Boxer Suing Stallone for 'Rocky' Films

Yahoo Entertainment News ^ | 11-07-2003 | AP

[Captain Peter Blood]

NEW YORK - The boxer who was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone (news)'s "Rocky" films plans to file a lawsuit against the actor for illegally using his name to promote the films and other merchandise, attorneys said Friday.

Chuck Wepner, 65, is seeking $15 million in damages from the right of publicity claim, said his attorney Anthony Mango. The suit will be filed next week in New Jersey State Court.

"Stallone is keenly aware that having a movie based on true story adds an appeal and he capitalizes on that, but has never given Chuck anything back," Mango said.

Wepner fought Muhammad Ali in March 1975 and went 15 rounds before he was knocked out. Stallone was at the bout and went on to write the screenplay for "Rocky."

"That night I went home and I had the beginning of my character. I had him now. I was going to make a creation called Rocky Balboa, a man from the streets, a walking cliche of sorts, the all-American tragedy, a man who didn't have much mentality but had incredible emotion and patriotism and spirituality and good nature even though nature had not been good to him," according to the actor's Web site.

Stallone's attorneys had no comment on the potential lawsuit.

The 1976 film won Academy Awards (news - web sites) for best picture, film editing and directing.

Mango said Wepner waited almost 28 years before filing the suit because he always expected Stallone to compensate him.

"Stallone said there was going to be something in this for Chuck. But he was giving him shallow promises to placate him. Chuck took him as a man of his word, but then finally realized it was never going to happen," Mango said.

Theater, DVD and video sales from the five "Rocky" movies total about $1 billion, Mango said.

[Captain Peter Blood]

Where in the Hell has this guy been for 28 years? To try and sue after all this time for a piece of the pie is really too much. Did it take this guy that long to find some "Sleazy" Lawyer to take the case? Sorry to say I do not remember this guy nor the fact he ever fought Ali. I guess he now needs some retirement money so why not sue Stallone and claim he was promised something. I doubt this suit will go anywhere but the guy may get a few bucks out it if his lawyer doesn't take it all first!!

[Bubba_Leroy]

I doubt the suit will ever be filed. If it is, it will be quickly and quietly dismissed. The idiot is after publicity, nothing more. The statute of limitations on any claim he can think of is a hellovalot shorter than 28 years.

[Always Right]

[fish hawk]

I thought you meant Barbara Boxer!

[ClearCase_guy]

Why, my great-granpappy invented the buggy whip! The buggy whip industry made a fortune and now I want to collect my fair share!

What's that? Buggy whips are ancient history? All the money was made (and spent)last century? Oh ... nevermind.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"Stallone is keenly aware that having a movie based on true story adds an appeal and he capitalizes on that, but has never given Chuck anything back," Mango said.

Total BS.

Stallone wrote a part into Rocky II for Wepner, but he couldn't show up sober and wouldn't learn his lines.

Stallone also gave him the option of a flat sum or a percentage for Rocky I.

Wepner took the flat sum, and lost out on millions.

I wonder which famous trial lawyer talked him into this?

[WorkingClassFilth]

Since I'm older than Stallone, I'm gonna sue his @ss come Monday morning for breathing the air I've already breathed. Not only that, but that b@st@rd is using my personal language in everyday speech and communication that advances his career. I oughta be able to collect on some of that action, eh?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Yea? Well, my grand uncle invented LSD!! Where MY royalties?! huh?

Wepner was a loser, a punching bag. He must have used up his dough and is looking for more.

[TheBattman]

Where in the Hell has this guy been for 28 years?

That's what I was thinking - had he come forward soon after the original release of the film, or even within the first year or so - I might could understand - but it's been so long.....

[ysoitanly]

I want my royaties from Pez. Now. I was the first to suggest awful candy be dispensed from cheap plastic crap with open mouths at the press of a lever. Sorry, I digress - I was on the school board. Never mind.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You can contact the Real Rock directly by
Phone: (201) 436-0279
FAX: (201) 436-3725
or e-mail: LWepner@aol.com

[Eric in the Ozarks]

As usual. A suit provoked by self-dealing lawyers.

[mass55th]

Aaaddrriiaann!

[smith288]

This guy is a loser. Born to lose. Rocky was a winner. No money.

[Flavius]

I think Stalone should pay all of us back for the fact that there are 4(i think) rocky movies out there.

No one should be subject to that...




2c worth adjusted for inflation at $ 3.50 or 3.86 Euro

[Eastbound]

I found a dead cat in my coke bottle. What's the lawyer's phone number?

[Tall_Texan]

I guess there was no Andre The Giant to wrestle with this time.

[doug from upland]

Oh, I thought it was Barbara Boxer.

[Doc On The Bay]

To "Wepner's Lawyer,"----ESAD!!!!

Doc

[dix]

You old time boxing fans will be familiar with the term "tomato can". That would describe Wepner. The guy was, and it sounds like still is a bum. Get him outta here!