Book excerpt: "The Steps" by Sylvester Stallone
In his memoir, the actor writes of his early struggles, leading to writing his screenplay for the Oscar-winning hit "Rocky."
In 1976, Sylvester Stallone rose to fame with the release of the classic film Rocky. The movie was a commercial and artistic triumph, earning him three Academy Awards and catapulting his career to new heights. Stallone's new memoir, The Steps, published on September 29 by William Morrow, delves into his early struggles before creating the iconic character of Rocky Balboa.
The excerpt from The Steps reveals how Stallone's screenplay for Rocky was born out of his own experiences and the desire to write about something relatable for a wide audience. He was in a difficult financial situation, not only broke but also expecting a child. Stallone struggled with writer's block and self-doubt, wondering if he was the only person who felt life was hard and dismissive.
One night, after a fruitless writing session, he took a walk around the neighborhood and began contemplating the universal feelings of frustration and abandonment many people experience when their dreams seem out of reach. Stallone realized that the most frustrating aspect of his life was the lack of opportunity. He believed that every person, despite their struggles, has the chance to seize the moment and give their all, even if they may fail.
Stallone's writing shifted towards a theme that resonated with the struggles faced by almost everyone: a character whose dreams had been crushed, and who had accepted himself as a loser in life. He pondered how such a person would be symbolized and what kind of metaphor could represent life's challenges. Two natural human instincts emerged: racing and fighting.
Race is a fundamental part of human nature, from competing in various activities to the eternal struggle for time. Fighting is equally innate, as life is an ongoing battle that we face from birth.
Inspired by these observations, Stallone envisioned a character embodying the spirit of a boxer – someone who has faced numerous setbacks but continues to persevere through the hardships of life. This character will be the protagonist of Rocky, and his journey will mirror the struggles and triumphs of people worldwide.
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