His stint as Rocky Balboa saw him nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars in 1977. And almost 40 years later it looks like Sylvester Stallone could find himself in a similar position following reports the veteran action star has been tipped for an Academy Award for his portrayal of the famous fictional boxer in the latest instalment of the franchise, Creed.
The 69-year-old actor has been surrounded by Oscar buzz for his performance, which sees him play the trainer of Apollo Creed’s son, Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan).
‘Just from the trailer, it seems to be the best work he’s ever done. He hits it out of the park, and if there’s a vote, I’ll be voting for him,’ producer Charles Winkler told Variety regarding the rumours.
‘The talk has happened without us having to boost it at all, and deservedly so. We know Sylvester Stallone as an action star, but we forget he started as a character actor,’ he added.
However, remaining modest, Stallone insisted that it’s director Ryan Coogler who should be receiving the praise.
‘I think it’s because of what this young man and has done and how he directed it. He just put me in a good light,’ he quipped.
The new movie follows Johnson’s bid to obtain boxing stardom by asking Rocky to come out of retirement to help him in his quest.
Despite the former boxing champ battling an opponent deadlier than any in the ring, he agrees to mentor the young boxer and soon helps him attain a title shot, though whether he has the true heart of a fighter remains to be seen