Sylvester Stallone Reflects on Modern Hollywood: "I Would Be in Big Trouble" Today

Veteran actor Sylvester Stallone has expressed a belief that he would encounter considerable difficulty forging a career in today's Hollywood landscape.

During a recent discussion with Tracy Smith for a new series presented by CBS Sunday Morning at 92NY, Stallone, renowned for his role as Rocky Balboa, addressed whether he thought he could replicate the success he achieved five decades ago.

"No. It's a whole different mindset. The actors look different, they act different. The subject matter, I couldn't relate to," Stallone observed. "No, I would be in trouble."

He further illustrated his point by drawing a comparison to the classic 1972 film, The Godfather.

"If you were going to make 'The Godfather' today… try casting it," he challenged.

The Rocky Phenomenon and a Different Path

Elsewhere in the conversation, Stallone pondered what his life might have been like had Rocky not achieved its monumental success.

"I would have been in a cell somewhere," he remarked with a chuckle, alluding to incarceration. "Or in husbandry with horses and animals. I was about the same intelligence as a horse. I was going to be a horse person, I related to the animals."

Upon its release in 1976, Rocky quickly became a global cultural phenomenon. The film garnered over $225 million worldwide against a modest budget and earned the Academy Award for Best Picture. Stallone not only penned the screenplay but also starred in the movie, securing Oscar nominations for both Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.

The triumph of Rocky launched a successful, enduring film franchise and cemented Stallone's status as one of Hollywood's preeminent action stars.

Embracing Murphy's Law and a New Memoir

Stallone revealed to Smith that he has always lived by "Murphy's Law"—the popular adage asserting that "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." He attributes this philosophy to fueling his determination in achieving Rocky's success.

An illustration of how this principle still influences Stallone's daily life involves his routine when staying at hotels with his wife, Jennifer Flavin. The actor shared that he meticulously walks the path to the fire escape from his hotel room. He explained that he needs to know the exact number of steps required to reach safety in the event of a power outage.

Stallone and Flavin first met in 1988 and exchanged vows in May 1997. They are parents to three daughters: Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet. Although Flavin initiated divorce proceedings in 2022 after 25 years of marriage, the couple reconciled just one month later.

In this current chapter of his life, Stallone is preparing for the release of his memoir, titled The Steps.

When questioned at the 92NY event about the most significant "step" in his life, Stallone unequivocally stated it would always be the very first one.

"It really is that first step. When you go, 'I'm all in, and I'm going to keep going up these steps until my legs go out.' It's the journey of life," he concluded.

The Steps: A Memoir is scheduled for release on September 29.