DINH DOONG

In a move that shocked the entertainment industry, Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone has turned down a $2 billion offer from Disney, choosing instead to walk away from what could have been one of the biggest paydays of his career. Stallone, famous for his no-nonsense, tough-guy persona both on and off-screen, reportedly cited Disney’s increasing emphasis on “wokeness” as the primary reason for his decision.

“No chance I’ll work with them again. I don’t need that wokeness in my life,” Stallone allegedly told a group of his closest confidants, all former 1980s action stars, during a casual lunch meeting at his favorite steakhouse. Eyewitnesses say the actor appeared visibly irritated as he waved away the offer, choosing to finish his rare steak instead of entertaining the idea of working with the studio again.

The project Stallone rejected was rumored to be the next installment in Disney’s expanding cinematic universe, tentatively titled Hero of the Stars. The film was set to feature Stallone as a grizzled space veteran who must lead a team of diverse, multicultural intergalactic warriors on a quest to recover an ancient relic that holds the power to unite—or divide—the galaxy. Think Guardians of the Galaxy meets Rocky, with a sprinkle of social commentary about environmental conservation and the importance of recycling space debris.

Disney insiders had high hopes for the film, especially with Stallone’s name attached. The actor’s iconic roles in Rambo and Rocky have cemented him as the face of gritty, hard-nosed action for generations. However, despite the project’s potential for box office success, Stallone remained unimpressed by Disney’s increasingly progressive approach to storytelling.

“I’m all for saving the world, don’t get me wrong,” Stallone was overheard telling his barber in between sets of bicep curls at his local gym. “But when I heard they wanted my character to lead a group of vegan warriors who stop an evil empire from turning space cows into leather boots, I knew it wasn’t for me.”

According to sources close to the actor, the script was packed with themes that Stallone just couldn’t get behind. The film’s villains were reportedly a group of capitalistic space tycoons intent on colonizing a planet inhabited by peaceful, non-binary aliens. Stallone’s character, originally written as a classic lone-wolf action hero, was later reimagined to be more “sensitive” and “emotionally in touch” with the struggles of his intergalactic teammates.

“Look, I’ve fought communists, terrorists, even rogue boxers,” Stallone allegedly said during a high-stakes poker game with fellow aging action stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. “But I draw the line at giving motivational speeches about inclusivity and empathy to a bunch of CGI aliens.”

One of the more controversial changes to the script, according to insiders, was the introduction of a sentient asteroid that serves as the team’s emotional support entity. The asteroid, named “Pebble,” was meant to guide Stallone’s character through a journey of self-discovery, promoting themes of self-care and emotional vulnerability.

Stallone reportedly balked at the idea. “I don’t need a talking rock telling me how to feel,” he allegedly said to a close friend. “I’ve got enough emotions on my own, trust me.”

Stallone’s rejection of the project is being hailed as the latest battle in Hollywood’s ongoing culture war. Over the past few years, Disney has been at the forefront of pushing more inclusive narratives in its films, often drawing criticism from more conservative actors and audiences who feel the studio has sacrificed entertainment in favor of political messaging.

To some, Stallone’s decision represents a stand against the “wokeification” of Hollywood. “Sly’s a man of principle,” said Jack Hammer, president of the Action Heroes of America Fan Club, during an impromptu rally held outside Stallone’s Beverly Hills mansion. “We just want explosions, bad guys getting punched, and heroes walking away from explosions without looking back. None of this touchy-feely stuff.”

On social media, the actor’s stance has been met with a mixed response. Hashtags like #StandWithStallone and #NoMoreWokeMovies began trending almost immediately after news of his decision broke, with supporters praising him for staying true to his roots.

One Twitter user wrote, “Finally! A real action star who refuses to let Hollywood ruin what made movies great in the first place: muscle-bound heroes solving everything with their fists.”

However, not everyone is on board. Critics of Stallone’s move argue that his rejection of the project is emblematic of a refusal to adapt to modern times.

“Stallone is stuck in the past,” tweeted one film critic. “It’s 2024. Audiences want more than just explosions and grunts. We want stories that reflect the world we live in.”

Disney, for its part, has remained relatively silent in the wake of Stallone’s rejection. A spokesperson for the company issued a brief statement: “We respect Mr. Stallone’s decision and wish him the best in his future endeavors. We remain committed to telling stories that resonate with audiences of all backgrounds and beliefs.”

Rumors are now swirling that Disney is scrambling to find a replacement for Stallone in Hero of the Stars, with names like Vin Diesel and Chris Pratt being floated as potential candidates. Both actors have experience in space-faring franchises, but it remains to be seen if either will be willing to step into the role vacated by Stallone, especially given the project’s controversial themes.

So, what’s next for the legendary action star? According to sources close to Stallone, he’s already plotting his next big move—one that’s far removed from the “woke” messaging of modern Hollywood.

There are whispers that Stallone is developing his own film franchise, one that harkens back to the glory days of ‘80s action. Tentatively titled Steel Resolve, the series will reportedly feature Stallone as a retired military officer who’s forced back into action after his small town is overrun by a group of overly sensitive, politically correct villains who ban fireworks and outlaw steak.

“I’m going back to basics,” Stallone allegedly told an unnamed screenwriter during a Zoom call. “No more nonsense. Just action. Explosions. And good old-fashioned American values.”

Naturally, the internet has wasted no time turning Stallone’s latest move into meme fodder. One particularly viral image shows a version of Rambo in a rainbow-colored bandana, captioned: “Sly’s worst nightmare.” Another popular meme depicts Stallone giving a thumbs-down to Disney’s logo, with the caption: “Even Rocky won’t fight woke.”

While the future of Hero of the Stars may be uncertain, one thing is for sure: Sylvester Stallone’s refusal to bow to Disney’s demands has solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s last-standing action heroes who simply won’t go gently into that woke night.

In the end, Stallone’s decision to walk away from Disney may cost him $2 billion, but for the action star, no amount of money is worth sacrificing what he stands for.

And as he rides off into the sunset—no talking asteroid in sight—it’s clear that Stallone isn’t just rejecting wokeness. He’s rejecting a Hollywood that’s changed too much for his liking.