Rocky Goes Around Again!!

SMH
Another round for Rocky
October 18, 2005 - 6:30AM

Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone will reprise his role as a working-class boxing champ in a new sequel to Rocky, the film that propelled him to fame almost 30 years ago.
The actor, now 59, will also direct, write and co-produce Rocky Balboa, the sixth film in the winning Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film series launched with the Oscar-winning Rocky in 1976, Stallone's spokeswoman and MGM said.
"It's all very exciting," said Michelle Bega, the spokeswoman for the star who won Academy Award nominations for starring in and writing Rocky.
The new film will begin shooting in January, said MGM and co-producers Revolution Studios.
Rocky Balboa will pick up the saga of boxer Rocky Balboa when, years after his retirement, he is drawn back to the boxing ring one last time following the death of his wife.
He is challenged not only by a powerful new champion but also by his personal woes.
"We're convinced the Rocky franchise is as strong as ever, with a whole new generation of filmgoers ready to be introduced and an established fan base eager to be reacquainted with this iconic character," said MGM president Dan Taylor.
"We felt it was the perfect first film to be green lit under the 'new' MGM," he said as the studio relaunches itself following its purchase last year by Japan's Sony Pictures.
The Rocky franchise has raked in $US495 million ($650 million) in North America alone over the past 29 years and remains the signature role of Stallone, who also starred in Rambo.
AFP