Stallone was a starving writer/actor when he wrote "Rocky". The studio offered him $125K for the script but told him there was no way would he star in it. He walked out. At the time, this guy had NOTHING.
They called him back a couple of weeks later and offered him $250k NOT to star in his own movie. He turned them down, again.
He told them he was an actor. They told him he was a writer and that Ryan O'Neill was an actor, and that Ryan O'Neill would be Rocky. Take it or leave it.
They came back and said we'll give you $325K to stay out of the way and let O'Neill play Rocky. Sly said "not without me as the star."
So they compromised and gave Stallone $35K for the script and allowed him play the title role. He accepted the risk. Because he believed and he was balls out. He believed and he was fearless.
The film cost $1MM and grossed $255MM worldwide. And I don't have to tell you that it was THE defining moment for this particular human.
The film cost $1MM and grossed $255MM worldwide. And I don't have to tell you that it was THE defining moment for this particular human.
That's living the dream. And then what did he do with that money? He bought back his dog he had sold in desperation. Except, the guy he sold it to wouldn't sell the dog back to him. Not for $100. Not for $1,000. Not for $10,000.
They compromised: $15,000 and the guy would get a part in the film. Stallone made 35 grand on the film and paid 15 of it back to get HIS DOG.
And the dog, oh he got in the film too.
