VIDEO: Sylvester Stallone’s Sheffield Bowie knife surprise

Rocky superstar Sylvester Stallone proved a knockout hit with fans when he punched out stories from his legendary Hollywood career at Sheffield City Hall.
Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.
Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.

And the 68-year-old could be about to plug the city of steel in his planned last Rambo film, called Last Blood.

Little Mester Reg Cooper, aged 83, presented the movie icon on stage with a Sheffield Bowie knife he hand made, based on the original design which were mass-produced for export to the US in 1850.

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It helped to inspire the famous Rambo knife design and now Reg, who has been making the knives for 70-years, hopes his city gift may end up in Rambo’s hands on the silver screen.

Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.
Sly Stallone is presented with a new Rambo knife by Reg Cooper. Pic: Glenn Ashley.

Stallone thinks it’s a great idea. He laughed: “Yes, wouldn’t that be something! I’d say, ‘hey, it’s from Sheffield’. We will actually do a plug.”

VIDEO: Press the play button to watch Graham Walker’s video report

Reg, from Dronfield, whose knives are available at www.steelcitycutlery.com, said: “This is the highlight of my career and I’ve been making these since I was 14. To be honest I’m chuffed about it.

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“It would be great to see my knife in his film. At 83 I’ve probably got a bit of stardom. If I’m going to retire, I’m going out on a high. But I intend to go on while I can. I’ve made thousands over the years.

Sly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City Hall arm wrestlingSly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City Hall arm wrestling
Sly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City Hall arm wrestling

“I don’t have 50 on order. But I might after this. To me a knife is a tool though I make a lot of these now just for collectors. It’s piece of history.”

Arriving on stage to a montage of his most famous film clips the City Hall audience lapped up every word of his hour-long interview with broadcaster Mike Read.

Superfans paid up to £200 for a ticket and further £500 for a photo with Stallone backstage - some had flown in for the event from all over the world, including Canada, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and France.

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And they were given their money’s worth with one woman arm-wrestling Sly and a couple having their marriage proposal conducted by the film legend.

Sly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City HallSly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City Hall
Sly Stallone on stage at Sheffield City Hall

Stallone, who last week filmed a new Warburtons bread TV ad near in Castleford, had never visited Sheffield - though the city’s smoke filled skies and towering chimneys back in 1978 doubled as 1930s Cleveland, Ohio, in the opening credits of his film FIST.

He also revealed the fight scene in his new movie Creed will be based in England and said that Rocky IV co-star Dolph Lundgren put him in hospital during the making of the film as the two fought in the ring.

He was brought to the city for his only UK ‘evening with’ appearance by Rocco Buonvino Productions in association with www.wow247.co.uk. The amusing superstar entertained with stories from his life and career before taking 30-minutes of questions from devoted fans, some of whom were reduced to tears by being given the chance to speak to their hero.

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Stallone said his heroes weren’t film stars or sports people but doctors and surgeons. He said: “The guy who saved my daughter’s life just looked like your average guy. That’s a hero to me.”

He confirmed a final Rambo is on the cards but currently he has started filming a Rocky spin-off film, called Creed, reprising his iconic role as the retired world champ, but now mentoring the son of his first opponent, Apollo Creed.

Michael B Jordan, who will also star as The Human Torch next year in The Fantastic Four, will take the title role and Stallone hopes Creed will become a brand new franchise.

Of all his signature roles Rocky is his favourite. He wrote the original script in three days, it was nominated for 10 Oscars and won three, including Best Picture in 1976.

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He may also be back as latest franchise character Barney Ross - leader of the elite mercenaries The Expendables, featuring an all-star cast of action heroes including his former rival now best pal Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Expendables came about from an idea he had prompted by rock and roll revival shows, where several bands featured on the bill.

Promoter Rocco Buonvino, a personal friend, said: “Sly loved his visit and meeting fans from Sheffield, but also from all over the world who had flown in for this. He was thrilled with his Sheffield made knife from Reg. Thanks to the support we intend to bring more Hollywood legends to the region. I want to give special thanks to media associates wow247 and The Star’s own Graham Walker.”

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