There has been a revelation for fans of the classic Rocky franchise, as Sylvester Stallone hinted at taking the character to a series as a prequel. In an interview with the Inspire Me Podcast, Stallone shared that he has written a couple of pages for what could be a storyline to bring back Balboa as a teenager.
The prequel will trace his early life, including how he met Adrianna, the character Talia Shire played in the original films. The new storyline, Stallone said, echoes the 1955 animated classic Lady and the Tramp, but with real people and real emotion.
This plot twist would follow the raw, tender moments of his and Adrianna's romance long before any boxing gloves or title belts were ever part of their lives. For Stallone, this prequel is an explanation of how the young fighter was molded through the relationships and settings surrounding him.
The Rocky prequel is a nostalgic return to the 1960s
The new prequel is going to be set in the 1960s, a time of significant cultural shifts and revolutions. These days, Stallone has been sharing teases about the direction the series will take, which likely includes major historical events such as the moon landing, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Cold War.
This backdrop is more than just a setting; it is intrinsic to understanding Rocky's initial struggles and victories. The essence of young Rocky before he rises as an icon for his near-unmatched determination, which millions adore, will be at the heart of this prequel.
Projected to run for several seasons with 10 episodes each, Stallone wants to give not only the main character time for development but also his infamous friend Paulie. This format will allow the series to explore not only Rocky's physical battles but also his emotional ones.
Sylvester Stallone’s vision for the Rocky prequel is a love story at its core
While Rocky has always been about more than boxing, this prequel delves deeper into the character's emotions. Anchoring this prequel is the love story of the young boxer and Adrianna. Their relationship has, for good reason, been central to the franchise since the first film.
Talia Shire played Adrianna with brilliance in the original movies, taking what could have been a simple love interest into realms of substantial depth. Stallone's vision for the prequel involves showing how it all started with this relationship and how it shaped the man he would become.
Quoting from his appearance on the podcast:
“Seeing Adrianna at 15, Rocky at 17, and Paulie moving into a new neighborhood, Rocky's your bad boy. It's almost like Lady and the Tramp, but with real people. It's going to be wonderful.”
This places the prequel in the league of Lady and the Tramp: a story of innocence, charm, and the raw emotion that has always been a hallmark of the series. The toughness associated with the original series is balanced with tenderness in how it explores young love and its accompanying challenges.
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The prequel is planned to be released on a streaming platform, although no specific platform has been confirmed yet.
Stay tuned to SoapCentral for further updates on the Rocky prequel series as Sylvester Stallone works to bring this project to fruition.
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