Editing Sylvester Stallone (section)

== Film and stage career ==
=== 1968–1976: early roles to breakthrough ===
[[File:Rocky-Ad-Santa-Ana-Orange-County-Register-Apr,01-1977-p-102 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Stallone as [[Rocky Balboa]] with [[Adrian Pennino|Adrian]] ([[Talia Shire]]) in ''[[Rocky]]'' (1976)|upright]]
Until 1969, he appeared on the stage under the name Mike Stallone; in 1970, he started using the stage name Sylvester E. Stallone. While attending the University of Miami, Stallone had a role in the drama ''That Nice Boy'' (aka ''The Square Root''), filmed in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/184708715/|title=MOVIE IN MIAMI: Michael Stallone, 21-year-old Mount Airy actor, is getting his first film break in location in Florida with MGM's "That Nice Boy."|date=May 23, 1968|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216232655/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/184708715/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://stallonezone.com/imgs/news/1970s/score_inside.jpg|title=stallone note from theater programme|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114053531/https://stallonezone.com/imgs/news/1970s/score_inside.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Archive-Broadcaster-Canada/60s/68/BCC-1968-05-23.pdf|title=Vidicam Film System introduces high speed on 35mm (page 18)|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819075925/https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/Archive-Broadcaster-Canada/60s/68/BCC-1968-05-23.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Moreover, he and [[John Herzfeld]] worked together in 1969 on a low-budget self-produced film called "Horses".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stallonezone.com/wordpress/?p=14126|title="Horses" – The College Film Project of Sly Stallone & John Herzfeld!|date=April 24, 2023|access-date=April 24, 2023|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424121603/https://stallonezone.com/wordpress/?p=14126|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stallone had his first starring role in the [[softcore pornography]] feature film ''[[The Party at Kitty and Stud's]]'' (1970). He was paid {{US$|200}} for two days' work.<ref name="TotalFilm-Stallone">
{{cite news
 | date = August 2010
 | title = Total Film
 | location = United Kingdom
 | page = 111
}} Stallone: "I was broke and basically sleeping in the Port Authority bus station for three weeks straight. I read in a trade paper about this film [''The Party at Kitty and Studs'', 1970] that was paying {{US$|100}} a day – for a {{US$|100}} a day I would wreak havoc. Instead of doing something desperate, I worked for two days for {{US$|200}} and got myself out of the bus station."</ref> Stallone later explained that he had done the film out of desperation after being evicted from his apartment and finding himself homeless for several days. He has also said that he slept three weeks in the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]] in New York City prior to seeing a casting notice for the film. In the actor's words, "it was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end – the very end – of my rope".<ref>[http://www.playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/sylvester-stallone/sylvester-stallone-04.html Sylvester Stallone interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606223229/http://www.playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/sylvester-stallone/sylvester-stallone-04.html |date=June 6, 2011 }}, ''[[Playboy (magazine)|Playboy]]'', September 1978.</ref> The film was released several years later as ''Italian Stallion'', in order to cash in on Stallone's newfound fame (the new title was taken from Stallone's nickname since ''Rocky''). Stallone also starred in the erotic [[off-Broadway]] stage play ''Score'' which ran for 23 performances at the Martinique Theatre from October 28 to November 15, 1971, and was later made into the 1974 film ''[[Score (1974 film)|Score]]'' by [[Radley Metzger]].<ref name="FM-Summer1997">{{citation|last=Gallagher|first=Steve|title=The Libertine|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/summer1997/metzger.php|date=Summer 1997|work=[[Filmmaker (magazine)|Filmmaker Magazine]]|access-date=May 24, 2015|archive-date=September 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922002127/http://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/summer1997/metzger.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

After moving to New York City, Stallone shared an apartment with his girlfriend, Sasha Czack, an aspiring actress who supported them by working as a waitress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1128921/sylvester-stallones-life-timeline/|title=Sylvester Stallone's taken more punches in life than he has on the big screen|first=Lauren|last=Kelly|website=She Knows|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012142330/https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1128921/sylvester-stallones-life-timeline/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stallone took odd jobs around this time, including being a cleaner at a zoo, and a theater usher; he was fired from the latter for scalping tickets. He furthered his writing skills by frequenting a local library, and became interested in the works of [[Edgar Allan Poe]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/27729/truth-sylvester-stallone/|title=The truth about Sylvester Stallone|first=Brian|last=Boone|date=October 13, 2016|website=[[Looper.com]]|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017015946/https://www.looper.com/27729/truth-sylvester-stallone/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1972, Stallone was on the verge of giving up on having an acting career; in what he later described as a low point, he tried and failed to get a job as an extra in ''[[The Godfather]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/sylvester-stallone-was-rejected-as-extra-in-the-godfather/|title=Sylvester Stallone was rejected as extra in 'The Godfather'|newspaper=The Indiana Express|date=February 27, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228112725/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/sylvester-stallone-was-rejected-as-extra-in-the-godfather/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectcasting.com/news/sylvester-stallone-the-godfather/|title=Stallone: I Was Turned Down for an Extra Role in 'The Godfather'|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227024621/https://www.projectcasting.com/news/sylvester-stallone-the-godfather/|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, he was relegated to a background role in another Hollywood hit, ''[[What's Up, Doc? (1972 film)|What's Up, Doc?]]'', starring [[Barbra Streisand]]. Stallone is hardly visible in his two appearances.

Stallone happened to be acting in a play that a friend invited him to partake in, and an agent in attendance thought that Stallone fit the role of Stanley, a main character in ''[[The Lords of Flatbush]]'', which had a start-stop schedule from 1972 to 1974 over budget issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/8347-REVIEW-THE-LORDS-OF-FLATBUSH-STARRING-SYLVESTER-STALLONE,-PERRY-KING,-and-HENRY-WINKLER-From-Sony-Pictures-Choice-Collection.html|title=REVIEW: "THE LORDS OF FLATBUSH" STARRING SYLVESTER STALLONE, PERRY KING, and HENRY WINKLER From Sony Pictures Choice Collection – Cinema Retro|website=cinemaretro.com|access-date=March 20, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807173822/https://cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/8347-REVIEW-THE-LORDS-OF-FLATBUSH-STARRING-SYLVESTER-STALLONE,-PERRY-KING,-and-HENRY-WINKLER-From-Sony-Pictures-Choice-Collection.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Stallone, around mid-1973, achieved his first proper starring role, in the independent film ''[[No Place to Hide (1970 film)|No Place to Hide]]'', playing a man who is associated with a New York–based urban [[terrorist]] movement, with a jewelry-seller as his love interest. The film was re-cut and retitled ''Rebel'' years later, this second version featuring Stallone as its star. In 1990, this film was re-edited with [[outtake]]s from the original film and newly shot matching footage, then [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|redubbed]] – in the style of [[Woody Allen]]'s ''[[What's Up, Tiger Lily?]]'' – into a parody of itself titled ''A Man Called... Rainbo''.

Stallone's other first few film roles were minor, and included brief uncredited appearances in ''[[M*A*S*H (film)|M*A*S*H]]'' (1970), as a soldier sitting at a table; ''[[Pigeons (film)|Pigeons]]'' (1970), as a party guest; [[Woody Allen]]'s ''[[Bananas (film)|Bananas]]'' (1971), as a subway thug; in the psychological thriller ''[[Klute]]'' (1971), as an extra dancing in a club; and in the [[Jack Lemmon]] film ''[[The Prisoner of Second Avenue]]'' (1975), as a youth. In the latter film, Jack Lemmon's character chases, tackles, and mugs Stallone, thinking that Stallone's character is a pickpocket. He had his second starring role in 1974, in ''The Lords of Flatbush''.<ref name=tca/> In 1975, he played supporting roles in ''[[Farewell, My Lovely (1975 film)|Farewell, My Lovely]]''; ''[[Capone (1975 film)|Capone]]''; and ''[[Death Race 2000]]''. He made guest appearances on the TV series ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' and ''[[Kojak]]''. He is also supposedly in ''[[Mandingo (film)|Mandingo]]''. It is often said that his scene was deleted.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-iFLCgAAQBAJ&q=stallone+mandingo+deleted&pg=PA145|title=Thomas Hauser on Boxing: Another Year Inside the Sweet Science|first=Thomas|last=Hauser|date=December 10, 2014|publisher=University of Arkansas Press|location=Fayetteville, Arkansas|isbn=9781557286673|via=Google Books}}</ref>

Stallone gained worldwide fame with his starring role in the smash hit ''[[Rocky]]'' (1976), a sports drama about a struggling boxer, [[Rocky Balboa]], taking on heavyweight champion [[Apollo Creed]].<ref name=tca/> On March 24, 1975, Stallone saw the [[Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner]] fight. That night Stallone went home, and after three days he had completed the first draft of ''Rocky''.<ref>{{YouTube|S5bslRI4gFk|The Rocky Story by Sly Stallone}}</ref> Stallone subsequently denied that Wepner provided any inspiration for the script; however, Wepner filed a lawsuit which was eventually settled with Stallone for an undisclosed amount.<ref name="ESPN Wepner Recognized">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/page/IamChuckWepner/chuck-wepner-recognized-rocky-fame |title='Real Rocky' Wepner finally getting due |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=October 25, 2011 |access-date=November 20, 2012 |archive-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027212214/http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/page/IamChuckWepner/chuck-wepner-recognized-rocky-fame |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Real Rocky">{{cite video | people=Feuerzeig, Jeff (Director) | date=October 25, 2011 | title=The Real Rocky | medium=Motion picture | publisher=ESPN Films}}</ref> Other possible inspirations for the film may have included [[Rocky Graziano]]'s autobiography ''Somebody Up There Likes Me'', and [[Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956 film)|the film of the same name]]. Stallone attempted to sell the script to multiple studios, with the intention of playing the lead role himself. Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff became interested and offered Stallone {{US$|350,000}} for the rights, but they had their own casting ideas for the lead role, including [[Robert Redford]] and [[Burt Reynolds]]. Stallone refused to sell unless he played the lead character – and, eventually, after a substantial budget cut to compromise, it was agreed he could be the star.<ref>{{cite book| last = Nelson| first= Murray R.| title = American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas [4 Volumes]: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas | date= May 23, 2013 | page= 1095}}</ref> Upon its release, critic [[Roger Ebert]] stated that Stallone could become the next [[Marlon Brando]].

In 1977, at the [[49th Academy Awards]], ''Rocky'' was nominated for ten [[Academy Award|Oscars]], including [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] and [[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] nominations for Stallone. The film went on to win the Academy Awards for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Directing]], and [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]. ''Rocky'' has since been inducted into the [[National Film Registry]] and had its props placed in the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian Museum]]. Stallone's use of the front entrance to the [[Philadelphia Museum of Art]] in the ''Rocky'' series led the area to be nicknamed the [[Rocky Steps]], and the city has a statue of the Rocky character placed permanently near the museum. The character was also voted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]].

=== 1978–1999: subsequent success ===
[[File:Sylvester Stallone - 1977.jpg|thumb|upright|Stallone at the [[Ken Norton#Norton vs. Young|Ken Norton vs. Duane Bobick boxing match]] in 1977]]
Stallone made his directorial debut and starred in the 1978 film ''[[Paradise Alley]]'', a family drama in which he played one of three brothers who get involved in [[professional wrestling]]. That same year, he starred in [[Norman Jewison]]'s ''[[F.I.S.T. (film)|F.I.S.T.]]'', a social drama in which he plays a warehouse worker, very loosely modeled on [[James Hoffa]], who becomes involved in labor union leadership. In 1979, he wrote, directed (replacing [[John G. Avildsen]]), and starred in ''[[Rocky II]]''. The sequel became a major success,<ref name=tca/> grossing {{US$|200}}&nbsp;million.

In 1981, he starred alongside [[Michael Caine]] and soccer star [[Pelé]] in ''[[Escape to Victory]]'', a sports drama in which he plays a [[prisoner of war]] involved in a [[Nazi]] propaganda soccer game. That same year, he starred in the thriller ''[[Nighthawks (1981 film)|Nighthawks]]'', in which he plays a New York city cop who plays a cat-and-mouse game with a foreign terrorist, played by [[Rutger Hauer]].

In 1982, Stallone starred as [[Vietnam-American War|Vietnam]] veteran [[John Rambo]], a former [[United States Army Special Forces|Green Beret]], in the action film ''[[First Blood]]'',<ref name="tca" /> an adaptation of the [[First Blood (novel)|eponymous novel]] by [[David Morrell|David Morell]], though the script was significantly altered by Stallone during the film's production,<ref>{{Cite web |title='First Blood' Original Ending: Dead Rambo and Kirk Douglas |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/07/first-blood-rambo-dead-ending-kirk-douglas/ |access-date=August 6, 2021 |website=EW.com |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006002817/https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/07/first-blood-rambo-dead-ending-kirk-douglas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was both a critical and box-office success. Critics praised Stallone's performance, saying he made Rambo seem human, as opposed to the way he is portrayed in the book of the same name. It launched the [[Rambo (franchise)|Rambo franchise]]. That year ''[[Rocky III]]'' was released in which Stallone wrote, directed, and starred. The second sequel became a box-office success. In preparation for these roles, Stallone embarked upon a vigorous training regimen, which often meant six days a week in the gym and further sit-ups in the evenings. Stallone claims to have reduced his [[body fat percentage]] to his all-time low of 2.8% for ''Rocky III''.<ref>Berg, Michael. ''Muscle & Fitness'', Sept. 2004.</ref>

In 1983, he directed ''[[Staying Alive (1983 film)|Staying Alive]]'', the sequel to ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'', starring [[John Travolta]]. This was the only film Stallone directed that he did not star in. ''Staying Alive'' was universally panned by film critics.<ref>{{cite web|title=Staying Alive (1983)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/staying_alive|access-date=October 24, 2019|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=October 8, 2002|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|location=San Francisco, California|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213200712/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/staying_alive|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being a critical failure, ''Staying Alive'' was a commercial success. The film opened with the [[List of highest-grossing musicals#Timeline of highest-grossing openings|biggest weekend for a musical film ever]] (at the time) with a gross of $12,146,143 from 1,660 screens.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Murphy|first=Arthur D.|date=October 31, 1989|title=Leading North American Film Boxoffice Weekends in History|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Daily Variety]]|page=53}}</ref><ref>{{Mojo title|id=stayingalive|title=Staying Alive}}</ref> Overall, the film grossed nearly $65 million in the US box office against its $22 million budget. Worldwide it grossed $127 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=6839|title=Staying Alive (1983) - JPBox-Office|website=jpbox-office.com|access-date=April 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421153142/http://jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=6839|url-status=live}}</ref> Though the US box-office intake was significantly less than the $139.5 million<ref>{{cite web|title=Staying Alive|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saturday-Night-Fever|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=October 10, 2020|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085455/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saturday-Night-Fever|url-status=live}}</ref> earned by ''Saturday Night Fever'', the film nevertheless ranked in the top ten most financially successful films of 1983.

During the 1980s, Stallone was considered one of the biggest action film stars in the world,<ref name="pearson20171009">{{Cite web|last=Pearson|first=Ben|date=October 19, 2017|title=Schwarzenegger Orchestrated a Legendary Hollywood Troll|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-beyond-fest/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=[[/Film]]|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727050548/https://www.slashfilm.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-beyond-fest/|url-status=live}}</ref> along with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. The [[Schwarzenegger-Stallone rivalry]] continued for years;<ref name="raymond20131018">{{Cite web |last=Raymond |first=Adam K. |date=October 18, 2013 |title=Schwarzenegger vs. Stallone: A Timeline |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/stallone-schwarzenegger-relationship-timeline.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Vulture|archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818143443/https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/stallone-schwarzenegger-relationship-timeline.html |url-status=live }}</ref> they attacked each other in the press, and tried to surpass the other with more on-screen killings and larger weapons.{{r|pearson20171009}}

Stallone occasionally attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, roles in different genres. In 1984, he co-wrote and starred alongside [[Dolly Parton]] in the comedy film ''[[Rhinestone (film)|Rhinestone]]'', where he played a wannabe country music singer. For the [[Rhinestone (film soundtrack)|''Rhinestone'' soundtrack]], he performed a song. Stallone turned down the lead male role in ''[[Romancing the Stone]]'' in order to make ''Rhinestone'' instead, a decision he later regretted.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=January 14, 2014|title=Sylvester Stallone: in his own words|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/evening-sylvester-stallone-quotes/|magazine=Empire|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501010256/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/evening-sylvester-stallone-quotes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1985, Stallone continued his success with the ''Rocky'' and ''Rambo'' franchises with ''[[Rocky IV]]'' and ''[[Rambo: First Blood Part II]].'' Stallone has portrayed these two characters in a total of 13 films. Stallone met former [[Mr. Olympia]] [[Franco Columbu]] to develop his character's appearance for the film ''Rocky IV'', just as if he were preparing for the Mr. Olympia competition. That meant two workouts a day, six days a week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sylvesterstallone.com/health-fitness/four/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905145716/http://sylvesterstallone.com/health-fitness/four/|url-status=dead|title=Sylvester Stallone – Four<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref> Both films were major financial successes.
[[file:John Rambo.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Stallone as [[John Rambo]] in ''[[Rambo III]]'' (1988)]]
It was around 1985 that Stallone was signed to a remake of the 1939 [[James Cagney]] classic ''[[Angels with Dirty Faces]]''. The film would form part of his multi-picture deal with Cannon Films and was to co-star [[Christopher Reeve]] and be directed by [[Menahem Golan]]. The re-making of such a beloved classic was met with disapproval by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' and horror by top critic [[Roger Ebert]]. Cannon opted to make the action film ''[[Cobra (1986 film)|Cobra]]'' which was released in 1986 and became a box-office success. It led to the setting up of his production company White Eagle Enterprises.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 23, 1986|title=NONEXCLUSIVE CONTRACT : STALLONE, UA INK MULTIPICTURE DEAL|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-23-ca-23596-story.html|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021005027/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-23-ca-23596-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1987, he starred in the family drama ''[[Over the Top (1987 film)|Over the Top]]'' as a struggling trucker who tries to make amends with his estranged son and enters an [[arm wrestling]] competition. This was poorly received by critics and was a box-office failure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bailey|first=Jason|date=July 8, 2013|title=So Bad It's Good: Sylvester Stallone, Arm Wrestling, and '80s Nostalgia in 'Over the Top'|url=https://www.flavorwire.com/402226/so-bad-its-good-sylvester-stallone-arm-wrestling-and-80s-nostalgia-in-over-the-top|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=Flavorwire|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720102726/https://www.flavorwire.com/402226/so-bad-its-good-sylvester-stallone-arm-wrestling-and-80s-nostalgia-in-over-the-top|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, he co-starred alongside [[Kurt Russell]] in the [[buddy cop]] action film ''[[Tango & Cash]]'', which did solid business domestically and overseas, grossing {{US$|57}}&nbsp;million in foreign markets and over {{US$|120}}&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=5531|title=Tango & Cash (1989) - JPBox-Office|website=jpbox-office.com|access-date=April 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421153142/http://jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=5531|url-status=live}}</ref> Stallone became a boxing promoter in the 1980s. His boxing promoting company, Tiger Eye Productions, signed world champion boxers [[Sean O'Grady (boxer)|Sean O'Grady]] and [[Aaron Pryor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sylvester Stallone|url=http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Sylvester_Stallone|website=boxrec.com|access-date=September 8, 2014|archive-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418131744/http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Sylvester_Stallone|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stallone began the 1990s starring in the fifth installment of the ''Rocky'' franchise, ''[[Rocky V]]''. This film brought back the first film's director, John G. Avildsen, and was intended to be the final installment in the series. It was considered a [[box office bomb|box-office disappointment]] and received negative reviews.<ref>{{cite news|title='Home' KOs 'Rocky V' at Box Office : Movies: The comedy grabs {{US$|17}}&nbsp;million in receipts to take the No. 1 spot over Stallone's much-hyped sequel.|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1990-11-20/entertainment/ca-5106_1_weekend-box|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 20, 1990|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051714/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-11-20/entertainment/ca-5106_1_weekend-box|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stallone next appeared in [[John Landis]]' period comedy ''[[Oscar (1991 film)|Oscar]]'' which was both a critical and box-office failure.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58972|access-date=October 11, 2020|website=catalog.afi.com|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203170003/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58972|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1992, he appeared in [[Roger Spottiswoode]]'s action comedy ''[[Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59402-STOP--OR-MY-MOM-WILL-SHOOT?cxt=filmography|access-date=October 11, 2020|website=catalog.afi.com|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805123657/http://catalog.afi.com/Film/59402-STOP--OR-MY-MOM-WILL-SHOOT?cxt=filmography|url-status=live}}</ref> which was also both a critical and box-office disaster. Stallone signed onto the film based on rumors that Schwarzenegger was interested in the lead. Schwarzenegger said that, knowing the script's quality was poor, he publicly faked interest in starring for producers to lure Stallone.{{r|pearson20171009}}

In 1993, he made a comeback with [[Renny Harlin]]'s action thriller ''[[Cliffhanger (film)|Cliffhanger]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59493-CLIFFHANGER?cxt=filmography|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=catalog.afi.com|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027201213/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59493-CLIFFHANGER?cxt=filmography|url-status=live}}</ref> which was a success in the US, grossing {{US$|84}}&nbsp;million, and worldwide, grossing {{US$|171}}&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cliffhanger|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl608863745/|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606232532/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl608863745/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, he starred in the [[futuristic]] action film ''[[Demolition Man (film)|Demolition Man]]'' directed by [[Marco Brambilla]], co-starring [[Wesley Snipes]] and [[Sandra Bullock]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/67651-DEMOLITION-MAN?cxt=filmography|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=catalog.afi.com|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805123229/http://catalog.afi.com/Film/67651-DEMOLITION-MAN?cxt=filmography|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]] the film has an approval rating of 60% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 5.43/10. The site's consensus reads: "A better-than-average sci-fi shoot-em-up with a satirical undercurrent, ''Demolition Man'' is bolstered by strong performances by Stallone, Snipes, and Bullock."<ref>{{cite web|title=Demolition Man (1993)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/demolition_man/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=August 15, 2000|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626110756/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/demolition_man|url-status=live}}</ref> The film debuted at No. 1 at the box office.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fox|first=David J.|date=October 12, 1993|title=Weekend Box Office Stallone, Snipes: Action at Box Office|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-12-ca-44901-story.html|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403111600/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-12/entertainment/ca-44901_1_box-offices|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Fox|first=David J.|date=October 19, 1993|title=Weekend Box Office : 'Demolition Man' Fends Off 'Hillbillies'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-19-ca-47287-story.html|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=April 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404082027/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-19-ca-47287-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Horn|first=John|date=October 15, 1993|title=Demolition man' explodes into charts at no. 1|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-10-22-9310220292-story.html|access-date=May 4, 2020|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714050830/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-10-22-9310220292-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Demolition Man'' grossed $58,055,768 by the end of its box-office run in North America and $159,055,768 worldwide.<ref name="the-numbers">{{cite web|title=Demolition Man – Box Office Data, Movie News, Cast Information|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Demolition-Man#tab=summary|access-date=June 1, 2020|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]}}</ref>

His string of hits continued with 1994's ''[[The Specialist]]'' co-starring [[Sharon Stone]] and directed by [[Luis Llosa]], which opened in the U.S. on October 7.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/60240|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=catalog.afi.com|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427042800/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/60240|url-status=live}}</ref> While the critical reception was overwhelmingly negative,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Specialist|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1056079-specialist/|access-date=December 6, 2017|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=January 31, 2006|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222203234/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1056079-specialist/|url-status=live}}</ref> the film was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fox|first=David J.|date=October 11, 1994|title=Weekend Box Office Stallone and Stone Draw In the Fans|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-11-ca-48856-story.html|access-date=December 25, 2010|archive-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085327/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-10-11/entertainment/ca-48856_1_opening-weekend|url-status=live}}</ref> In its opening weekend it made $14,317,765 and ended up making back its budget with $57,362,582 at the domestic box office while making another $113,000,000 overseas, giving it a worldwide gross of $170,362,582.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Specialist|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3446703617/weekend/|access-date=October 10, 2020|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224141542/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3446703617/weekend/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[file:Sylvester Stallone Cannes.jpg|thumb|upright|Stallone at the 1993 [[Cannes Film Festival]]]]
In 1995, he played the [[Judge Dredd|title character]] (from the British comic book ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'') in the science fiction action film ''[[Judge Dredd (1995 film)|Judge Dredd]]''. His overseas box-office appeal saved the domestic box-office disappointment of ''Judge Dredd'', which cost almost {{US$|100}}&nbsp;million and barely made its budget back, with a worldwide tally of {{US$|113}}&nbsp;million. Despite the film's poor box-office performance, Stallone signed a three-picture deal with [[Universal Pictures]] for $60 million, making him the second star after [[Jim Carrey]] to receive $20 million per film. The deal expired in February 2000 without him making any films, however, so he received no payment.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=Spring 2000|issue=540|page=111|title=Big Deals|last=Fierman|first=Daniel}}</ref>

That year, he also appeared in the thriller ''[[Assassins (1995 film)|Assassins]]'' with [[Julianne Moore]] and [[Antonio Banderas]]. That same year, Stallone, along with an all-star cast of celebrities, appeared in the [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] short comedy film ''[[Your Studio and You]]'' commissioned by the [[Seagram]] Company for a party celebrating their acquisition of [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] and the MCA Corporation. Stallone speaks in his Rocky Balboa voice with subtitles translating what he is saying. At one point, Stallone starts yelling about how can they use his Balboa character, that he left it in the past; the narrator calms him with a [[wine cooler]] and calling him "brainiac." In response, Stallone says, "Thank you very much." He then looks at the wine cooler and exclaims, "Stupid cheap studio!"<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6493841613076981287 Your Studio and you] (From Google Video) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020045255/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6493841613076981287|date=October 20, 2012}}</ref>

In 1996, he starred in the [[disaster film]] ''[[Daylight (1996 film)|Daylight]]'' as a disgraced former emergency services chief who attempts to rescue survivors of an underground tunnel explosion. ''Daylight'' also underperformed at the domestic box office, grossing $33 million, but did better overseas and grossed a total of $158 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gomez|first=Patrick|date=July 2, 2020|title=This Sylvester Stallone flop still makes for an explosive good time|url=https://www.avclub.com/this-sylvester-stallone-flop-still-makes-for-an-explosi-1844191264|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=The A.V. Club|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183357/https://www.avclub.com/this-sylvester-stallone-flop-still-makes-for-an-explosi-1844191264|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, Stallone was cast against type as an overweight sheriff in the crime drama ''[[Cop Land]]'' in which he starred alongside [[Robert De Niro]] and [[Ray Liotta]]. The film was critically well-received and was a modest success at the box office, earning $63 million on a $15 million budget, and Stallone's performance earned him the [[Stockholm International Film Festival]] Best Actor Award. In 1998, he did voice-over work for the animated film ''[[Antz]]'', which was a success domestically.

=== 2000–2005: declining years ===
In 2000, Stallone starred in the thriller ''[[Get Carter (2000 film)|Get Carter]]'', a remake of the 1971 British film of the [[Get Carter|same name]], but the film was poorly received by both critics and audiences. Stallone's career declined considerably after his subsequent films ''[[Driven (2001 film)|Driven]]'' (2001), ''[[Avenging Angelo]]'' (2002) and ''[[D-Tox]]'' (2002) were also critical and commercial failures.

In 2003, he played a villainous role in the third installment of the ''[[Spy Kids (film series)|Spy Kids]]'' series: ''[[Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over]]'', which was a huge box-office success (almost {{US$|200}}&nbsp;million worldwide). Stallone also had a cameo appearance in the 2003 French film ''[[Taxi 3]]'' as a passenger. Also that year, Stallone started to regain prominence for his supporting role in the [[neo-noir]] crime drama ''[[Shade (film)|Shade]]'' which was only released in a limited fashion but was praised by critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shade/ |title=Shade |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728052059/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also attached to star and direct a film tentatively titled ''Rampart Scandal'', which was to be about the murder of rappers [[Tupac Shakur]] and [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and the surrounding [[Los Angeles Police Department]] corruption scandal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1472396/sylvester-stallone-making-movie-about-biggie-tupac-murders/|title=Sylvester Stallone Making Movie About Biggie, Tupac Murders|last=Patel|first=Joseph|date=June 6, 2003|publisher=[[MTV News]]|access-date=June 9, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606204428/http://www.mtv.com/news/1472396/sylvester-stallone-making-movie-about-biggie-tupac-murders/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later titled ''Notorious'' but was shelved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur30196.cfm |title=Stallone's Tupac/Biggie Movie a No Go: Actor was to play LAPD detective who found dirty cops at root of murders |date=December 7, 2006 |publisher=EURWeb.com |access-date=January 9, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 2005, alongside [[Sugar Ray Leonard]], he was the co-presenter of the [[NBC]] reality television boxing competition series ''[[The Contender (TV series)|The Contender]]''. That same year he also made a guest appearance in two episodes of the television series ''[[Las Vegas (TV series)|Las Vegas]]''. That year, Stallone also inducted [[professional wrestling]] icon [[Hulk Hogan]], who appeared in ''Rocky III'' as a wrestler named Thunderlips, into the WWE Hall of Fame; Stallone was also the person who offered Hogan the cameo in ''Rocky III''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.donaly.com/celebrity_scene_weekly.html |title=Sylvester Stallone Rocky- Celebrity Scene Monthly By Don Aly Vol 36 |publisher=Donaly.com |date=August 19, 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-date=July 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721050133/http://www.donaly.com/celebrity_scene_weekly.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August, Stallone released his book ''Sly Moves'' which claimed to be a guide to fitness and nutrition as well as a candid insight into his life and works from his own perspective. The book also contained many photographs of Stallone throughout the years as well as pictures of him performing exercises.

=== 2006–present: Franchise films ===
[[file:Sylvester Stallone Rocky VI 2005.JPG|thumb|16 years after filming ''[[Rocky V]]'', Stallone reprised his role as [[Rocky Balboa]] in 2006.]]

After a three-year hiatus from films, Stallone had a comeback in 2006 with the sixth installment of the ''Rocky'' series, ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]'', which was a critical and commercial hit. After the critical and box-office failure of the previous installment ''[[Rocky V]]'', Stallone had decided to write, direct and star in a sixth installment which would be a more appropriate climax to the series. The total domestic box office came to {{US$|70}}.3&nbsp;million (and {{US$|155.7}}&nbsp;million worldwide).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rocky6.htm |title=Rocky Balboa |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819053715/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=rocky6.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The budget of the film was only {{US$|24}}&nbsp;million. His performance in ''Rocky Balboa'' has been praised and garnered mostly positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_balboa/|title=Rocky Balboa|date=December 22, 2006|work=rottentomatoes.com|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117080022/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rocky_balboa|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, the development [[Death Wish (2018 film)|''Death Wish'']] remake began, when Stallone announced that he would be directing and starring in a remake of [[Death Wish (1974 film)|the 1974 film]]. Stallone said, "Instead of the [[Charles Bronson]] character being an architect, my version would have him as a very good cop who had incredible success without ever using his gun. So when the attack on his family happens, he's really thrown into a moral dilemma in proceeding to carry out his revenge." He later told the publication that he was no longer involved.<ref name="MHoleRemake">{{cite news|last=Morris|first=Clint|date=June 8, 2008|title=Stallone in Death Wish remake? Updated!|work=Moviehole|url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20061220_stallone_in_death_wish_remake.html|url-status=dead|access-date=December 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703060619/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20061220_stallone_in_death_wish_remake.html|archive-date=July 3, 2007|quote=Upon listening to the talkback responses on AICN, many who turned their nose at the idea of a remake, Stallone tells the site today that he will NOT be doing the movie. Yep, he listened to the fans!}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=November 5, 2007|title=Stallone tapped for Death Wish remake|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2205587,00.html|access-date=November 5, 2007|archive-date=November 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106100219/http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2205587,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with [[MTV]], though, Stallone stated that he was again considering the project.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Adam|date=October 2, 2009|title=Sylvester Stallone Speaks on a 'Death Wish' Remake and Edgar Allen Poe|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2433850/sylvester-stallone-speaks-on-a-death-wish-remake-and-edgar-allen-poe/|access-date=February 21, 2018|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[MTV]]|archive-date=February 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100840/http://www.mtv.com/news/2433850/sylvester-stallone-speaks-on-a-death-wish-remake-and-edgar-allen-poe/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However the role went to [[Bruce Willis]] with [[Eli Roth]] as director.

Stallone partnered with a beverage company producing an upscale [[bottled water]] brand called Sly Water.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dietrich, Heidi|date=January 15, 2006|title=Sylvester Stallone taps Mount Rainier for water sales|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/01/16/story2.html|access-date=December 6, 2015|work=Puget Sound Business Journal|archive-date=May 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509061112/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/01/16/story2.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Stallone reprised his other famous role as Rambo with the fourth installment of [[Rambo (franchise)|his other successful film franchise]] which was titled simply ''[[Rambo (2008 film)|Rambo]]'' (''John Rambo'' in some countries where the first film was titled ''Rambo''). The film opened in 2,751 theaters on January 25, 2008, grossing {{US$|6,490,000}} on its opening day and {{US$|18,200,000}} over its opening weekend. Its box office was {{US$|113,244,290}} worldwide with a budget of {{US$|50}}&nbsp;million.

In July 2009, Stallone made a cameo appearance in the [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Kambakkht Ishq]]'', where he played himself.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 22, 2010|title=Sylvester Stallone And Denise Richards Nominated For Razzies Equivalent, The Golden Kela Awards|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2435621/sylvester-stallone-and-denise-richards-nominated-for-razzies-equivalent-the-golden-kela-awards/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224081228/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/02/22/sylvester-stallone-and-denise-richards-nominated-for-razzies-equivalent-the-golden-kela-awards/|archive-date=February 24, 2010|access-date=June 9, 2020|publisher=MTV}}</ref> 
[[File:Flickr - nicogenin - 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra) - Sylvester Stallone (26).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Stallone in 2009 at the [[66th Venice International Film Festival]]]]
It was announced on December 7, 2010, that Stallone was voted into the [[International Boxing Hall of Fame]] in the non-participant category.<ref>{{cite news|date=December 7, 2010|title=Sylvester Stallone, hall of famer|work=Newsday|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/pet-rock-1.811972/sylvester-stallone-hall-of-famer-1.2523881|url-status=dead|access-date=December 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211122730/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/pet-rock-1.811972/sylvester-stallone-hall-of-famer-1.2523881|archive-date=December 11, 2010}}</ref>

Also that year, Stallone wrote, directed and starred in the ensemble action film ''[[The Expendables (2010 film)|The Expendables]]''. The film, which was filmed during summer/winter 2009, was released on August 13, 2010. Joining him in the film were fellow action stars [[Jason Statham]], [[Jet Li]], and [[Dolph Lundgren]], as well as [[Terry Crews]], [[Mickey Rourke]], [[Randy Couture]], [[Eric Roberts]], and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and cameos by fellow '80s action icons [[Bruce Willis]] and [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/09/action-movie-sequel-time-the-expendables-2-and-more-inglorious-basterds-prequel-talk/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712030119/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/09/action-movie-sequel-time-the-expendables-2-and-more-inglorious-basterds-prequel-talk/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |title=Action Movie Sequel Time: The Expendables 2, And More Inglorious Basterds Prequel Talk |publisher=Slashfilm.com |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2010 }}</ref> The film took {{US$|34,825,135}} in its opening weekend, going straight in at No. 1 in the US box office. The figure marked the biggest opening weekend in Stallone's career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2889&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report: 'Expendables' Pump Up, 'Eat Pray Love' Pigs Out, 'Scott Pilgrim' Powers Down |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 4, 2010 |archive-date=September 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906040308/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2889&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In summer 2010, Brazilian company O2 Filmes released a statement saying it was still owed more than {{US$|2}}&nbsp;million for its work on the film.<ref>{{cite news |first= Tom |last= Phillips |location= Rio de Janeiro |url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/02/sylvester-stallone-pursued-brazilians-debts |title= Sylvester Stallone pursued by Brazilian company for unexpendable debts |work= The Guardian |date= August 2, 2010 |access-date= August 13, 2010 |archive-date= January 28, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190128232902/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/02/sylvester-stallone-pursued-brazilians-debts |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2011, Stallone provided the voice of a lion in [[Kevin James]]' comedy ''[[Zookeeper (film)|Zookeeper]]''.

''[[The Expendables 2]]'' was released August 17, 2012; the sequel received a positive critical reception of 67% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Expendables 2|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables_2/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=August 17, 2012|access-date=August 20, 2012|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918073654/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables_2|url-status=live}}</ref> as opposed to the original's 41%.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Expendables|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables/|website= Rotten Tomatoes|date= August 13, 2010|access-date= August 20, 2012|archive-date= August 22, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120822134113/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables/|url-status= live}}</ref> As well as returning cast members from the first film, the ensemble cast also included [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]] and [[Chuck Norris]]. That year, Stallone co-wrote the book for the [[Rocky: The Musical|Broadway musical adaptation]] of ''Rocky''.

In 2013, Stallone starred in the action film ''[[Bullet to the Head]]'', directed by [[Walter Hill (director)|Walter Hill]], based upon Alexis Nolent's French graphic novel ''Du Plomb Dans La Tete''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sylvesterstallone.com/bullet-to-the-head-wraps-filming/|title=Bullet to the Head wraps filming|work=SylvesterStallone.com|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=July 24, 2012|archive-date=August 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804084948/http://sylvesterstallone.com/bullet-to-the-head-wraps-filming/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2013, he starred in the action thriller ''[[Escape Plan (film)|Escape Plan]]'', along with Arnold Schwarzenegger and [[Jim Caviezel]], and in the sports comedy drama ''[[Grudge Match]]'' alongside [[Robert De Niro]], harkening back to the ''Rocky'' franchise. Stallone was reported to be developing an English-language remake of the Spanish film ''[[No Rest for the Wicked (film)|No Rest for the Wicked]]'', though the project was shelved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://film-book.com/sylvester-stallone-talks-rambo-5-no-rest-for-the-wicked-remake/|title=Sylvester Stallone talks Rambo 5, ''No Rest For the Wicked'' Remake|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=July 24, 2012|archive-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313001958/http://film-book.com/sylvester-stallone-talks-rambo-5-no-rest-for-the-wicked-remake/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Ramin Setoodeh |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/sylvester-stallone-retiring-rambo-1201672291 |title=Sylvester Stallone Retiring 'Rambo' |magazine=Variety |date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214116/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/sylvester-stallone-retiring-rambo-1201672291/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year Stallone was credited as writer for the [[Jason Statham]] action film vehicle ''[[Homefront (2013 film)|Homefront]].''

''[[The Expendables 3]]'', the third installment in the ensemble action film series, was released on August 15, 2014. The returning ensemble cast also added [[Wesley Snipes]], [[Antonio Banderas]], [[Mel Gibson]] and [[Harrison Ford]]. This film was negatively received by both critics and audiences and became the lowest-grossing film in [[The Expendables (film series)|the series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sylvester-Stallone-Finally-Admits-Expendables-Made-Huge-Mistake-68375.html|title=Sylvester Stallone Finally Admits The Expendables Made This Huge Mistake|date=November 24, 2014|access-date=November 23, 2018|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524095457/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sylvester-Stallone-Finally-Admits-Expendables-Made-Huge-Mistake-68375.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Sylvester Stallone Cannes 2014 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Stallone promoting ''[[The Expendables 3]]'' at the [[2014 Cannes Film Festival]]]]
In 2015, Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in a spin-off-sequel film, ''[[Creed (film)|Creed]]'', which focused on Adonis "Donnie" Creed, the son of his deceased friend/rival, [[Apollo Creed]], becoming a professional boxer, played by [[Michael B. Jordan]]. The film, directed by [[Ryan Coogler]], received critical acclaim. Portraying the iconic cinematic boxer for the seventh time in a span of 40 years, Stallone's portrayal of the character received widespread acclaim and accolades, including the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor]], and his third [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination, this time for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]].

In 2017, Stallone appeared in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'' as [[Starhawk (comics)|Stakar Ogord / Starhawk]], the leader of a Ravagers faction.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-reveals-who-star-lords-d-1784197253 | title=Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Reveals Who Star-Lord's Dad Is, and It's Stupendous (Updated!) | publisher=[[io9]] | date=July 23, 2016 | access-date=August 3, 2016 | archive-date=July 24, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724061205/http://io9.gizmodo.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-reveals-who-star-lords-d-1784197253 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, he co-starred in ''[[Escape Plan 2: Hades]]'' with [[Dave Bautista]] which was released straight to home-video. Upon wrapping production, he announced via his social media page that work on the third movie titled ''[[Escape Plan: The Extractors]]'', began immediately thereafter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jaime-king-joins-sylvester-stallone-escape-plan-3-1041797/|title=Jaime King Joins Sylvester Stallone in 'Escape Plan 3' (Exclusive)|first1=Borys|last1=Kit|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=October 24, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024180216/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jaime-king-joins-sylvester-stallone-escape-plan-3-1041797/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, Stallone announced that he had finished a script for a sequel to ''Creed'', with a plot including the return of [[Ivan Drago]] from ''Rocky IV''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Max Evry|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/872283-drago-confirmed-for-creed-ii-as-stallone-finishes-script#/slide/1|title=Drago Confirmed for Creed II as Stallone Finishes Script|publisher=ComingSoon|date=July 21, 2017|access-date=July 21, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014836/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/872283-drago-confirmed-for-creed-ii-as-stallone-finishes-script#/slide/1|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, Stallone was featured in [[Derek Wayne Johnson]]'s ''John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs'', a documentary about director [[John G. Avildsen]].<ref>Kreps, Daniel. [https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/john-g-avildsen-rocky-the-karate-kid-director-dead-at-81-199305/ "John G. Avildsen, ''Rocky'', ''The Karate Kid'' Director, Dead at 81"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415050025/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/john-g-avildsen-rocky-the-karate-kid-director-dead-at-81-199305/ |date=April 15, 2019 }}, ''Rolling Stone'', San Francisco, CA, June 17, 2017. Retrieved on August 21, 2018.</ref>

''[[Creed II]]'' went into production in March 2018, with a scheduled release on Thanksgiving 2018. Stallone was originally slated to direct before the appointment of [[Steven Caple Jr.]], in his feature film directorial debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/12/creed-2-release-date-sylvester-stallone-ivan-drago|title=Sylvester Stallone drops major {{sic|announc|ment|nolink=y}} about 'Creed II'|date=December 27, 2017|access-date=December 31, 2017|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231155408/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/12/creed-2-release-date-sylvester-stallone-ivan-drago|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Creed II'' was released in the United States by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] on November 21, 2018. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and it went on to debut to $35.3 million in its opening weekend (a five-day total of $55.8 million), marking the biggest debut ever for a live-action release over Thanksgiving.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Christopher|title=Creed II First Reviews: A Solid, if Predictable, Sequel|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/creed-ii-first-reviews-a-solid-if-predictable-sequel/|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=November 16, 2018|date=November 18, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423072752/http://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/creed-ii-first-reviews-a-solid-if-predictable-sequel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/11/25/michael-b-jordans-creed-2-kos-box-office-with-record-breaking-55m-debut/|title=Michael B. Jordan's 'Creed 2' KO's Box Office With Record-Breaking $55M Debut|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=November 25, 2018|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125182651/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/11/25/michael-b-jordans-creed-2-kos-box-office-with-record-breaking-55m-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 23, 2019, in an interview with [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']], Stallone said that a Rocky sequel and prequel are in development. Producer [[Irwin Winkler]] said "We're very high on it" and that negotiations are underway for Stallone to write and star in the feature. "We're very anxious to make it." Stallone said the plot of the film would be about Rocky befriending a young fighter who is an undocumented immigrant. "Rocky meets a young, angry person who got stuck in this country when he comes to see his sister. He takes him into his life, and unbelievable adventures begin, and they wind up south of the border. It's very, very timely." Stallone said. Stallone also said there are "ongoing discussions" about a Rocky prequel television series, which he hopes will land on a streaming service and the series will likely follow a young Rocky Balboa as a professional boxing hopeful. Stallone said producer Irwin Winkler is hesitant on making the series saying that "There was some conflict there, yes. He felt in his mind that "Rocky" was primarily a feature film, and he didn't see it as being translated for cable, so there was a big bone of contention."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ |title=Sylvester Stallone Feels Robbed of an Ownership Stake in 'Rocky': 'I Was Furious' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031124140/https://variety.com/2019/film/features/sylvester-stallone-rocky-ownership-stake-1203275639/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://popculture.com/movies/2019/07/23/sylvester-stallone-reveals-rocky-sequel-prequel-in-development/ |title=Sylvester Stallone Reveals 'Rocky' Sequel and Prequel Are in Development |work=popculture.com |date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724165447/https://popculture.com/movies/2019/07/23/sylvester-stallone-reveals-rocky-sequel-prequel-in-development/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, Stallone hand-picked [[Derek Wayne Johnson]] to direct and produce a documentary on the making of the original ''[[Rocky]]'', entitled ''[[40 Years of Rocky]]'' (2020). The documentary features Stallone narrating behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the film.<ref name=":1">Drown, Michelle. [http://www.independent.com/news/2017/jan/26/john-avildsen-king-underdogs/ "John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs Director Derek Wayne Johnson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718030602/http://www.independent.com/news/2017/jan/26/john-avildsen-king-underdogs/ |date=July 18, 2018 }}, ''The Santa Barbara Independent'', Santa Barbara, CA, January 26, 2017. Retrieved on February 16, 2017.</ref>

Stallone formed a film studio named Balboa Productions with Braden Aftergood in March 2018, where Stallone will serve as co-producer for each of their projects. The studio signed a multi-year collaboration deal with Starlight Culture Entertainment to develop projects for film and television.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sylvester-stallone-launches-balboa-productions-1115792|title=Sylvester Stallone Launches Balboa Productions|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927124952/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sylvester-stallone-launches-balboa-productions-1115792|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2018, a fifth installment in the [[Rambo (franchise)|''Rambo'' franchise]] was announced, and in August 2018, [[Adrian Grünberg]] was confirmed as the director.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-director/|title=Rambo 5 Reportedly Recruits Get the Gringo Director|first=David|last=Stephens|work=Screen Rant|date=August 18, 2018|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819050055/https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-director/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Rambo: Last Blood]]'' began filming by September 2018, with a script co-written by Stallone, who also reprised his role as [[Vietnam War]] veteran John Rambo.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andrew|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/sylvester-stallone-in-line-to-take-on-mexican-cartel-in-rambo-5-1202383468/|title=Sylvester Stallone In Line To Take on Mexican Cartel in Rambo 5|date=May 5, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214104758/https://deadline.com/2018/05/sylvester-stallone-in-line-to-take-on-mexican-cartel-in-rambo-5-1202383468/|url-status=live}}</ref> The plot centers around Rambo infiltrating a [[Mexican Drug War|Mexican drug cartel]] to rescue a family friend's daughter.<ref name="ScreenDaily">{{cite magazine|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.screendaily.com/sylvester-stallone-lining-up-rambo-v-exclusive/5128882.article|title=Sylvester Stallone lining up 'Rambo V' (exclusive)|magazine=[[Screen Daily]]|date=May 5, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508002459/https://www.screendaily.com/sylvester-stallone-lining-up-rambo-v-exclusive/5128882.article|url-status=live}}</ref> The film, which was released on September 20, 2019, in the United States,<ref name="IGN">{{cite news|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/08/rambo-5-reportedly-in-the-works-with-sylvester-stallone|title=Rambo 5 Confirmed by Stallone, Coming Fall 2019|website=IGN|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509082229/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/08/rambo-5-reportedly-in-the-works-with-sylvester-stallone|url-status=live}}</ref> grossed $18.9 million in its opening weekend, the best debut of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/08/29/rambo-last-blood-projected-franchise-best-opening/|title=Rambo: Last Blood Projected For Franchise Best Opening|access-date=August 31, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831005659/https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/08/29/rambo-last-blood-projected-franchise-best-opening/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/rambo-last-blood-ad-astra-downton-abbey-box-office-projections-1202707434/ |title=Rambo: Last Blood' Eyes Franchise Best $24M+ Opening, Will Toss 'Ad Astra' Out Of Orbit & Crash 'Downton Abbey's Party |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 29, 2019 |access-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829181842/https://deadline.com/2019/08/rambo-last-blood-ad-astra-downton-abbey-box-office-projections-1202707434/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film grossed $91 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million.

In late 2020, Stallone lent his voice as Rambo to the fighting video game ''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]'', as part of the game's 2nd Kombat Pack.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amore|first=Samson|date=October 8, 2020|title=Sylvester Stallone to Voice Rambo in 'Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/rambo-mortal-kombat-11-ultimate-sylvester-stallone/|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=TheWrap|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623065435/https://www.thewrap.com/rambo-mortal-kombat-11-ultimate-sylvester-stallone/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, he voiced [[King Shark]] in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/king-shark-sylvester-stallone-i-m-looking-for-love-it-s-the-loneliest-apex-predator-1.4624720|title=King Shark Sylvester Stallone: 'I'm looking for love. It's the loneliest apex predator'|publisher=The Irish Times|accessdate=August 10, 2021|archive-date=July 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725231222/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/king-shark-sylvester-stallone-i-m-looking-for-love-it-s-the-loneliest-apex-predator-1.4624720|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Stallone starred in ''[[Samaritan (film)|Samaritan]]'', a dark interpretation of the [[superhero]] genre, from a script written by Bragi Schut.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dave|last=McNary|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/sylvester-stallone-samaritan-mgm-1203145083/|title=Sylvester Stallone's Superhero Drama 'Samaritan' Lands at MGM|date=February 21, 2019|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=December 8, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222012147/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/sylvester-stallone-samaritan-mgm-1203145083/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2022, Stallone made his [[streaming television]] debut in ''[[Tulsa King]]'', in which he plays a Mafia boss. The 9-episode series was created by [[Taylor Sheridan]] and [[Terence Winter]] and premiered on [[Paramount+]].<ref name="Mar22-cast">{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=''Tulsa King'': Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza & Jay Will Join Sylvester Stallone In Paramount+ Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/tulsa-king-max-casella-domenick-lombardozzi-vincent-piazza-jay-cast-sylvester-stallone-paramount-plus-1234985490/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 24, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415095241/https://deadline.com/2022/03/tulsa-king-max-casella-domenick-lombardozzi-vincent-piazza-jay-cast-sylvester-stallone-paramount-plus-1234985490/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A second season continued thereafter.

In May 2023 Stallone and his immediate family (wife and three daughters) starred in a reality television series ''[[The Family Stallone]]''. Seven days after launch, the series was renewed for a second season. That same month, Stallone reprised his role as Stakar Ogord in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeVore |first=Britta |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Sylvester Stallone Confirms His Return to the MCU in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' |url=https://collider.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-sylvester-stallone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113035650/https://collider.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-sylvester-stallone/ |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> ''[[Sly (film)|Sly]]'', a documentary film about Stallone by [[Thom Zimny]], premiered as the closing film of the [[2023 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/tiff/article-netflixs-sylvester-stallone-documentary-sly-to-close-tiff/ "Netflix’s Sylvester Stallone documentary Sly to close TIFF"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225254/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/tiff/article-netflixs-sylvester-stallone-documentary-sly-to-close-tiff/ |date=August 10, 2023 }}. ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', August 8, 2023.</ref> In October 2023, he reprised role as Barney Ross in ''[[Expend4bles]]'', which was a critical and commercial failure, becoming the lowest-grossing film in the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2023/09/25/expendables-4-is-another-2023-flop-at-50-million-box-office/ |title='Expendables 4' Is Another 2023 Flop At $50 Million Box Office |work=Forbes |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>

==== Upcoming projects ====

Following the releases of ''Creed II'' and ''Rambo V: Last Blood'', Balboa Productions has had an extensive production slate. A film depicting the history of [[Jack Johnson (boxer)|Jack "Galveston Giant" Johnson]], the first African-American boxing heavyweight champion, is in development. The project was announced after Stallone's instrumental involvement in helping get Johnson a posthumous pardon from US President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jack-johnson-boxer-movie-sylvester-stallone-1202825380/|title=Sylvester Stallone to Make Movie About Trump-Pardoned Boxer Jack Johnson|first1=Dave|last1=McNary|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073457/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jack-johnson-boxer-movie-sylvester-stallone-1202825380/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Stallone is also scheduled to star in the film adaptation of ''[[Hunter (Huggins novel)|Hunter]]'', a story which had originally been planned as the premise for ''Rambo V: Last Blood''. The story centers around Nathaniel Hunter, a professional tracker who is hired to hunt a half-human beast created as an experiment of a secret agency. A feature-length adaptation of the biographical novel ''Ghost: My Thirty Years as an FBI Undercover Agent'' by Michael McGowan and Ralph Pezzullo about McGowan's career of over 50 undercover missions will follow, though there is no screenwriter attached to the project. Additionally, a film centered around black ops troops, being written by retired Army Ranger Max Adams, is also in development. Stallone wrote ''[[A Working Man]]'' in collaboration with [[David Ayer]] from a book series created by [[Chuck Dixon]], which was initially intended to be a television series, but later became a feature film starring [[Jason Statham]].<ref name="WorkingMan_Deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/jason-statham-david-ayer-sylvester-stallone-levons-trade-black-bear-bill-block-afm-1235585741/|work=Deadline|title=Jason Statham To Star In David Ayer-Directed Sylvester Stallone Script 'Levon's Trade' From Black Bear & Bill Block's BlockFilm — AFM Hot Package|author=Wiseman, Andreas|date=October 27, 2023|accessdate=January 19, 2025}}</ref> The television production slate includes a series adaptation of Charles Sailor's ''Second Son'' being written by Rob Williams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/sylvester-stallone-samaritan-hunter-balboa-productions-ghost-book-deal-1202483446/|title=Sylvester Stallone To Star In 'Samaritan' & 'Hunter', Acquires FBI Memoir As His Balboa Productions Ramps Up Slate|first1=Amanda|last1=N'Duka|date=October 17, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022073513/https://deadline.com/2018/10/sylvester-stallone-samaritan-hunter-balboa-productions-ghost-book-deal-1202483446/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2020, Stallone announced that a sequel to 1993's ''[[Demolition Man (film)|Demolition Man]]'' is in the works: "I think it's coming. We're working on it right now with Warner Brothers. It's looking fantastic. So, that should come out, that's going to happen".<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2020|title=Demolition Man 2 in the Works at Warner, Says Sylvester Stallone|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/demolition-man-2-sylvester-stallone-warner/|access-date=June 30, 2020|website=Den of Geek|archive-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512185456/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/demolition-man-2-sylvester-stallone-warner/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stallone has continued to express his passion in directing a film based on [[Edgar Allan Poe]]'s life, a script he has been preparing for years. He has also mentioned that he would like to adapt [[Nelson DeMille]]'s novel ''[[The Lion's Game]]''.