The upcoming documentary Sly will be a retrospective following the career of Sylvester Stallone. Stallone is a three-time Oscar nominee whose career has been built on iconic franchises from Rocky all the way to modern superhero blockbusters like The Suicide Squad and the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. He is also the first movie star in history to have a number-one hit in six consecutive decades.
The documentary was directed by Thom Zimny, whose career largely consists of music videos and concert docs for Bruce Springsteen and other rock acts. This new documentary will apply the director’s eye to a slightly different type of pop culture legend, mirroring how Stallone’s own underdog story is reflected in the characters he played onscreen.
There is Much More to Sylvester Stallone Than Meets the Eye
Stallone’s career is filled to the brim with iconic characters. In addition to being the title character in the Rocky and Rambo franchises, he has also played memorable roles in Tango & Cash, Demolition Man, Judge Dredd, Spy Kids 3, and more. However, in addition to his onscreen appearances, he has always been a driving force in pushing his career forward behind the camera.
His career began in earnest when he wrote the screenplay for his breakout hit Rocky. He earned an Oscar nomination for the screenplay along with his nomination for Best Actor. Though the Academy would never recognize his writing again, he has written or co-written many more screenplays in the following years including Staying Alive, Cobra, Over the Top, and Cliffhanger. In fact, the majority of his number-one hits were penned by Stallone himself.
Stallone’s career resurgences over the years have largely been driven by the man himself. This includes him creating his own action renaissance by starring in, writing, and directing the 2010 ensemble The Expendables, which launched a franchise that is continuing with the upcoming Expendables 4, due in theaters on September 22. If Sly can tell the story of Stallone’s rise to fame in a manner as interesting as the rise itself, it is sure to be a knockout.