1985 was one of the most critical years in Sylvester Stallone’s career. He started the year coming off the disastrous Rhinestone, which paired him with Dolly Parton. But, he would end the year as arguably the biggest star in the world thanks to starring in the second and third highest-grossing movies of the year. The first of those two movies was the now legendary Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985).
Directed by George P. Cosmatos, this sequel to First Blood would reimagine the titular hero as the modern-day equivalent to a mythological figure like Hercules and a predecessor to the costumed superheroes we see on the big screen today. In this episode of Sylvester Stallone Revisited, we dig into the film’s roots, with it starting as a screenplay by James Cameron that was ripped off a year before it even hit screens via Cannon’s Missing in Action. In the end, 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II would be a smash hit that would elevate Stallone into the stratosphere and stands as one of the most iconic action films of all time.
Sylvester Stallone Revisited is written and co-produced by John Fallon. Chris Bumbray is the narrator and producer, Bill Mazzola is the editor, and Berge Garabedian is the executive producer. Check out previous episodes below!
