Stallone’s next action movie could break his worst streak for the first time in 46 years

Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming thriller Armor May finally break a bad cinematic habit that the actor has stuck to for 46 years. After the shock success of Rocky In 1976, Stallone was touted as the successor to actors like Marlon Brando. Unfortunately, many of his non-Rocky Follow-ups are dads, and the success of First blood Saw the star becoming typecast in the action genre. Decades later, Sylvester Stallone’s action movies are a subgenre unto themselves, with recent examples including 2023’s The Expendables 4.

It doesn’t seem like the screen legend will be leaving the genre in the near future. Some upcoming projects include the thriller Alarm Together Richer Star Willa Fitzgerald and Armor. The trailer for Armor Sees Stallone leading a gang of thieves robbing an armored truck, only to find himself in a tense standoff with the guards trapped inside. The movie looks like a tight little thriller – even if the premise sounds basically identical to the underrated 2009 thriller Armored.

Armor may break Sylvester Stallone’s no death rule after 46 years

Stallone hasn’t died on screen since 1978

Armor s Trailer makes it appear that Stallone is playing a full-on villain and one who fully intends to kill the guards inside the truck (played by Jason Patric and Josh Wiggins) when he breaks into it. The film is a rare antagonist role for the star, and if his character Rook is given some heroic redemption, Armor May contain Stallone’s first death scene since 1978’s fist The latter cast Stallone as a Jimmy Hoffa-style figure who is gunned down in the movie’s closing moments.

Stallone disagreed with this choice, however, and none of his characters have died in the decades since. Of course, that tradition could be maintained with Armor too. There are many potential outcomes for Stallone’s slide, including getting arrested or having a change of heart and saving the day. yet, It would be cool if Armor Subverted Stallone’s screen image in a major way, letting him play a truly irredeemable character Who gets his just deserts in the finale.

Netflix’s Sly explained his rule about sad endings

Sylvester Stallone doesn’t want to screw up his audience

Before the release of The Expendables 4There were reports Stallone’s team leader Barney would die. This was to make way for co-star Jason Statham as the new leader of the team, but while Expendables 4 Barney “kills” during the first act, the ending reveals that he is facing his tragic death. This felt like a major cop-out, although given the overall shoddy quality of the fourth installment, it was far from the biggest issue. 2023 also saw the arrival of craftyA Netflix documentary where Stallone talked through the ups and downs of his life and career.

in craftyStollone states his belief that audiences hate downer endings where the hero is killed or lose. He thinks so fist The decision of director Norman Idvison to end on such a dark note hurt the film, and sent the message that evil will always triumph. It is notable that, as scripted and shot, First blood Ended with John Rambo being shot dead by his mentor Trautman (via EW). Stallone always hated the ending and railed against it, feeling it signaled to Vietnam vets that there was no hope for them.

Thankfully, test audiences also despised the finale, so a new ending where Rambo survives was used instead. It is very interesting to analyze the star’s entire career with his “no death” mantra in mind. Even his remake of the grim Michael Caine thriller Get Carter Twisted the dark finale of the original film to have the title character not only survive, but start a hopeful new chapter in his life.

Stallone’s no death rule has spoiled some of his movies

Hopefully Stollone’s worst screen habits won’t affect Armor either

The mentioned Get Carter Remake feels like it completely misunderstands the point of the 1971 film, right down to Carter walking away from his revenge quest intact. Most of Stallone’s filmography has been crowd-pleasing blockbusters, so it wouldn’t make sense to end up with something like Cobra Or Cliffhanger with the protagonist dying. yet, Some movies almost demand uncomfortable results, but Stallone has proven unwilling to hide from his death rule Even if history calls for it.

crafty Includes a perfect example where, as filmed, Rambo died of his injuries in the final scene of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2019 Last blood. The seriously wounded soldier is seen rocking in his chair – which then stops moving. The star later had a change of heart, and used CGI to keep the chair moving. Consider the sequel is intended to end the Rambo movie franchise, the plot feels like it’s building to the inevitable death of the ex-soldier – instead, a mid-credits scene sees him mount a horse and ride off to parts unknown.

Another example is Rocky VWhich was written with the death of the title boxer in mind. Given the new heights, the series would later reach 2006’s Rocky Balboa And these Creed Kino, it’s finally a good thing the fifth film did not End with Rocky dying After his fight with Tommy Gunn, however, the happy ending was not acceptable rocky v Final cut too.

Armor is Stallone’s first villain role in 21 years

Stallone hasn’t played a villain since The Toymaker

Stallone was often candid about his career struggles, from the late 1990s until 2006. Rocky BalboaHe was essentially thrown out of Hollywood. This was due to several bombs, including Judge Dredd And driven. It was during this time that he accepted the role of the villain Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over, Which cast him as Agent Sebastian (AKA The Toymaker), the designer of a dangerous virtual reality game. He hasn’t played a live-action antagonist since, and Armor Mark Stallone’s late return to bad guy roles.

Of course, time will tell if Rook is truly a villain. It’s a shame Stollone hasn’t tried more villain parts since he can be really menacing when a role calls for it. Rambo himself can be a bloodthirsty monster during combat and actually acts as a slasher villain during the final battle of Last blood. Get Carter Would have been an immensely better film if his character maintained the vicious edge of the original Caine version as well.

Armor Has a solid B-movie premise, but with Sylvester Stallone, it also features some genuine star power. Unlike most low-budget action fare, it actually appears Stollone will have a major featured role, instead of being an extended cameo designed to attract his fans. The film would carve out a small but unique footnote in the actor’s filmography if Rook bites the bullet during the finale, but As magnificent as Stallone’s “no death” rule has been for nearly half a century, there’s no guarantee Armor Will be the one to break it.

Source: EW