12 Most Insane Things Happening In Movies & TV Right Now (Nov 23rd)

4. Rocky Almost Met The Pope

Now, this isn't strictly new news, but a delightful story over on ScreenCrush has reminded every Rocky fan, ahead of the release of Creed II that Sylvester Stallone had some... interesting ideas for Rocky III.

Back in 1979, Stallone spoke to Roger Ebert about the sequel and his grand plan, which would have included one of the world's most recognisable landmarks and God's appointed representative on Earth. Which is exactly what you'd expect from a boxing movie, isn't it? Here's how he described it:

‘[Rocky’s] last bout will be in the Roman Coliseum, carried worldwide by satellite,’ Stallone said, and his voice picked up enthusiasm. ‘Can you see it? Rocky in the Coliseum? The last gladiator? And, for training, running up the Spanish Steps? And, Rocky’s deeply religious; can you imagine him inside St. Peter’s? I'm seriously gonna try to work in an audience with the Pope into the film. I dunno. Maybe with this Pope, he’ll go for it. If he don’t, we get another Pope.’"

We get another Pope. Just like that. That's an absolutely fine thing to say.

Stallone also later told Ebert that he wanted Rocky to drop dead at the end of the movie in a taxi after his victorious final bout. Presumably because he'd be smote down by God for suggesting they simply get another Pope or something. Praise be that he changed his approach on this one, though he did say in the same interview that “I don't think people want to see Rocky when he's 80,” and there's a very real chance of that with the Creed series.