Sylvester Stallone calls for return of macho Steve McQueen roles – ‘They’re out of vogue’ | Films | Entertainment
Back in the 1970s and 80s, incredibly masculine action stars like Sylvester Stallone were dominating blockbuster cinema. Although even in 1976 he claimed: “There doesn’t seem to be enough real men to go around.” Almost half a century later and the 76-year-old longs for the return of the “real male” outsider roles that Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood so effortlessly embodied during this period.
Speaking in a new interview, Stallone was asked what his take on the state of masculinity was today.
The Rocky legend said: “It’s not that there aren’t enough real men. I meant there are not enough roles for men to play that kind of outsider. The Steve McQueens, the Dirty Harrys. They’re out of vogue. I think they will come back. I really do. You just change a few things. I don’t know what I was thinking. The ’70s were a very masculine time, my God. Today’s a masculine time, too; you got some of the toughest athletes in the world now.”
Stallone also told The Hollywood Reporter how he finds it frustrating that so much of action cinema is now dominated by CGI and superheroes.
He said: “Yes, it is. [Great action movies are] like buying a vintage watch. Originally it was $35, and now it’s $35,000. Why? Because it’s handmade. It wasn’t over the top. It wasn’t supernatural. It was something a unique human being could achieve. That’s why I think First Blood is one of the first action films. I relied on body acting to tell the story. The character never talks, but you know exactly what’s going on through the other characters. They’re almost like narrators in his Greek tragedy. The guy never stops moving, and that’s what I call an action film. There’s not one CGI shot. The audience goes: That is pretty special.”
DON’T MISS
Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky ‘definitely dead’ after Creed 3 trailer [CREED III]
Dolph Lundgren speaks after Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky rant at him [DOLPH LUNDGREN]
The Expendables 4 first look: Sylvester Stallone returns with new cast [EXPENDABLES 4]
Stallone may not be appearing as Rocky in Creed III, but he still has plans for more Rambo. Originally a streaming prequel was planned but a passing-of-the-torch sequel is more likely now. Additionally, Expendables 4 is in the can and set for release on September 22, 2023.
