A Guilty Conscience: Dolph Lundgren Reflects on 'Rocky IV' Incident
The iconic fight scene in 'Rocky IV' left an indelible mark, but it also left Sylvester Stallone with broken ribs.
In a recent interview, Dolph Lundgren opened up about the infamous behind-the-scenes moment from 'Rocky IV.' He confessed to feeling guilty for the accident that occurred during the intense fight sequence, which resulted in Stallone's hospitalization.
But here's where it gets controversial... Lundgren, who portrayed the formidable Ivan Drago, revealed that he was unaware of the extent of Stallone's injuries until after the fact. He shared, "I didn't know it happened. We were both getting hit in that fight." It was only when he returned to L.A. that he learned of Stallone's hospitalization, leaving him feeling responsible.
And this is the part most people miss... Lundgren explained that Stallone, as the boss, directed him to go hard with the body shots, and he complied. He expressed regret, saying, "I don't know if it was my body or exhaustion or my punches, but he did get hurt. I'm sorry about that."
Before becoming the action star we know today, Lundgren's path was quite different. He was a Fulbright Scholar studying engineering at MIT. However, a chance encounter in New York with celebrities like Andy Warhol and Michael Jackson set him on a new course towards Hollywood.
Lundgren's big break came with 'Rocky IV,' and he quickly became an action movie icon. He shared, "One film I went up for was a boxing movie, which turned out to be 'Rocky IV.' I moved to Hollywood, met Sly, and the rest is history."
His favorite role to date, however, was reprising Ivan Drago in 'Creed II.' Lundgren explained, "I got to explore a new side of my character in a father-son dynamic with Adonis Creed. I like that one."
But Lundgren's journey doesn't end with acting. He recently launched his own vodka brand, Hard Cut Vodka, inspired by his engineering background and his connection to Russia and Sweden.
So, what do you think? Is Lundgren's guilt justified, or is it simply part of the risks actors take when portraying intense roles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
