Boxer Suing Stallone for 'Rocky' Films

Lasza · 11-07-2003, 02:03 PM

Boxer Suing Stallone for 'Rocky' Films

NEW YORK - The boxer who was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone (news)'s "Rocky" films plans to file a lawsuit against the actor for illegally using his name to promote the films and other merchandise, attorneys said Friday.

Chuck Wepner, 65, is seeking $15 million in damages from the right of publicity claim, said his attorney Anthony Mango. The suit will be filed next week in New Jersey State Court.

"Stallone is keenly aware that having a movie based on true story adds an appeal and he capitalizes on that, but has never given Chuck anything back," Mango said.

Wepner fought Muhammad Ali in March 1975 and went 15 rounds before he was knocked out. Stallone was at the bout and went on to write the screenplay for "Rocky."

"That night I went home and I had the beginning of my character. I had him now. I was going to make a creation called Rocky Balboa, a man from the streets, a walking cliche of sorts, the all-American tragedy, a man who didn't have much mentality but had incredible emotion and patriotism and spirituality and good nature even though nature had not been good to him," according to the actor's Web site.

Stallone's attorneys did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The 1976 film won Academy Awards (news - web sites) for best picture, film editing and directing.

Mango said Wepner waited almost 28 years before filing the suit because he always expected Stallone to compensate him.

"Stallone said there was going to be something in this for Chuck. But he was giving him shallow promises to placate him. Chuck took him as a man of his word, but then finally realized it was never going to happen," Mango said.

Theater, DVD and video sales from the five "Rocky" movies total about $1 billion, Mango said.

Here is the link.

***VamPyroX*** · 11-07-2003, 03:55 PM

Jeez... why wait until now? What a dumbass!

Fly Free · 11-07-2003, 04:48 PM

Vampy -- that was my FIRST thought when i started reading the article -- i think maybe he waited 15 years to see if the movies had made any bigger profits q

at some ppl

Sweet_KJ · 11-07-2003, 05:09 PM

Vampy and Fly -- I totally agree... that's what's wrong with this world lately.. people WAIT until later to sue someone... or make accusations (ie the Arnorld S. accusations, etc) .. yes I agree with Fly, he could have been waiting for a bigger profit.

Oddball · 11-07-2003, 06:02 PM

Why wait too long? If he knew that Sly does not compesate him, so he can sue him right away. What an idiot!!

javapride · 11-07-2003, 07:03 PM

not only that hes a dunce for even wanting money that he never will see! So therefore he just wasted his own money on lawyers fees knowing full well, there is NO chance that money will ever come to him......

Steel X · 11-13-2003, 08:50 PM

he'll never get the money after 28 years of that classic series...

11-07-2003, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lasza Premium Lurker Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mile High State Posts: 2,510	Boxer Suing Stallone for 'Rocky' Films Boxer Suing Stallone for 'Rocky' Films NEW YORK - The boxer who was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone (news)'s "Rocky" films plans to file a lawsuit against the actor for illegally using his name to promote the films and other merchandise, attorneys said Friday. Chuck Wepner, 65, is seeking $15 million in damages from the right of publicity claim, said his attorney Anthony Mango. The suit will be filed next week in New Jersey State Court. "Stallone is keenly aware that having a movie based on true story adds an appeal and he capitalizes on that, but has never given Chuck anything back," Mango said. Wepner fought Muhammad Ali in March 1975 and went 15 rounds before he was knocked out. Stallone was at the bout and went on to write the screenplay for "Rocky." "That night I went home and I had the beginning of my character. I had him now. I was going to make a creation called Rocky Balboa, a man from the streets, a walking cliche of sorts, the all-American tragedy, a man who didn't have much mentality but had incredible emotion and patriotism and spirituality and good nature even though nature had not been good to him," according to the actor's Web site. Stallone's attorneys did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. The 1976 film won Academy Awards (news - web sites) for best picture, film editing and directing. Mango said Wepner waited almost 28 years before filing the suit because he always expected Stallone to compensate him. "Stallone said there was going to be something in this for Chuck. But he was giving him shallow promises to placate him. Chuck took him as a man of his word, but then finally realized it was never going to happen," Mango said. Theater, DVD and video sales from the five "Rocky" movies total about $1 billion, Mango said. Here is the link.

11-07-2003, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 26,562	Jeez... why wait until now? What a dumbass! __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

11-13-2003, 08:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Steel X Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10,636	he'll never get the money after 28 years of that classic series... __________________

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11-07-2003, 04:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fly Free Just me Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wherever i want to be LOL Posts: 9,100	Vampy -- that was my FIRST thought when i started reading the article -- i think maybe he waited 15 years to see if the movies had made any bigger profits q at some ppl

11-07-2003, 05:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sweet_KJ * Muse * Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 722	Vampy and Fly -- I totally agree... that's what's wrong with this world lately.. people WAIT until later to sue someone... or make accusations (ie the Arnorld S. accusations, etc) .. yes I agree with Fly, he could have been waiting for a bigger profit.

11-07-2003, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oddball Wacky Oddball Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Moon Posts: 3,132	Why wait too long? If he knew that Sly does not compesate him, so he can sue him right away. What an idiot!!

11-07-2003, 07:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
javapride Java's Big Island Life! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: hawaii Posts: 6,509	not only that hes a dunce for even wanting money that he never will see! So therefore he just wasted his own money on lawyers fees knowing full well, there is NO chance that money will ever come to him......