Actually, there have already been five encores for Rocky Balboa and some would argue that's a few too many. But Sylvester Stallone's boxer is climbing back in the ring for one more shot, this time not for a championship but for significance.
The significance of 60, not surprisingly, is preoccupying Stallone himself these days, who told the New York Times that he was tryig to rid himself of the "regrets" he's had in the last 15 years. Being "deemed someone whose message or talent has run its course is a very very tough piece of information to swallow."
"Every generation runs its course, and they are expected to step aside for the next generation," Stallone said. "My peers are going through it right now, and they feel they have much to contribute, but the opportunity is no longer there. They're considered obsolete, and it's just not true. this film is about how we still have something more to say."
It will be interesting to see what Stallone really does have to say. In particular it might have been interesting for Rocky to have a different idea of how to regain significance than climbing back in the ring to get battered again. Despite improvements in the health of older adults, I don't think "exhibition boxer" is going to be particularly popular as an encore career.
--David Bank
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