Rocky: The deleTed ending Copyright © 2014 by Maarten Mulder Books Printed in the Netherlands First edition By MAARteN MULDeR Text and design by Maarten Mulder This book is not for sale and it’s not intended for commercial release. It’s been made for private use only and no profit has been made from it. The purpose of this book is to give an insight in the original planned ending of Sylvester Stallone’s classic movie Rocky. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. MAARTEN MULDER BOOKS Contents Foreword Part I: Part II: Part III: Part IV: The poster The fight The script The ending Source 6 Rocky: The Deleted Ending Rocky: The Deleted Ending 8 19 23 43 55 83 7 Part I: The poster T he famous poster of the movie Rocky depicts a scene from the movie between Rocky and Adrian after the memorable fight of Rocky and Apollo that never appeared in the final movie. Somehow it makes the poster more unique, because the poster tells a story of its own. The shot that was used in the poster actually comes from the originally intended ending for the movie. After a rough cut of the movie had been assembled, write and star Sylvester Stallone and director John G. Avildsen evaluated the ending and decided that it was to downbeat and that there was something missing. Stallone and Avildsen decided to reshoot the ending and to finish the movie with the emotional embracement between Rocky and Adrian after the climatic fight scene. While this reshoot was in development, the promotion department of Rocky had already designed this poster for its release. Left: Sylvester Stallone during the première of Rocky on November 21, 1976 in New York City. Right page: The original theatrical poster of Rocky, 20 featuring Rocky and Adrian from the deleted ending. Rocky: The Deleted Ending Part II: The fight M any people would depict Rocky as a boxing or sports and go to distance. movie. But labeling it as a love story or a story of an underdog going to distance would be more appropriate. For Apollo the fight was more a show. He enters the arena in a boat It’s a love story between Rocky and Adrian and it’s a personal struggle dressed up like George Washington. Before the match starts he plays of Rocky himself who want to proof that he was not ‘just another with the audience and with Rocky, who is just in awe because he bum from the neighborhood.’ All these elements that make Rocky is standing in the same ring with the world heavyweight boxing special comes together in the final of the movie. champion, who he admires. Apollo was sure he would knock Rocky down in the third round. But as soon as the bell rings Apollo Being raised with the words of his father ‘You weren’t is surprised by the resilience of Rocky who managed to knock the born with much of a brain, so you better start using champ down in the first round for the first time in the champ’s career. your body,’ boxing became a metaphor for Rocky to proof himself that he can achieve more in life. When Apollo’s expectation to finish the match with Rocky in the third round he surprisingly gets a change to fight the world is soon gone since Rocky managed to collect Apollo’s punches and heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed, he to punch back as well. Each time Rocky is knocked down and gets wants to make sure that he can proof to himself that up, Apollo is in disbelieve. The fight eventually last 15 rounds and he was not ‘just another bum from the neighborhood.’ Rocky goes to distance. Although Apollo gets the decision from the The final fight between Rocky and Apollo became jury and wins the fight, Rocky feels he has won too. the highlight of the movie. Although Rocky knew he wasn’t capable of winning from Apollo Creed, all he wanted to proof is that he could last the 15 rounds Left: Rocky before the match against the world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed. Rocky knows he has no change of winning, but all he want 24 to do is go to distance. Rocky: The Deleted Ending Next pages: A series of photographs from Rocky of the famous boxing match between Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed for the world heavyweight boxing championship title. Rocky: The Deleted Ending 25 26 Rocky: The Deleted Ending Rocky: The Deleted Ending 27 Part IV: The ending 72 Rocky: The Deleted Ending Rocky: The Deleted Ending 73 74 Rocky: The Deleted Ending Rocky: The Deleted Ending 75 76 Rocky: The Deleted Ending Rocky: The Deleted Ending 77