Sylvester Stallone’s dad rang the bell at the start of a fight… and 9 other things you didn’t know about Rocky as it turns 40
The actor wrote his script in just three weeks... and Cher was considered for a part
THE Rocky series were the movies which rocketed Sylvester Stallone into the public eye, and cemented his position as an A-list celeb.
A rags to riches story much like Stallone's own, it follows the life of a working class Italian-American boxer, called Rocky Balboa, who gets a shot at the world heavyweight championships.
The original film was both written by and starring Stallone, and went on to earn £180 million worldwide - despite being made for just £860,000.
Here are 10 facts you might not know about the Academy Award winning sports film.
1. Top Dog
Rocky's dog Butkus is Stallone's dog in real life.
2. Fresh meat
Stallone spent so long punching animal carcasses in the meat locker scene that he did permanent damage to his knuckles - flattening them.
3. A very different ending
Early drafts saw Rocky throwing the towel in on his final fight because he no longer wanted to be a professional boxer.
While Mickey was supposed to be an angry racist.
4. Leading lady
Cher was one of the actresses considered for the role of Adrian.
Susan Sarandon also auditioned for the role - but was rejected because she was too pretty.
5. A quick turnaround
Stallone wrote the first draft of his script in just THREE DAYS.
But there were several re-writes before the film actually hit the cinema screens.
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6. Keeping it in the family
Several of Stallone's relatives were cast in the film. His dad, hairdresser Frank Stallone Sr, is the man who rings the bell to start a round during the fight scenes.
While his brother, musician and songwriter Frank Stallone Jr, plays a street singer.
7. Taking the lead
United Artists, who bought Stallone's script, didn't want him to play the main role - with established stars such as Ryan O'Neal, Robert Redford, James Caan and Burt Reynolds being proposed instead.
Stallone refused to budge and the company agreed to let him play Rocky - but slashed their price from £800m to just £400m.
8. This was one stair-ing you in the face
The two iconic scenes in which Rocky runs up the stairs at Philadelphia Museum - one failed attempt and a later, triumphant effort - were filmed just two hours apart.
9. Seal of approval
Rocky was the first sports movie ever to win an Academy Award (Oscar) for best picture.
10. On a sportsman's shoestring
The film's budget was so low that Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed) and Burgess Meredith (trainer Mickey Goldmill) had to share a dressing room.
While stock footage of sporting crowd scenes was used to fill out the arena.
And you can still see empty seats in the crowd.