That's right we are going to take a look at Rocky, and what if it was made today! So yes, Sylvester Stallone will still in fact write it but not star in it. Even though history proves that Stallone would not sell his script unless he portrayed the lead role. Very surreal to think about. Rocky, a film about an underdog boxer that had a chance of gaining the title as the heavyweight champion and went the distance was really an inspiring story to moviegoing audiences around the world. I love the film I think it has a great story, incredibly memorable characters, great acting, and it continues to be one of my favorite films. The film was so popular that it spawned five more sequels after it. And speaking of that, with these "What If?" articles, if the film has sequels, I will only analyze the original installment not the sequels, as really there is no point, unless there was an iconic character that was introduced that I cannot ignore. So let us forget for a while that the first original Rocky was not released in 1976 and instead was released today in 2013. The way this is going to go, I will cast the primary characters that I feel are least to most important in the story. With that said let's start with the first heavyweight champion...
Apollo Creed, originally played by Carl Weathers
In the first Rocky, Apollo was an enjoyably cocky fighter who loved to put on a show. In the later films he became more serious and realized how much he was taking his career for granted. He is the kind of guy that enjoys life, but never strays away or ignores the crucial part of it, which is the way most people try to be. As we all know, and a phrase you might read a lot from me in this article as well as future ones, Weathers was iconic as this role. Most people see him now as Apollo Creed instead of who he really is, Carl Weathers. So casting this was a hard decision. But I think I found the right actor to fit into the right shoes of this role. Who can capture Weathers' personality and deliveries while still giving their own fresh spin. So the actor I chose is...
Terrence Howard
I believe that Howard is the actor that can solidly fill in Weathers' shoes solidly. He has the same level of charisma and attitude. In movies like Hustle and Flow and Iron Man, he shows he can be the tough guy with the no nonsense attitude but at the same time, the type who is not afraid to take bold risks. He plays a lot of characters with attitude, and I can easily see him saying many of Apollo's lines. His range can be from subtle to energetic and it is the perfect range to have in order to portray somebody like Apollo Creed. A tough, wide range, and serious actor is perfect for a tough, wide range, and serious character. But time to cast the next character. One who is really funny, but at the same time shows a good amount of dramatic and pathetic sides as well. It's the lovable and drunkable....
Paulie, originally played by Burt Young
Paulie is a funny and pathetic drunk. He constantly has random mood swings if you just sneeze wrong, goes on random rants, and is constantly abusive to his younger sister Adrian. I feel Burt Young perfectly captured the character as it was written or maybe even made the character better from the pages, who knows. So for a character like Paulie, we need someone who can be funny but at the same time sell a lot of dramatic scenes. The kind of actor is who is very unpredictable. I know the guy, even though the choice may not exactly be politically correct though I can see him in the modern day...
Aaron Paul
Yes, I know it looks completely like the opposite of the image Paulie is suppose to be and maybe I still have Breaking Bad on the mind, but seriously I can definitely see Aaron Paul as the modern day Paulie. And yes obviously Paulie is suppose to look like from Italian descent, but hey that's what make-up and hair artist are for. If you think about it Paulie is a lot like Jesse Pinkman. They can be unpredictable, random, ranting, and pathetic while at a lot of times they can be really funny. Paul gives that same type of unpredictable performance that keeps the audience emotionally involved all the way through as Jesse the same was Young does as Paulie. And who say Paulie has to be short and plump? Aaron Paul can pull of being tall and scrawny and that equally looks as pathetic, like a guy who drank too much or did too many drugs, and thinks people are keeping him back from the life he dreamed of when really its himself that holding him back. And hey its almost the same way Jesse Pinkman thinks. On top of that, Paulie was not even an antagonist, so was Jesse for that matter. He was still likable, he was best friends with the hero and did help him. Paul can be the type that will unpredictable and pathetic, but can still walk the line of being good and moral. So now that has been talked about enough let's talk about our dear old wise but very direct trainer...
Mickey, originally played by Burgess Meredith
We all know Mickey don't we? That trainer who is constantly yelling, cranky, throwing insult after insult, and for most of the time always seems to be in a very bad mood. But it is obvious that Mickey has been through a lot of experience, for all the time knows what he is talking about and actually gives some really wise advice. Burgess Meredith got that image down and throughout the film we definitely saw him as Mickey. So we need an actor who can pull off that same image as well believe that he can be a tough wise mentor. My choice is...
Jon Voight
Jon Voight is the only experienced and veteran actor I know who can pull of a character like this. When he plays his characters know, they are roles that really demand dignity and respect from the audience. He can play the type of character who has been through a lot in the past, seen a lot in the past, and experienced a lot in the past. He is able to sell moments whether he'd be tough and direct or sentimental, that is a major element needed in order for an actor to play Mickey. He already has the presence of being wise, dignified, and a veteran professional and has the talent to be tough without even trying. Now that we covered our fearless mentor, let us move to the emotional drive and romantic lead..
Adrian, originally played by Talia Shire
The younger sister of Paulie and the love interest to our lead, Rocky Balboa. Adrian is the emotional center. The one who Rocky is forced to reveal his true sentimental nature whenever he is around her. He is more open and his true inner being is expressed whenever Adrian is on screen. That is how much Rocky loves her. Sure she is a quiet, shy, and heavily introverted. but truly as Rocky would would put it himself she would "Go around breaking men's hearts the way she looks". She is passionate, sweet, and caring. She does not fail to express her love for Rocky when he expresses it. She is always there for her man when he needs love and tenderness. The modern day actress to play this character has to have a sweet and innocent appearance. One who looks shy and timid, but when the time arrives knows truly how to express their emotions. So the actress I choose to be the modern day Adrian is...
Ginnifer Goodwin
Again, maybe its because I have another TV show on the mind, Once Upon A Time. But like the casting of her fictional brother, watching that show and her character, Snow White/Mary Margaret really had me convinced that she can play a modern day Adrian. She's sweet, innocent enough, during the first season of the show she proved that she can effectively play a klutzy and awkward yet innocent and sweet character, and as proven later on she can be straight, direct, and be a no nonsense gal when she wants to be. And that's who Adrian is. Later on she does get more direct and straight and feels more comfortable expressing her emotions. And she believably does it whatever the situation or incident. Just looking at her I can believe that she would make a pretty good 2013 Adrian. I think this is an actress who gets less credit than she deserves. Sure she is the lead star of her TV show but I do not think her talent is recognized enough. She plays a revolutionized, lovable, strong willed, and three dimensional character that is grown to be so likable because of her performance. I believe she can pull almost the same amount of charm as Talia Shire did. Now the one we had all been waiting for. It is time to cast the one and only Italian Stallion himself...
Rocky Balboa, originally played by Sylvester Stallone
It is no doubt that Stallone MADE this character. LITERALLY! Not only by the writing but by the performance itself. No matter how many movies the franchise has, whether they are the good or mediocre ones, Stallone was always seen as Rocky and was always dedicated to playing this character. He also more than literally made the character his own. Everyone in the entire world sees Stallone as Rocky, no other actor can match or outmatch this iconic performance. So you can see why I save this for last. It is the toughest one to cast as everybody if not almost everybody would disagree with my casting choice. Heck, I do not even agree with my own casting choice. No one can top Stallone and no one will ever will. He both wrote and performed for the character, no one knows anything about Rocky than Sylvester Stallone himself. But to the point of this article, I still found an actor that probably can come pretty close to what Stallone has done. This actor has to be tough, strong, charismatic, very likable, fun to watch, and has to have that star quality in order to play such an iconic cinematic role. And the actor who I have chosen to play the modern day Rocky Balboa is...
JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT
This guy has gained quite the popularity nowadays, hasn't he? But to be truly honest this was the guy in my mind that can come close to brining the memorable performance that Stallone gave. He has the right wit, the right charisma, and the right charm. Even if he stars in a film that does not really have anything going for itself, Gordon-Levitt usually is the one that carries the most weight and plays the character that is the most likable. There is just this charisma that he has that can make the audience invest in him immediately. It's just the amount needed to play character that has to be iconic as Rocky. I do not exactly see him delivering his lines the same way Stallone did, but I can see him doing something that is welcoming to this time. Plus I think there is just so much he can work with. And this actor is just the guy who does that, give him a good amount of material and depth and he can turn in one heck of a performance. Not any actor can come close to what Sylvester Stallone pulled off, only Joseph Gordon-Levitt I believe can come as close because he is an actor that everybody seems to enjoy and he's got the right image. Which is very needed to play Rocky Balboa.
Well that's it for this "What If". Again if you disagree with these choices, please let me know. Share your opinion. Who do you think are the right choices in your eyes. Remember try not to be too harsh. I am only doing this fun not to offend dedicated fans to the film or upset anybody else's opinions. Please, share your thoughts.
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