Sylvester Stallone narrates 30-minute Rocky documentary premiering on-demand next week

Three-time Oscar nominee Sylvester Stallone narrates a new 30-minute Rocky documentary featuring never-before-seen on-set footage, which streams VOD starting June 9.

In the one-minute trailer for 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic, the 73-year-old Italian stallion discussed his iconic underdog boxer character Rocky Balboa.

‘It was early morning on the streets of Philadelphia. It was freezing cold. I just began to feel something welling inside and they go, “Sly are you ready?” And I go, “I’m not but Rocky is,”‘ Stallone said in the preview.  

‘You’re a very lucky person when you can find out the best friend you ever had is some character that just popped out of your mind. Someone who is always there when things got rough and never quit on you.’

Director Derek Wayne Johnson (John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs) spent the last four years helming his inside look at the original 1976 film from archival footage.

‘The documentary is a golden nugget for Rocky fans and casual audiences alike,’ the 37-year-old filmmaker told IndieWire in a statement.

‘It’s a charming piece of film history narrated by Rocky himself, Sylvester Stallone, and will give audiences an intimate, and at times, emotional experience.  

‘We’re proud of the film, and audiences can expect new stories and new footage that they’ve never seen before in a blend of director John Avildsen’s home movies, rehearsal footage, and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the ultimate underdog film.’

Rocky earned three Academy Awards – best picture, best director, and best film editing – and it spawned five sequels and two Creed spin-offs, amassing $1.658B at the box office.

Sly (born Michael) is excited for Rocky to appear in the third Creed film, which producer Irwin Winkler wants Michael B. Jordan to star in and direct.