Read the original script.
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ThresholdDweller — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 07:30 AM)
I heard he wanted to be in it, but couldn't due to contractual obligations with some reality show. Too bad. Tell us more about his part in the script. I never knew his character was actually written into the original script - I just thought that Stallone had offered to have him return. Did he have any scenes outside of being a commentator?
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jsn_hylnd — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 08:12 AM)
Naw, he was only there for the big fight unfortunately. The way they introduced him was cool, one commentator goes "what's your prediction for tonight's bout?" and Clubber responds "pain." Also when Rocky sees Clubber sitting at the announce table he goes "is that Clubber?, his hair is still the same" and Paulie asks "why is he smiling so much?" to which Tony Duke responds "heard he found god" and then Rocky says "that will do it." Clubber was all praise when talking about Rocky for example commentator 1 asks Clubber "do you think Rocky looks intimidated" and Clubber wonderfully answers with "fool, how you ever gonna intimidate Rocky after being in there with a monster like me."
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ThresholdDweller — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 08:17 AM)
Ha! Cool, thanks for sharing that. I always envisioned that if Clubber had been in the movie, he would have been cheering Rocky on during the fight, getting all animated, screaming things like "Get him Balboa" or something that only Mr. T could pull off.
I know that I would have absolutely loved that, and I'm pretty sure other viewers would have, too. It would have struck a major chord for 80s nostalgia. -
ThresholdDweller — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 08:27 AM)
I think Stallone did a good enough job that he could have worked any old character into the movie and it would have worked. Since Drago wasn't externally charismatic or verbal, it stretches the limits of my imagination to picture him as one of the commentators - but I think a nod to him would have been interesting. It might have ventured into dangerous territory, possibly coming off like some kind of "all-star reunion" to have too many returning characters, but I surely would have enjoyed it. That said, I was tickled that he included Spider Rico and, of course, Marie. I would love to have seen more of Tony Burton, maybe acting in a one-on-one scene with Stallone, but the movie works well as is.
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jsn_hylnd — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 08:35 AM)
Yeah, it's a pretty flawless movie. Only one little thing I didn't like was when Rock talks about Apollo he only speak of him as an opponent but doesn't talk further like what a good friend he became after his original trainer died. In fact, he rarely mentions Mickey and Apollo I mean those two played a huge hand in Rocky's success. For Drago, I always imagined him in the hospital after all the steroids and such but yeah it would have been nice for a little nod. Oh well, at least we got cool footage of him and Clubber before the fight with Dixon.
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ThresholdDweller — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 08:42 AM)
I think the lack of any mention of Apollo had a lot to do with Carl Weathers' refusal to allow his image to be used without being paid. That might have left a bad taste in Stallone's mouth, which then manifested itself in leaving out any mention of his character at all. It also could have had to do with the fact that Rocky no longer felt he needed guiding figures to "move forward." Note that this is pretty much the only Rocky movie (aside from the original) where Rocky doesn't rely on someone else to motivate him. He has become his own motivation, which is reflected in the inspirational speech he gives to Robert.
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jsn_hylnd — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 09:15 AM)
Absolutely loved it! It's like those movies will never fail (yes I liked 5 as well lol). Stallone got another emmy for Creed. The character of Rocky Balboa lives on and to think they almost offed him in Rocky 5. Stallone is such a tremendous actor I don't get why people hate on his other films like Tango and Cash and Over the top.
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ThresholdDweller — 9 years ago(May 21, 2016 09:37 AM)
I really did love Rocky V until Rocky Balboa came along. Although I don't think it's aged very well, I go back and forth on it a lot. When it was released, Rocky V was my second favorite Rocky movie. I rank Rocky IV as the lowest, but I certainly don't hate it.
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jsn_hylnd — 9 years ago(May 22, 2016 10:27 PM)
Yeah for me Rocky 5 was the low point, but I certainly don't hate it. Just too heartbreaking to see Rocky lose it all after what he's been through ya know? Rocky IV was definitely the cheesiest of the bunch but still entertaining. I'm one of those Rocky fans that enjoy the Rocky sequels but at the same time believe that Rocky 1 would have fared well without them.