Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise has been a beacon of hope, endurance, and triumph for the better part of the last couple of decades. Ever since its inception in 1976, it has evolved and transformed into a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire and resonate with the collective conscience of generations.
Being no less than a Metaphor for the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of life, the journey of Rocky Balboa has turned into an enduring legacy. After six revered Rocky films and 3 Creed films, it is hard to imagine the last years without the franchise, however, things would have turned out very different if Stallone had gotten to film his first choice of ending for Rocky 3, which surprisingly also included a Pope!
Reason Why Sylvester Stallone Wanted A Pope In Rocky 3
Sylvester Stallone has always been a bit quirky when it comes to his preferences, while most of the time it works out, many reckon his original idea for the end of his beloved Rocky franchise would have turned out any good. Back after the release of Rocky 2, the Hollywood legend sat down to talk with Roger Ebert to discuss the franchise’s future.
Despite taking a terrible beating that had his insides messed up (quite literally!), Stallone wanted to film Rocky 3 featuring another grand fight taking place in the Roman Colosseum (of all places!) and having (The) Pope in attendance, which was also supposed to be Rocky Balboa’s last fight!
“His last bout will be in the Roman Colosseum, carried worldwide by satellite. Can you see it? Rocky in the Colosseum? 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.”
Stated Stallone excitedly to Ebert despite just having revealed that it would have been his last movie as Rocky. While this certainly seems shocking, the next interview he gave to the reporter just a year after had an even more bizarre addition to this storyline.
Sylvester Stallone Wanted To End Rocky Franchise In A Bizarre Way
While in June 1979 Sylvester Stallone wanted the Pope to be in Rocky 3, in July 1980, which was the second time he talked with Roger Ebert, he had an even crazier addition to the storyline. Talking to the esteemed journalist just months before his Rocky 3 was going to start shooting, the actor revealed his new plans for what was supposed to be the end of the Rocky franchise.
“If I have the nerve, if I have real nerve, Rocky should die at the end of the third film. I was originally thinking in more grandiose terms – the Colosseum and everything – but ‘Rocky III’ should end with more than a fight. It should end with Rocky’s life coming full cycle, The way I imagine it, after the fight, he’s riding home in a cab, with the roar of the people chanting ‘Rocky!’ still in his ears. And he just drops over dead.”
While this does seem bizarre, Stallone reasoned that Rocky would have achieved everything he wanted, and killing him would have made it complete for he never had plans to make another Rocky film since it wasn’t a time when franchises were popular.
Fortunately and thankfully, Stallone’s plans never happened and we got a timeless tale with an enduring message and inspiration that continues to resonate with the audience.