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Rocky Balboa vs. Ivan Drago in Russia

Saga Rocky
Movie Rocky IV Sylvester Stallone (1985)
It's time for the duel between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), the Italian stallion, and Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), the Russian bear. It was one of the most memorable games in the Philadelphia left-hander's career. A great moment of cinema, exhilarating as can be, shot not in Russia but in Canada, in a famous arena in Vancouver.
PNE Agrodome
PNE Agrodome by Arnold C. Wikimedia.

There were two guys… killing each other. But I guess that’s better than twenty million.

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

When he began writing the script for Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone wanted to make a political film. He pits his hero, the former underworld hustler from Philadelphia, against a Russian champion who is said to be indestructible. A way of replaying the Cold War on the screen, which was in everyone’s mind at the time. Rocky IV is also the story of revenge. Ivan Drago having killed Rocky’s best friend, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), during an exhibition match.

Of course, it is important to find the perfect actor to play Ivan Drago. First, Sylvester Stallone is considering giving the role to his rival Arnold Schwarzenegger. More muscular and taller, the Austrian is perfectly suited to the Drago that Sylvester Stallone imagined. Unfortunately, the Terminator is already busy on the set of Commando. His age, 38, is also a problem as the script requires a younger actor. In the end, Sylvester Stallone’s choice fell on the young Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren. Even though he has no experience, despite his anecdotal appearance in the James Bond film A View to a Kill, Dolph Lundgren has the looks for the job. At the same time, the director entrusts the role of Drago’s wife to his companion Brigitte Nielsen, with whom he had a relationship on the set of Cobra.

Sylvester Stallone begins by coaching Dolph Lundgren and develops the barbaric choreography of the final fight. He chose to locate it at the PNE Agrodome in Vancouver and made his ambitions clear from the start. The filmmaker wants a ruthless fight. On several occasions, he asks his impressive partner not to hold back. Unwilling to fake it given his lack of experience, Dolph Lundgren hits hard and ends up sending a jab into Sylvester Stallone’s chest. The power is such that the actor’s heart slams against his rib cage. In shock, the interpreter of Rocky Balboa is rushed to the hospital, knocked out for the count. Nevertheless, like his indefatigable character, he returns to the ring and completes the filming in time.

In 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Sylvester Stallone announces that he has just begun work on an alternate version of Rocky IV. The new montage, entitled Rocky vs. Dragowill be released in the US in November 2021. More dramatic, less political, and stripped of almost all touches of humor, this remixed Rocky IV puts the emphasis on the final fight filmed at the PNE Agrodome.

300.473.716

With its $300,473,716 in worldwide box office receipts, Rocky IV is the highest-grossing episode.

Rocky IV final fight
Rocky IV final fight. All rights reserved: Metro Goldwyn Mayer/United Artists.

PNE Agrodome

Built in 1963, with a capacity of 5000 seats, the PNE Agrodome is one of the most famous arenas in the Vancouver area in Canada.

Traditionally used to host field hockey league games, the PNE Agrodome also hosts NWA All-Star Wrestling and WWE wrestling matches.

Many artists have played there, including The Who, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge, The Mothers of Invention, Ike & Tina Turner and Pink Floyd. In movies, the room has appeared in the credits of Rocky IV, Miracle and Deadpool.

TV shows like MacGyver, Booker and Highlander have also been filmed there over the years. It is also associated with many local sports teams.

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By Gilles Rolland

Friday, December 3, 2021

Passionné de cinéma, de rock and roll, de séries TV et de littérature. Rédacteur de presse et auteur des livres Le Heavy Metal au cinéma, Paroles de fans Guns N' Roses, Paroles de fans Rammstein et Welcome to my Jungle : 100 albums rock et autres anecdotes dépareillées. Adore également voyager à la recherche des lieux les plus emblématiques de la pop culture.

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