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After plans to film Rocky VII were shelved, fans will never see the tongue-in-cheek story Sylvester Stallone wanted to unfold.
When given the green light to write a script with the backing of studio executives, Stallone called on old foe Dolph Lundgren to play Ivan Drago and face Rocky Balboa again.
In a tongue-in-cheek Instagram post, Stallone revealed how the pair trained together during filming for Rocky IV in the mid-1980s. During filming, Stallone stated that Drago [Lundgren] and Apollo Creed, played by the late Carl Weathers, once got into it for real.
He added that Rocky Balboa and Drago should participate in a veteran’s return match.
“Enjoying training together, a week later, we were beating the hell out of each other!” – said Stallone. “I’ve done a lot of movie fights, but I believe this is the best boxing fight in the history of cinema.
“Dolph Lundgren, aka Drago, is a powerhouse. I remember Drago and Creed got into an angry shoving match for real between rounds. Drago angrily shoved him hard in the chest and heaved him into his corner. Apollo wanted no part of it! He left the ring!”
He added: “I want to rematch! I’ll bring my wheelchair, or you can bring yours! And maybe an oxygen tent if it goes past one round!”
Lundgren returned to the franchise in Creed II, where his son Viktor took on Apollo’s offspring, Adonis. Rocky relived terrible memories from Rocky IV, when Drago fought Creed in an exhibition match, ending Apollo’s life in just two painful rounds.
Balboa headed to Russia to get himself in the best shape possible and exacted revenge on Christmas Day of the same year. Rocky defeated Drago via stoppage after taking every ounce of punishment, legal or not, his nemesis had to offer.
Following nine installments of the Rocky [6]/Creed [3] franchise, Stallone admitted a seventh movie in the original series was being planned. Sadly, it never materialized, as Creed III looks to be the final installment in the saga.
To Stallone’s dismay, Rocky VII was the victim as producers planned a Drago spin-off that is yet to see the light of day.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN and Quora.
