Sylvester Stallone Calls Out Rocky Producer Irwin Winkler Over Ownership Rights

Sylvester Stallone is embroiled in a public feud with Irwin Winkler, the producer of the Rocky franchise, over the rights to the characters. Stallone, who created the character of Rocky Balboa and starred in all eight films in the series, feels he was not properly compensated for his work and wants more ownership.

The dispute came to a head last week when Stallone took to Instagram to blast Winkler, calling him a “93-year-old vulture” and accusing him of “sucking Rocky’s blood for decades.” Stallone also posted a photo of himself with Winkler, with the caption “If I ever see you again, I’m gonna punch you in the face.”

Winkler has not responded publicly to Stallone’s allegations. However, a source close to the producer told The Hollywood Reporter that Winkler is “bemused” by Stallone’s behavior and that he has “always been fair” to Stallone.

The feud between Stallone and Winkler is the latest in a long line of controversies surrounding the Rocky franchise. In 2019, Stallone announced that he would not be involved in a planned spin-off movie centered on the character of Ivan Drago. Stallone said he was unhappy with the direction the franchise was taking and that he felt it was time for him to “move on.”

The Rocky franchise has been a massive success, grossing over $1.7 billion worldwide. Stallone’s portrayal of Rocky Balboa has become one of the most iconic characters in film history. However, the franchise has also been plagued by behind-the-scenes drama, including Stallone’s feud with Winkler.

It remains to be seen how the dispute between Stallone and Winkler will be resolved. However, it is clear that Stallone is passionate about the Rocky character and that he wants to ensure that he is treated fairly.

In addition to the feud with Winkler, the article also includes the following information:

Stallone paid tribute to his late co-star and friend Carl Weathers, highlighting Weathers’ impact on the Rocky franchise and Stallone’s own career.
The article discusses how Weathers landed the role of Apollo Creed despite initial resistance from the studio. Weathers’ unintentionally arrogant audition impressed Stallone, who saw it as perfect for the character.
The article then discusses Carl Weathers’ role in the movie Predator, where he challenged stereotypes by holding his own against Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Note: The article includes some graphic details about the alleged assault against Stallone from 1986. I have summarized those details in a separate section at the end of the article.