Summary
Sylvester Stalloneonce statedDaylightwould be his final action role, but it didn’t take long for him to go back on that vow. After years of struggling as an actor and screenwriter, Stallone broke through in a major way with underdog classicRockyin 1976. Critics at the time touted him as the natural successor to actors like Marlon Brando, but Sly’s career soon went a very different route. After fronting moremovies in theRockyfranchise,Stallone’s success withFirst Bloodmade him an action star.
Sylvester Stallone action movieswere soon flying thick and fast, while his rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger meant his bodycount and muscles became increasingly bigger. In hindsight, it’s unfortunate he became so typecast in the genre. Stallone has many great action movies to his name, but his work in films likeNighthawksorCoplandshows he’s just as capable of more nuanced performances. If he had been able to balance action with the occasional drama or character piece, that would have been the ideal mix.
All 8 Movies Directed By Sylvester Stallone, Ranked
While Sylvester Stallone may be best known as an actor, he has also directed several films including entries in the Rocky and Rambo franchises.
Sylvester Stallone Declared 1996’s Daylight Would Be His Final Action Movie
Stallone felt he was getting too old for the genre
Stallone had a mixed run during the 1990s, where major successes likeCliffhangerwere followed by box-office duds likeJudge Dredd.When Stallone signed for 1996 disaster movieDaylight, he gave an interview toVarietyproclaiming it was his last action movieand that he wouldcompletely step away from the genre when it was complete.
I will take a different direction in my career. I’ve done as much as I can do in these (actioners). I want to be in more responsible stories, I don’t want to be the ‘Samson’ of the movies any more.
More than just a desire to move into different types of projects, Stallone also turned 50 in 1996, stating “I think I’ve gone as far as I can go with these kind of films.”Daylightcast the star as a disgraced former EMS chief who risks his life to save a group of people trapped inside a collapsed New York tunnel. While his character never fires a gun or battles evil Russians, the film gives Stallone plenty of action to perform, including his character infiltrating the tunnel by dodging gigantic fans in the tunnel’s ventilation system.
Nicolas Cage was the first choice forDaylight, but he wasn’t considered a big enough name by the studio at that time.
Daylightis an enjoyable late night disaster flick, but is neither the best nor worst of Sly’s filmography. Despite well-executed setpieces, the film is saddled with irritating supporting characters and rote exposition.Daylightdid respectable if modest business upon release, earning almost $160 million worldwide on a reported $80 million budget (viaThe Numbers).
Stallone Broke His Action Retirement After A Run Of Bombs
Copland should have changed Stallone’s career
Despite having been a huge star for close to 20 years, by the early 2000s, Hollywood considered Stallone to be box-office poison after years of underperforming films.
For a time, it appeared Sly would stay true to his action movie retirement.He followedDaylightwith one of his best performances in 1997’sCopland, holding his own in an ensemble that included Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel. Despite receiving acclaim, the thriller wasn’t a big hit, and he went onto a run of box-office disappointments likeGet Carter,Drivenand his only horror film,D-Tox.
Despite having been a huge star for close to 20 years, by the early 2000s, Hollywood considered Stallone to be box-office poison after years of underperforming films. Some of the above films had elements of action, but they still belong to different genres. The late 2000s is when some reliableStallone action movie franchisesgot dusted off, with entries likeRocky BalboaorRamboreviving his career; Sly even created a new saga for himself withThe Expendables.
Stallone has long since broken hisDaylightvow, though in truth, he was softening on this stance evenwhilepromoting the disaster film. He toldFilm Threatin 1996 that “…it would be wrong for me to say I would abandon the action genre,” when asked ifDaylightwas truly his final stint. Indeed, close to30 years on, the star is still appearing in action projects likeExpendables 4andSamaritan.
