New Delhi: Down but never out, actor Sylvester Stallone is forging a movie comeback for the unlikely boxing champion, Rocky Balboa with a sixth film in the Rocky series.
Titled Rocky Balboathe story revolves around the Philadelphia based boxer who is lured out of a long retirement to fight a championship bout while dealing with personal tragedy outside the ring.
The original Rocky in 1976 is the story of a lowly club fighter in Philadelphia who gets his one shot at the championship title and loses in a split decision but wins a personal triumph.
It proved to be a box office smash, sending Stallone's star soaring, raking in 117 million dollars and winning 3 Oscars, the US film industry's top honours, for directing, editing and best film.
Stallone, who also wrote the screenplay, was nominated for best actor but lost to Peter Finch who won it for his portrayal of an aging news anchor with sinking ratings, in the film Network.
?Rocky Balboa' is about everybody who feels they want to participate in the race of life, rather than be a bystander. You're never too old to climb a mountain, if that's your desire,? Stallone said in a statement.
Most successor films proved strong with fans but Rocky V failed to excite fans and earned a meager $41 million at US and Canadian box offices.
MGM President Dan Taylor said yesterday he was convinced that a ?whole new generation of filmgoers is ready to be introduced to Rocky Balboa and his life in and out of the ring.?
The new film will begin production early next year and is backed by MGM, Columbia Pictures, and Revolution Studios.
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