Sylvester Stallone’s memoir The Steps is out September 29, in the year Rocky turns 50. In a new interview, the 80-year-old actor talked about writing down memories he had kept to himself for decades. He also made a point of saying that, after all his success, he no longer considers himself an underdog.
Stallone told the Associated Press:
“I am a lucky dog.”
He still understands why people connect with Rocky Balboa. The character starts with little money or status and gets a chance to prove himself. Stallone said the movie continues to reach young viewers who know the character even if they did not grow up watching his films.
What is in The Steps?
The book follows Stallone from his arrival in New York in 1969 through Rocky’s Best Picture win at the 1977 Oscars. It covers his childhood, early acting years and the work behind his first Rocky screenplay. Stallone said he had been asked to write a memoir before, but revisiting parts of his past was difficult. He told AP he had spent 50 years trying to put some of those memories away.
Stallone’s own site says the memoir is available in hardcover, e-book and audiobook, with Stallone reading the audio edition. The book spends time on the years before he became famous, so readers get more of his life than the story told in the film.
He is still working on Tulsa King
Stallone now stars as Dwight Manfredi in Tulsa King, and he told AP he starts studying his lines well before filming. That preparation has not stopped just because he has a long career behind him.
Paramount+ says Tulsa King Season 4 premieres October 16. Stallone returns as Dwight and remains an executive producer. The series’ first three seasons are already on Paramount+; the new season has not premiered yet.
Rocky is returning to theaters
The original Rocky returns to theaters in a 4K restoration from November 7 to 11, according to Fathom Entertainment. Tickets are on sale, and the screenings include a short feature about the making of the new film I Play Rocky. The rerelease gives fans a chance to see the 1976 film on a big screen during its anniversary year.
The new movie I Play Rocky opens in select theaters on November 6, with a wider release later in November. Anthony Ippolito plays a young Stallone, and Peter Farrelly directs. I Play Rocky is about making the original movie; it is not a remake of Rocky. Stallone spoke with Farrelly about the project but was not involved in making the film. Asked by AP what he thought of it, Stallone said:
“It’s fantastic. And the kid (Ippolito) did a great job.”
