Sylvester Stallone admits bearing grudge over 'thug' image
Sylvester Stallone has admitted he still gets worked up over the perception he is just a thuggish actor, with no more strings to his bow.
The Hollywood action veteran - who was nominated twice for Oscars and Baftas for Rocky and has written more than 20 films and directed eight - revealed his frustrations during a 90-minute question and answer session with Jonathan Ross.
"It depends what day of the week it is. Sometimes it doesn't bother me, the next day I'm like, 'Where do they live!'," he told the packed audience at the London Palladium. He joked:
The lack of recognition is not limited to film critics though, even his current Grudge Match co-star Robert De Niro seemed to take a dim view of his abilities.
The two are in reality great friends, as he is with many of his contemporaries.
But it is the British connection in his successful Expendables franchise who Stallone admitted is his current favourite, and he revealed in the third film - due in UK cinemas in August - Jason Statham might finally take a knocking.
Post production on Expendables 3 and painting is filling in the days for the 67-year-old at the moment, but he has left the door open for a return to his iconic roles ... in some form.
"I'd love to do another Rambo, but maybe if he works in Las Vegas," he joked. "Maybe it's run its course."
Stallone is due to have a supporting role in the yet-to-be-produced film Creed, where he will take on the role of a trainer, akin to the character Mickey who trained Rocky in the first three films of that franchise.
:: Grudge Match is in UK cinemas on January 24th.