Sylvester Stallone’s Intense Behind-the-Scenes Journey Filming Rocky IV
Sylvester Stallone recently shared a surprising revelation about his intense experience filming Rocky IV.
In a documentary on his YouTube channel, Stallone opened up about a serious injury he sustained while filming a key scene with Dolph Lundgren, who played the powerful Soviet boxer Ivan Drago.
Stallone recalled being struck in the chest so hard it felt like the impact of a car crash. At first, he didn’t realize the extent of the injury, but later that evening, he felt discomfort that rapidly worsened.
Doctors soon discovered Stallone’s blood pressure had spiked to a dangerous 260, leading to his emergency transport from Canada to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California.
He spent four days in intensive care, joking about being surrounded by nuns in the ICU. Despite the severity of his injury, Stallone remained determined to finish the scene, saying he “had to return to the arena to complete the battle.”
Incredibly, the very scene where Stallone was injured made it into the final cut of Rocky IV.
Reflecting on this experience, Stallone noted that his commitment to realism and authenticity drove him to push through, capturing the intense spirit of his character, Rocky Balboa.
In this fourth installment, Rocky faces Drago in the Soviet Union to avenge the loss of his friend, Apollo Creed, delivering one of the most memorable showdowns in the series.
Stallone’s dedication and resilience in filming Rocky IV highlight the physical and emotional challenges actors often endure to bring their roles to life.
His journey behind the scenes gives fans a deeper appreciation of the legendary Rocky franchise and the grit it takes to portray the champion spirit of Rocky Balboa.
