Let's start this off by way of announcing that Sylvester Stallone is price masses of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He's filthy, stinking wealthy. And let's also throw in that he invented the character of Rocky, wrote the scripts, directed most of the 5 films. And, oh sure, starred in the name role. In the 1980s and 1990s, he and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been the go-to action heroes. But, extremely, he doesn't personal the franchise. He was a paid worker in all 5 of the films. What he's made off the films may also be rely in the tens of tens of millions, no longer (as chances are you'll expect) in the hundreds of tens of millions. And he's recently been complaining long and loud about it to any one who will listen.
How can that be? Well, when he approached United Artists with the idea and the script for the authentic 1976 movie, they sought after to cast a big star like James Caan in the position. Stallone had a string of forgettable appearing gigs under his belt. He used to be a no one. But he insisted that he play the lead. Eventually, UA agreed. And he got a pittance of a salary and a meager profit-sharing deal sort of package.
His brokers didn't assist. They instructed him, more or less, to take what he could get. And he did.
The franchise has grossed getting on $2 billion worldwide. And his go back on that may, as we've mentioned, be counted in tens of tens of millions.
Here is why dad and multi-millionaire Sylvester Stallone resents how a lot the Rocky franchise has earned.
The Back Story
In the run-up to Rocky glory, Stallone had all of a $one hundred to call his own. He had to sell his Bullmastiff dog Butkus to pay his rent. He was once new to Hollywood and made up our minds to make it large. He conceived the character of Rocky the down and out boxer who makes it big, writing the script himself.
A newcomer to Hollywood, he shopped the script round more than a few studios. There used to be little hobby. United Artist confirmed some enthusiasm, but need to solid a big identify like James Caan in the title function. Stallone insisted he used to be going to play Rocky. It used to be his baby. He drew a line in the sand.
United Artists eventually agreed, granting Stallone a wage of around $20,000 and a 10 % stake in the profits from the film. Once he had his advance in hand, he bought again his canine Butkus. The canine now not handiest appeared in the film however were given credit for it. He has his own IMDb web page. On a manufacturing price range of around $1 million, the movie took in over $220 million international and got a slew of Oscar nominations. The formerly impoverished Stallone took home $2.5 million in general.
Of his surprising success, he has stated: "Literally, I was parking cars 10 months earlier and now here we are [at the Oscars]. I rented a tuxedo and on the way to the Oscars the tie broke and the driver goes, 'You want to borrow mine?' I go 'nah, I guess it doesn't matter,' so I walk into the Oscars looking like Vinny Boom Bots, 'how you doin?' and people were like, 'oh my god, what arrogance, how dare he?" Never thoughts. The film took home the Best Picture Oscar. Stallone was up and running fast. He went from 0 to hero.
What's vital to note, over again, is that United Artists and the manufacturing corporations owned (and nonetheless personal) Rocky. Stallone more than likely took house a pair of million for the second film, $3.5 million for the third film, $12 million for Rocky IV, and $15 million for Rocky V. Let's put this in standpoint. At about the identical time as Rocky V was made, Jack Nicholson banked greater than $100 million for taking part in the Joker in the first Batman movie. Why? He authorized a quite low wage (still in the thousands and thousands) in change for a share of each and every single penny the film took in at the field place of job. It's referred to as box workplace gross.
So What's The Problem?
The persona of Rocky made Stallone a household name. It ended in a occupation in films reminiscent of Rambo and The Expendables. The guy is worth $400 million. So what is the drawback? Well, as Stallone informed Variety:
“I've zero ownership of Rocky." The producers told him "Hey, you were given paid, so what are you complaining about?"
He admits: "I was furious." He was a mere employee in all 5 films. Licensing and franchising rights are held by United Artists and the production companies, not him. If you buy a Rocky action figure or a Rocky poster, Stallone doesn't get a penny. The films may have brought in nearly $2 billion, but Stallone's take home on that is probably less than $50 million.
He blames himself (and his former agents) for rolling over and accepting it. Actors make the big bucks when they do deals for a cut of gross revenue, not net revenue (take less all expenses) and when they form their own production companies that have ownership of film rights. Stallone missed out on both counts.
So, is he grateful for the character Rocky? You bet. Does he wish he had done things differently? Totally.
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