Upon its premiere in 1976, “Rocky” didn’t just catapult Sylvester Stallone into stardom as both the lead actor and scriptwriter; it also introduced us to one of the most relatable pop-culture heroes to date. Rocky Balboa’s struggles in the boxing ring mirror the challenges he faces in life, showcasing his resilience against adversity. Despite enduring numerous beatings and setbacks in his fights, the franchise serves as a reminder that success is determined by one’s ability to persevere, even in the face of adversity.
It could be argued that the enduring message of resilience permeates the entire “Rocky” franchise, despite encountering setbacks along the way. While the series currently thrives with the “Creed” saga, there was a time when fans were disheartened following the release of “Rocky V” in 1990. Despite the anticipation fueled by the reunion of “Rocky” director John G. Avildsen with Stallone, the film failed to achieve the expected success, both financially and critically. However, “Rocky V” still boasts memorable moments, such as the climactic brawl between Rocky and his former protégé Tommy Gunn (Tommy Morrison). Ultimately, Rocky emerges victorious, but the original ending would have taken the franchise in a darker direction.
“Rocky V” concludes with a much more optimistic outcome. Rocky triumphs over Tommy in a gritty alley brawl and reconciles with his son, Robert (Sage Stallone). Adding to the lighter tone, Rocky delivers a satisfying punch to a caricature of Don King, played by George Washington Duke (Richard Gant), sending him crashing onto the hood of a car. Overall, it’s a fitting conclusion for Rocky’s journey. This ending stands in stark contrast to Stallone’s original script, as reported by The Independent, where Rocky was intended to meet his demise following the street fight with Tommy.
According to an article from CBS Philly, director Avildsen provided further insight into the proposed ending of “Rocky V.” In this version, Rocky, severely battered from his fight with Tommy, rests his head on Adrian’s lap as they head to the hospital, where he ultimately succumbs to his injuries. Adrian then informs the press of Rocky’s passing, yet she emphasizes that his spirit will endure as long as people believe in themselves. This poignant conclusion reportedly moved Stallone to tears as he penned the scene. While the darker tone of this ending presents a tragic finale for Rocky, it also carries a certain beauty and perhaps a greater sense of realism. It remains uncertain whether this original ending would have resonated more deeply with fans and critics, but it would undeniably have altered the trajectory of subsequent films in the franchise.
Although Avildsen was satisfied with the original ending planned for “Rocky V,” he was compelled to alter it due to studio pressure. The studio deemed Rocky too much of an iconic character to meet his demise. “So we started shooting the movie, and a couple of weeks into the shooting, I get a call from the head of the studio, and they said, ‘Oh, by the way, Rocky’s not going to die,'” the director explained, as reported by CBS Philly. “Batman doesn’t die, Superman, James Bond, these people don’t die.” Avildsen expressed his disapproval of the change, stating that keeping Rocky alive contradicted the essence of “Rocky V.”
Given that Avildsen was compelled to alter the ending of “Rocky V” early in the production process, it’s likely that an alternate ending corresponding to the original script was not filmed. Furthermore, “Rocky V” has never received an official director’s cut release. However, Avildsen did release a workprint version of what he considers his director’s cut of the film online at one point.
According to Total Rocky, this version, released in 2002, features some additional scenes and modifications to Rocky’s fight with Tommy. Notably, the music during the final bout reverts to composer Bill Conti’s familiar score instead of the early ’90s hip-hop mix. Nevertheless, the ending remains consistent with what audiences saw in theaters. With the official release of a director’s cut version of “Rocky IV” in 2021, perhaps the time is ripe for an official release of Avildsen’s cut for “Rocky V.”
Relevant articles:
– The Dark Rocky V Ending We Never Got To See