‘Rocky IV’ saw the iconic boxing champion Rocky Balboa go up against Soviet boxer Ivan Drago, played by Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren respectively. The movie got a mixed reception when it premiered in 1985, but audiences everywhere loved it, making it a financial blockbuster.
Besides starring in the film, Stallone also wrote and directed the movie, announcing in August 2020 that he was editing together a “director’s cut” of the film.
Stallone gave an update in April on the progress of the new version with an Instagram post where he announced the cut will be retitled ‘Rocky Vs. Drago’ and it will accompanied by a documentary about the making of the film.
“Now for some good news,” Stallone said. “We shot a full length behind the scenes documentary. While re editing ROCKY 4, This is a little taste. When the film comes out it will be called. ROCKY VS DRAGO – The ultimate directors cut. Enjoy and keep punching.”
In the clip, Stallone is shown walking into office to continue editing where he says, “In my life as you walk forward, the ground behind you disintegrates, so there is no retreat.”
“When you go back and you recut your film, I guarantee you, you will approach it with sensitivity and wisdom and confidence,” he continues. “Why didn’t I see that before?”
“We are entitled to follow our dreams and stick to our beliefs because in the end, that’s all you have. And if you keep believing in that, eventually your dreams will come true,” Stallone added. The teaser ends with the caption, “KEEP PUNCHING the present meets the past.”
It has also been confirmed that Paulie, the brother-in-law of Balboa, will not be toying with a robot he receives for Christmas. In fact, it will not appear at all, according to IGN. “…the robot is going to the junkyard forever,” Stallone told a fan.
‘Rocky IV’ also stars Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Brigitte Nielson, and Dolph Lundgren. It serves as a backstory for the spin-off ‘Creed’ franchise starring Michael B. Jordan as Adonis, the son of Rocky’s rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed. Lundgren stars in the sequel ‘Creed II’ where his son Viktor, played by Florian Munteanu, has a showdown with Adonis.