester Stallone arrives for the movie premiere of "Rambo" at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada January 24, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)

SZ Exclusve Report: Rambo Premiere

SZoner, SlyStalloneFan sent in these pictures and the report that follows:

I just got back from the Red Carpet Premiere of RAMBO in Las Vegas. I had such a great time there and was honored to see Sly "my idol" again. I had the chance to see many of the stars playing in the Rambo film including, Julie Benz, Matthew Marsden, Graham Mctavish, Jake La Botz and others. I also saw Jason Bigs, Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz. Then the TERMINATOR himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was there. I totally did not expect to see him but it was really great. And of course the main man himself Sylvester Stallone. Stallone was really nice to the crowd. He answered a lot of questions and took his time with the press. He was in incredible shape and so was his beautiful wife Jennifer Flavin. Anyway, thats just a little story of me being at the Rambo Premiere. I hope you like the pictures.
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Thanks to SlyStallone Fan for the great report and photos!! - Craig

Sly in Spain

SZoner, Alejandro Tomás sent in a link to a new video of Sly Stallone in Spain at the Real Madrid Soccer Stadium. - Craig

Odds Against Rambo

Sly talks about the odds against getting Rambo made HERE at SkyNews. [Thanks to Justin West for the link.] - Craig

Richey's Right

Jeremy Richey posted his review of "Rambo" on his blog and a quote rang so true that I wanted to post it here:

"...if someone like Spielberg’s name was attached to this film exactly as it is, it would be greeted as a revisionist classic by the same critics who are currently trashing Stallone."

You know he's right. - Craig

In the Eye of the Tiger

SZoner, Gerald Chuah sent in the drawing above [one of over 40] that appears in his book In the Eye of the Tiger: Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone's Films. To learn more about the book, click HERE. - Craig

Rambo is Huge in Malaysia

SZoner, Ghostrecon wrote in with the photo above from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to say that Rambo is huge there. He saw Rambo on opening night and loved it! - Craig

French Rambo Site

Anthony wanted SZoners to know about his French Rambo site! - Craig

Mike Marcus is a Superfan!

SZoner, Mike Marcus saw "Rocky" when he was seven years old [31 years ago] and became an instant fan. Mike says that Sly's films have been a constant inspiration and that he uses many of Sly's training methods in his workout routines. Mike is also proud to say that his young son is also a Stallone fan. You can see them both along with some of Mike's Stallone memorabilia in the photos above and below. - Craig

Dustin Hennick is a Superfan!

On January 23rd, Dustin Hennick sent in the photo above of a piece of art that he created in hope that he could get Sly to autograph it at the "Rambo" premiere.

As you can see from the above photo Sly did sign it as his daughter looked on.

Sly signing Dustin's art was picked up by a couple of wire services!

Dustin sent in this close-up of Sly's autograph! Congrats and thanks to Dustin for sharing this experience with us. Hopefully we'll see more of Dustin's art in the future. - Craig

Robo Boda is a Superfan!

Robo Boda is a big Sly fan from the Slovak Republic. He sent in some pics of his Stallone collection and said that his most valuable piece is his 12" Rocky statue. You can see more photos of his collection at his webpage, www.sylvester-stallone.sk.

Thanks to Robo for sharing! - Craig

Death Wish Fan Teaser

SZoner, Gerardo Moreno made this fan teaser for the proposed "Death Wish" re-make. - Craig [PS - Gerardo's first language is not English]

Best & So Bad They're Good

Peter Hartlaub in the January 20, 2008 San Francisco Chronicle takes a look at The Best and So-Bad-They're-Good Sylvester Stallone Movies. - Craig

Sly on HGH

TodayShow.com presents a video clip of Sly talking with Matt Lauer about HGH. “I wish it were true that you could take something like that and get in shape,” the movie icon told TODAY co-host Matt Lauer on Friday in New York. -- You can see the clip HERE. - Craig

Rambo's Essence

Michael Price for the January 21, 2008 Fort Worth Business Press says that "‘Rambo’ restores Stallone’s signature character to a near-original essence." Here are a few excerpts:

* “The thing you gotta remember about Sly,” a lifelong pal and fellow actor named Joe Spinell (1936–1989) said of Stallone during the 1980s, “is that he ain’t who he plays. He’s an artist of calculating intelligence and good humor, and a lot of the violence that the audiences take at face-value in these Rambo pictures — that’s Sly’s satirical response to the excessive tastes of the marketplace."

* Stallone invests the role with a realistic acceptance of the aging process, and with traces reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart in 1951’s The African Queen and Clint Eastwood in 1992’s Unforgiven...

You can read the full article HERE. - Craig

Live and Let Sly

On January 20, 2008, Reed Tucker wrote about the updated Rambo for the New York Post in his article Live and Let Sly. - Craig

Sly Speaks

Peter Howell writes about Rambo's Return for TheStar.com. Here's some of what he had to say:

* [Sly] "in 1976, was hailed as the new Marlon Brando, Oscar-nominated for both writing and acting in Rocky, that year's Best Picture winner."

* Stallone returned to his Rocky character last year for the well-received comeback picture Rocky Balboa, which even the Razzies couldn't fault.

* Sly: "You have careers of peaks and valleys and you harken back to things that you're known for. Every actor would like to say they're Daniel Day-Lewis and they have this incredible palette, but quite often you're known for certain things."

* [Sly] had no trouble at all slipping back into character. "I love it," he says, and the smile is proof of sincerity.

* When a journalist suggests Rambo is one of the most violent movies going – even more than the blood-soaked Sweeney Todd – Stallone interrupts him.

"Not one of the most. The most. I tried very hard for this."

He had to argue his case before the censors of the Motion Picture Association of America,which wanted to give Rambo the audience-limiting NC-17 rating. He managed to persuade the MPAA to give it the more accommodating "R" rating.

Stallone believes it's important to show people the truth about "the most brutal regime on the planet," even if the truth hurts.

* [Sly] starts talking about what he might do next. Maybe something with his muscle-bound peers Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

He's seen Space Cowboys, the 2000 actioner that teamed Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and Donald Sutherland as aging astronauts who hit the skies one more time.

"I have a very, very bizarre idea," he says, teasing his press audience.

"It's probably absurd. It's got a formula to it. But if I told you I was gonna do one about a 61-year-boxer you'd go, `Yeah, sure.' If you can find the right formula, almost anything is feasible. It's just coming in there and having the audience go, `Okay, that's possible.' It's weird, but feasible. Space Cowboys, hello? It worked!"

For the full article, click HERE. - Craig

Sly @ PH is News

From Rediff India Abroad:

His name is John Rambo, and while Sylvester Stallone might be 61, he's ready for more action.

Here, Stallone is at Planet Hollywood in Times Square, New York City, donating Rambo memorabilia to the restaurant franchise.

The way he's holding that crossbow, the actor seems more than set for the big role.

Rambo releases worldwide on Friday, January 25.

Photograph: Scott Gries/Getty Images

PageSix Photo

On January 18, 2008, PageSix.com ran a larger image of the above photo which you can see by clicking HERE. - Craig

Sly for the Defense

The BBC News reports that "Celebrities including Sylvester Stallone, Muhammad Ali and Spike Lee could be called to court in the trial of actor Wesley Snipes. Mr Snipes is being prosecuted on charges of tax fraud and conspiracy."

You can read the full piece HERE. - Craig

80's Tough Guys

The January 18, 2008 Sydney Morning Herald ran the following:

Sylvester Stallone thinks he is tougher than modern action stars.

The 61-year-old Rambo actor believes he and his 80s "peers", Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, are far more "physical" than today's "hands-off and intellectual" Hollywood heroes.

He said: "I think that some young actors will look at me as this archaic, prehistoric creature because now we've become much more scientific, less personal.

"Most of my peers were very physical. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis - they were just more hands-on. I think that a lot more actors today are hands-off and they're more intellectual."

Stallone believes Rambo would wipe the floor with Matt Damon's Bourne Ultimatum character Jason Bourne in a fight.

He joked: "Rambo would murder Jason Bourne. I'm kidding. Maybe the one in The Transporter though - Jason Statham."

Stallone also revealed he is now "best buddies" with his former big screen rival Schwarzenegger.

He added in an interview with Britain's The Sun newspaper: "I see him every Saturday at Cafe Roma in Beverly Hills.

"It's funny because we used to be so competitive in the '80s and now we're the best buddies in the world."

Rambo, the fourth film featuring Stallone's formidable ex-soldier John Rambo, is due to hit cinema screens next month.
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You can read the full piece HERE. - Craig

Still More From Planet Hollywood

Actor Sylvester Stallone makes an appearance at Planet Hollywood Times Square to promote his latest film 'Rambo', Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

More From Planet Hollywood

Actor Sylvester Stallone makes an appearance at Planet Hollywood Times Square to promote his latest film 'Rambo', Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly & Bruce 2

Actors Bruce Willis, left, and Sylvester Stallone ride motorcycles after an appearance on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly & Bruce

Actors Bruce Willis, left, and Sylvester Stallone ride motorcycles after an appearance on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York.

(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly @ Planet Hollywood 3

Actor Sylvester Stallone makes an appearance at Planet Hollywood Times Square to promote his latest film 'Rambo', Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly @ Planet Hollywood 2

Actor Sylvester Stallone makes an appearance at Planet Hollywood Times Square to promote his latest film 'Rambo', Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly @ Planet Hollywood

Actor Sylvester Stallone makes an appearance at Planet Hollywood Times Square to promote his latest film 'Rambo', Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Sly on Letterman

In this photo released by CBS, actor Sylvester Stallone, left, discusses his Rambo character with host David Letterman on the set of 'The Late Show with David Letterman,' Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)

Sly's Death Wish

Sly talks up Death Wish at IGN.com. - Craig

MovieWeb Interview

MovieWeb has a nice interview with Sly HERE. - Craig

XBox Rambo Art

SZoner, Adam Shippee sent in the art above from the XBox 360 Rambo game! - Craig

Sly Interview

I received this e-mail and thought SZoners would appreciate it as well:

Hey Craig,

I run www.collider.com

And wanted to let you know I posted clips from Rambo and a new interview with Sly.

Take care,

Steve

-----
Check out his site -- it covers all aspects of entertainment! - Craig

Extra Death Threats

Extra covers the death threats Sly received while filming Rambo in Burma. - Craig

Page Six

Richard Johnson of The New York Post follows up on Janice Dickinson's claim that Sly used steroids in front of her. This pretty much sums it up:

When informed of the exchange, Stallone's representative fumed to Page Six, "Janice Dickinson lied about the origin of her child, and she's lying about this."

You can read the entire article HERE. - Craig

Extra Interviews Sly

Extra interviews Sly HERE. - Craig

Tough Guys for Tough Times

Alex Williams in an article for the New York Times says that we need Tough Guys for Tough Times. - Craig

Jennifer Stallone Profiled

Jennifer Flavin-Stallone is profiled in the December/January issue of Haute Living Magazine. - Craig

German Fan Site

Stephan Franck wants SZoners to know about his new German Sly Fan Page. Click HERE to get there! - Craig

Fan Art

SZoner, Juan Carlos Silva is an artist and Sly fan from Peru. Juan sent in a couple of his drawings. You can see more of his work HERE. - Craig

Stuff in the Basement

SZoner, Paan, is a huge Stallone/Rocky fan. Check out Stuff in the Basement her very cool tribute site. - Craig

Rocky Christmas

SZoner, Cynthia sent in a photo of how a Rocky statue added to the Christmas decor. Remember, SZoners, if you have a photo of you and your Rocky statue, send it in and we'll post it. We'd love to see the Rocky statues from around the world! - Craig

PS - If you still haven't got yours, they are available from Thomas Schomberg, the man who created the original Rocky sculpture, for "Rocky III" by clicking HERE.

This One's For the Birds

Mark Kresel makes birdhouses and gives them away. It's his hobby. He's makes each house as a gift for someone and fashions it to reflect their personality. He's made birdhouses for his friends as well as many famous celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mariah Carey, Shirley Temple, Bruce Springsteen, Hulk Hogan, Bon Jovi, Julie Andrews and others.

You can read all about Mr. Kresel's unique hobby HERE. - Craig

Access Hollywood: 12 Movies for 2008

Access Hollywood.com posted the recent article "12 Reasons To Head To The Movies In 2008" and Rambo made the cut! Here's what they had to say about it:

January 25: “Rambo”

Posters are already cropping up featuring a spray painted imprint of Sylvester Stallone’s manly jaw and trademark “Rambo” bandana as the hype over the fourth installment of this film franchise begins to grow. Many doubted the box office legend could successfully revive “Rocky” as an over-50, but he did and he did to great effect. Now, it’s “Rambo’s” turn as the action packed Burmese jungle fighting journey hits the screens at the end of January.

For the full article click HERE. - Craig

Rocky: One of the Best Movie Endings

Deke Farrow, a writer for McClatchy Newspapers, looks back at some of the great movie endings of all time. He chooses Rocky and says:

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) crying out for his wife (Talia Shire) after his bloody bout with Apollo Creed in "Rocky" (1976).

--"Adriaaaaan"

For the full article, click HERE. - Craig