Hey yo, my fellow Rocky enthusiasts, if more of the Italian Stallion is what you want, a new behind-the-scenes documentary titled 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic is about to hit you with one hell of a haymaker.
It's been announced today that Virgil Films & Entertainment will release 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic via On-Demand this June 9th. The making-of documentary is directed by Derek Wayne Johnson, who profiled the director of Rocky in his 2017 film John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs. As it happens, Avildsen – who passed away from complications related to pancreatic cancer in 2017 – recorded his own 8mm footage during pre-production and filming for the first film in Rocky Balboa's storied film series. This footage, along with some other bells and whistles, will be used to help create Johnson's new doc, which is set to be narrated by Sylvester Stallone.
In addition to Avildsen's materials, footage belonging to Troma Entertainment's Lloyd Kaufman will also be used as a part of the new documentary. Kaufman had served as Rocky's production manager for a time, though according to Virgil, what he'd shot had never been seen until it was included in Johnson's latest deep-dive. According to those close to the doc, Kaufman's footage contains makeup tests, boxing choreography sessions and other moments involving Stallone and co-stars Carl Weathers and Talia Shire.
As for Stallone's contribution, the world-famous filmmaker will detail the film's production as well as the harrowing story behind the movie getting green-lit. If you're a fan of the film, you'll likely be familiar with the many trials and tribulations that led to the ROCKY's production, such as how Stallone fought to keep his original script and starring role. All of that and more is bound to enter the ring when Derek Wayne Johnson's 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic arrives On-Demand come June 9th.