The world of “Rocky” goes on in
the sequel film series “Creed,” even if the iconic sports film character
himself, as memorably portrayed by Sylvester Stallone for decades, will no
longer be around in the upcoming “Creed III.” For fans that will miss the
Italian Stallion with the unyielding determination and cast-iron chin, there is
always the original “Rocky” film series to go back to. Re-watching them after
the release of the “Creed” movies has been a treat, to spot some elements from
the former popping up in the latter. And with the news that one of the “Rocky”
installments is being re-released in a director’s cut is incredibly exciting.
Now as Gamespot tells it, the hype has increased by multiples when it was
recently revealed that the director’s cut for the 1985-released “Rocky IV,” first
announced in August last year, will be given a more on-the-nose retitle. Say
hello to “Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut.” The new title was
confirmed on social media by Sylvester Stallone himself. As the “Rocky” star
says, “We shot a full length behind the scenes documentary. While re editing
ROCKY 4, This is a little taste. When the film comes out it will be called.
ROCKY VS DRAGO - The ultimate directors cut. Enjoy and keep punching."
Accompanying Stallone’s Instagram
post is a video showing him in action with his editing crew, poring over every
second and every frame of “Rocky IV” as they turned it into the “Rocky vs.
Drago” cut. In fact, their work on the director’s cut is being presented as a
production in itself, a documentary called “Keep Punching: The Present Meets
the Past” which will be bundled along with the recut film.
“Rocky IV” has become a key
component of the film franchise especially since 2018’s “Creed II.” In the
former, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa finds himself facing the Soviet
champion Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) in an unsanctioned match with both
political and personal stakes, as Rocky fights to avenge his rival/friend
Apollo Creed’s death in Drago’s hands. In the latter, the now-aged Rocky trains
the late Apollo’s son Donnie Creed (Michael B. Jordan) to fight Viktor Drago
(Florian Munteanu), who is personally trained by his father Ivan. The story of “Rocky
IV” is shaping up to be given a renewed polish via the “Rocky vs. Drago”
director’s cut. And while it has no release date yet, it could serve to sate “Rocky”
fans who are disappointed that he will not return in “Creed III,” starring and
directed by Michael B. Jordan.
Image from Comic Book Resources
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