Sylvester Stallone would undoubtedly be in the top five of Hollywood’s most famous action movie stars. His iconic roles in films like Rocky and The Expendables defined his career in the said genre, and it would never be the same without his performance.
Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 4

Like many celebrated stars, he had his fair share of difficulties dealing with insecurity. Being an action star is a tough job, especially when they have to constantly be in shape and perform their own stunts.

Sylvester Stallone Believes Hollywood Sleeps On Action Movies

In his interview with GQ, Creed actor Sylvester Stallone revealed he considered leaving show business after his work on Cop Land:
“Oh, totally. Many times. After ‘Cop Land,’ I actually made a declaration: ‘I am done with action films!’ Like I’m moving on to a world of… in action [laughs].”
He also admitted the project totally drained him in the worst way, saying: “I had to give up all my armor.” The actor pointed out how it triggered his repressed childhood trauma.

With his lengthy career in the entertainment industry, Stallone witnessed how Hollywood often disregards action films. He shared his thoughts on the matter:
“Action films are dismissed as ‘filler,’ when they provide the money for ‘artistic films’ to be financed, and when the time comes to give recognition, it’s dismissed. ‘It’s not filmmaking per se.’ Oh, it is. I’ve done ‘Cop Land,’ and I’ve done action films, and it’s very hard to do a good action film.”
Sylvester Stallone
The 76-year-old Rambo star believes action movies are far more complicated than drama films. The pacing should progress throughout the story until it reaches the climax, unlike regular dramas where the goal is to move the viewers.
“If the action film doesn’t perform, it derails itself. It can be too top-heavy with action, not enough action, the characters are not there.”

Stallone noted that when he first entered the industry, there was no such thing as action movies. Films had bits of action, but they do not specifically fall under the said genre.

Sylvester Stallone Reflects On His Most Iconic Action Movie Role

There’s no denying that Sylvester Stallone will always be remembered as Rocky Balboa, even the actor claims it is his legacy and shares his thoughts on the character:
“The character of Rocky, I’m fused to that. So his ‘never-give-up-ness’… For every guy, there is an opportunity to be a lot better than he thought he could be. We can’t all be the star of the team, but we can be a star in our life. That’s where you set your goal. And that is attainable, because if I did it, it’s feasible.”
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
As one of the biggest action stars of his time, Stallone reacted to the word that he is often underestimated, as compared with other big-time actors, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, in terms of box office numbers:
“There’s a physicality. We’re interpreted by primary impression. And away from film, I was physical. I work out a lot, and I didn’t mingle in a lot of political circles. I thought you just went to premieres, and everybody loved everybody.”
Sylvester Stallone will star in the upcoming action-thriller film The Expendables 4, coming to theaters this September 22, 2023. Cop Land is available on Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+.

Source: GQ