Sylvester Stallone took to Instagram to share the release date of Rocky IV Director’s Cut with a brand new ’80s style poster. Stallone previously revealed that the Director’s Cut would take place in Philadelphia, Rocky’s home city and be titled Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut. Now, we know it is coming out November 11, 2021.
The poster, made by artist John Rivoli, has a ’80s retro-type boxing-advertisement feel to it. In the poster, Rocky is about to strike a body shot against Drago, a nostalgic reminder of the epic battle finale in Rocky IV.
Wonderful pre poster Done by John Rivoli. ROCKY VS DRAGO Is Coming your way November 11th. Keep punching. @mgmstudios @john_rivoli
Instagram Post Caption
The Director’s Cut was announced last July, also via Stallone’s Instagram account. The iconic Rocky films follow the boxing career of Rocky Balboa, one of Stallone’s most popular characters to date. The first film came out in 1976 and won three Oscars in 1977.
Rocky IV is considered to be one of the stronger sequels and centers the feud between Rocky Balboa and Ivan Drago. The new cut will eliminate silly scenes such as Paulie’s robot, and include deleted scenes like extra footage of Apollo and Drago’s fight.
The Hollywood Reporter reported in April that Stallone won’t be returning for Creed III. Creed is the Rocky spin-off series, starring Michael B. Jordon. The previous two films had Stallone’s Rocky being a guiding figure for Apollo Creed’s son Adonis Johnson.
Earlier in June, Stallone released another similar poster confirming the movie will have a theatrical run starting November 11.
It’s still uncertain on which streaming service the new cut would make its debut following the theatrical run. Even though Amazon recently purchased MGM, the franchise films are currently available on HBO Max as well, due to prior distribution deals.
Rocky 4 Director’s Cut premieres in theatres on November 11, 2021.
| Cast | Character |
| Sylvester Stallone | Rocky Balboa |
| Talia Shire | Adrian |
| Burt Young | Paulie |
| Carl Weathers | Apollo Creed |
| Brigitte Nielsen | Ludmilla |
| Tony Burton | Duke |
| Michael Pataki | Nicoli Koloff |
| Dolph Lundgren | Ivan Drago |
About Rocky IV
Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports drama film written, directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Burt Young, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Tony Burton, Brigitte Nielsen and Michael Pataki.
Rocky IV was the highest-grossing sports movie for 24 years, before it was overtaken by The Blind Side. It is the sequel to the 1982 film Rocky III and it is the fourth and most financially successful installment in the Rocky franchise.
In the film, the Soviet Union and its top boxer make an entrance into professional boxing with their best athlete Ivan Drago, who initially wants to take on world champion Rocky Balboa. Rocky’s best friend Apollo Creed decides to fight him instead but is fatally beaten in the ring. Enraged, Rocky decides to fight Drago in the Soviet Union to avenge the death of his friend and defend the honor of his country.
No Comments on Sly Stallone Confirms ‘Rocky 4 Director’s Cut’ to Premiere Nov 11