WTF: Sylvester Stallone Planning ‘Rocky: The Musical’
Says it would make Rocky proud. Would it?
Everyone knows Rocky as one of the best boxing dramas ever made and one that launched writer/director/actor Sylvester Stallone into stardom. It’s a classic that stands the test of time and a movie that every other boxing movie tries to emulate. Years later, Stallone now plans to make a musical based on the film. Yes, you read that right. Chalk this up to the ‘things we never expected’ pile.
THR reports that in Hamburg, Germany, Stallone officially announced ‘Rocky: The Musical’ which he will develop along with champion boxers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. Before you start wondering of the logistics of re-creating those epic boxing matches on stage, remember that the focus is different with this version.
The film will focus more on the romantic side of the story instead of the action drama bit, which makes sense for the stage. Here’s his own words:
“At the end of the day, Rocky is a love story and he could never have reached the final bell without Adrian. To see this story coming to life on a musical stage makes me proud. And it would make Rocky proud.”
Thomas Meehan will write the script while lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty will work together on the film which will be budgeted at $15 million and debut in Hamburg. The lead actor is yet to be chosen and trained, and it of course will not be Stallone himself once again. Songs from the film like “Eye of the Tiger,” “Gonna Fly Now” and “Take You Back” will be in the musical with Alex Timbers directing.
Though the fact that Stallone himself is involved is a relief, I find this a strikingly odd concept and not a suitable film for the stage. Sure, it’s an inspirational story but much of its strength was the cinematic version where the emotions come through. It makes as much sense to turn this into a musical as it did for ‘Spider-Man’, and we all know how that turned out to be.
What do you think of a Rocky musical?
