March 24, 2022 – Rocky

Happy Throwback Thursday! Today we’re spotlighting the year 1976. The highest-grossing movie that year was Rocky! Sylvester Stallone wrote the script in just 3 and a half days, after watching Muhammad Ali fight Chuck Wepner in March 1975. He shopped the script around to several studios but insisted on playing the lead himself. United Artists offered him $350,000 for the rights, but they weren’t interested in casting Stallone as the lead. Instead, they had their sights on Robert Redford, James Caan, or Burt Reynolds. But Stallone refused to sell his film unless he could star in it, and ultimately the budget was cut substantially to compromise. It ended up being filmed for just over $1 million, with Stallone being paid $20,000 for the script and $350 per week for acting.
The producers also had some issues casting Apollo Creed and Adrian. Initially, they wanted real-life boxer Ken Norton to play Creed, but he ended up pulling out of the film and Carl Weathers wound up with the role instead. Susan Sarandon, Cher, and Bette Midler were all considered for the role of Adrian. However, Sarandon was deemed too pretty and Midler turned it down. Talia Shire auditioned at the last minute and was ultimately cast. Because of the film’s low budget, Stallone’s family was also involved, including his father, brother, and first wife.
The movie was released in November 1976 to critical acclaim. It spawned a total of 8 sequels, with the next Creed III scheduled to be released in November of this year. The film won 3 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Learn more here.