Stallone Says He Tried to Buy Back First Blood to Destroy It
Sylvester Stallone told The Graham Norton Show he tried to purchase the original negative of First Blood so he could destroy it, and cut its runtime from 180 to 89 minutes.
Sylvester Stallone said on The Graham Norton Show that he tried to buy back First Blood so he could destroy it, according to movieweb.com. The actor also described how deeply he intervened in the film's editing.
Stallone said his agent threw up when they first saw an early cut of First Blood. He also revealed he was the eleventh actor offered the part of John Rambo.
According to Stallone, he interfered with the editing of First Blood, slashing the runtime from 180 to 89 minutes. He also toned down the violence and changed the film's original ending, which killed off Rambo.
A 1982 Release With a Long Afterlife
First Blood was released on October 22, 1982. Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, John Travolta and Clint Eastwood were considered for or offered the role of John Rambo but declined.
The film grossed $125 million against a $15 million budget and spawned a franchise worth $800 million after four sequels. An upcoming prequel starring Noah Centineo will bring the franchise back to its roots.
Quick answers
What did Sylvester Stallone say about First Blood on The Graham Norton Show?
He said he tried to buy back First Blood so he could destroy it, that his agent threw up seeing an early cut, and that he was the eleventh actor offered the role of John Rambo.
How much did Stallone cut First Blood in editing?
He slashed the runtime from 180 to 89 minutes, toned down the violence and changed the original ending that killed off Rambo.
When was First Blood released?
October 22, 1982. It grossed $125 million against a $15 million budget.