Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky series is one of the most enduring franchises in cinematic history. There’s been a new movie every decade since the 70s, beginning with the Oscar-winning 1976 Rocky and currently ending with Creed II in 2018. Over that time the Italian stallion has built a massive global fanbase, which apparently also includes young girls.
Yup, judging by a new video posted to Stallone’s Instagram account the under tens simply can’t get enough of a beaten-down, brain-damaged Philly boxer getting the crap knocked out of him by various 1980s muscle-men. The video appears to be shot at a driving range, with the girls coming over with their tennis coach to meet the star. It’s heartwarming stuff, especially when Stallone compares his boxing skills to their jujitsu lessons and allows one of them to put him in an arm lock.
View this post on Instagram
These girls will presumably be first in line when Stallone’s much-anticipated director’s cut of Rocky IV hit theaters later this year. Now officially titled Rocky vs Drago, the movie will expand on the climactic fight and crank up the brutality of the match. But, sadly, he’s also cutting out the scenes with Paulie’s robot girlfriend (reportedly to avoid paying royalties to its designer). After some delays, this new version was recently confirmed for a theatrical release on November 11, 2021.
Beyond that, we can start looking forward to Creed III. This is slated for a November 22 release and will star Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut. Stallone seems to be sitting this one out, with the story revolving around the son of Clubber Lang (to be played by Deontay Wilder). It doesn’t end there: a new Rocky film about him befriending an illegal immigrant has been pitched, as well as a prequel TV series about Balboa’s early life in Philadelphia.
I guess you really can’t keep Rocky on the mat for long.