Sylvester Stallone, the legendary actor behind the iconic character Rocky Balboa, recently revealed a startling behind-the-scenes story from the making of Rocky IV. In a documentary shared on his YouTube channel, Stallone opened up about a severe injury he sustained while filming a crucial fight scene.
During a climactic battle with Dolph Lundgren, who portrayed the menacing Soviet boxer Ivan Drago, Stallone took a brutal punch to the chest. He compared the impact to being thrown against a steering wheel in a car crash. At first, Stallone didn’t realize the severity of the injury, but the pain gradually worsened.
“He pulverized me,” Stallone recalled in the documentary. "I started feeling discomfort in my chest later that night." What started as mild pain soon escalated to a dangerous situation. His blood pressure spiked to an alarming 260, putting his health in serious jeopardy.
The situation became critical, and Stallone was rushed from Canada to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. He spent four days in the intensive care unit. Reflecting on the experience with a sense of humor, Stallone said, "I’m in the ICU, and the only other people there were nuns." Despite the gravity of his condition, Stallone’s determination to finish the film never faltered. "I was forced to go back and complete the battle," he said, showcasing the same fighting spirit that defines his famous character.
Remarkably, the scene in which Stallone was injured remained in the final cut of the movie. Defending its inclusion, he said, “How could you possibly cut that scene?” This moment of realism, though painful for Stallone, contributed to the film's authenticity and underscored his dedication to the role.
Rocky IV, the fourth installment in the beloved franchise, features Rocky Balboa proving his worth as a world champion boxer. After his close friend Apollo Creed is tragically killed by Drago, Rocky sets out to avenge him in an epic showdown in the Soviet Union.
Stallone’s story adds a new level of respect for the intense physical demands of filming Rocky IV. His resilience and commitment to his craft exemplify the grit and perseverance that have come to define both Stallone and his iconic character.
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