- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Stallone returns to the silver screen with Rambo
- Date: 14th February 2008
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FEBRUARY 12, 2008) (REUTERS) SIGN READING 'FREE THE MONKS' VARIOUS BURMESE NATIONALS WHO HAVE COME TO THE PREMIER TO THANK SYLVESTER STALLONE FOR THE SUPPORT THE RAMBO FILM HAS BROUGHT TO THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN BURMA (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYLVESTER STALLONE SAYING: "That to me is the key to the whole thing. I said if we could touch on something that actually has an impact on peoples lives, because actually as we are speaking right now there is a civil war going on, but nobody knows about it, but now they do. So I kind of feel vindicated by that." SYLVESTER STALLONE ON THE RED CARPET
- Embargoed: 29th February 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVAEXJQQXLY8MGIXMYDMVE2WSOKA
- Story Text: Greeted by an army of fans in Leicester Square, Sylvester Stallone was in London on Tuesday night, February 12, to promote the release of this latest Hollywood blockbuster 'Rambo,' the fourth film in a franchise that was first seen buy movie fans back in 1982 then followed up with sequels in 1985 and 1988.
Talking to Reuters at the premiere of Rambo, Stallone shared his insight as to why Rocky and Rambo still woo fans after all these years.
"You sit there and you draw out a blue print, these two characters have been going out for eight million years, and here they are coming back, and it just seams like I have touched a nerve. I am just eternally grateful. I think if you just happen to fall on a subject that really gets people emotionally, that is the key and luckily I tripped across those things."
And it seem like it is all good news for the 61 year old writer, director, producer who seems to have defied his critics and doubters
"The scepticism was incredible. I was a big joke and I understand it because it really is, it is quite a stretch. Stallone said when he came up with the idea to revive the Rocky and Rambo franchises. "But I think if nothing else it proves if that if you feel kind of young at heart and you really want to do it, don't give up."
That desire not to give up the fight has given the film an estimated 25 million dollars (USD) in its first 10 days of release in North America.
"Be careful what you wish for, now I have to go out and work, Stallone joked when asked about the two picture deal that he has just signed in LA, that will see the star act and direct.
In 'Rambo 4', an aging John Rambo leaves his quiet retirement as a boat repairman in northen Thailand to help christian missionaries kidnapped by a battalion of Burmese soldiers in Karen State.
In London a group of Burmese activists attended the premiere to thank Stallone for bringing to the silver screen the issue of the ongoing trouble in Burma, and after the crushing of September's 2007 monk-led protests, anti-junta activists have seen the movie as a rallying cry to a cause that receives little Western backing beyond words of support for detained opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
"That to me is the key to the whole thing. I said if we could touch on something that actually has an impact on peoples lives, because actually as we are speaking right now there is a civil war going on, but nobody knows about it, but now they do. So I kind of feel vindicated by that."
Other stars attending the London premiere of the film included footballers John Terry and Joe Cole along with socialite Victoria Harvey.
The 18-certificate (R Rated) film goes on general release in the UK on Friday, February 22. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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