Sylvester Stallone’s 2026 Project Surprises Fans: Not Rambo or Rocky

When you think of classic action flicks from the ’90s, it’s hard to go past Sylvester Stallone. Before he became a household name, though, he was just another struggling actor, nearly at the end of his tether, when he penned the script for Rocky. That script changed everything. Recently, Stallone gave fans a peek into his writing journey, sharing a reel on his socials that tracked how his approach to storytelling has evolved over the years.

Stallone’s career has been packed with blockbusters, from the Rambo series to The Expendables and plenty more. He’s always been hands-on with the stories behind these films. Now, he’s gearing up to release a memoir called The Steps—set to be one of his biggest undertakings in 2026.

Stallone’s Reluctant Relationship with Writing

It’s a bit odd to picture Stallone, now a multi-millionaire and one of the most recognisable faces in film, without his breakout role in Rocky back in 1976. The film spawned a string of sequels and even a successful spin-off, Creed. Yet, Stallone himself has admitted he never really saw himself as a writer.

In a recent Instagram post, he showed off a stack of scripts in his office—some that made it to the big screen, others that didn’t. He spoke candidly about how writing has been both a source of pain and triumph for him. Reflecting on his career, he said:

I’m not a born writer, I never was a good writer, but persistence pays off. And eventually, these words led to Rocky.

Despite not feeling like a natural, Stallone poured everything into Rocky. The film went on to win three Oscars, and he’s spoken about how he even isolated himself from the world to get the script done.

What to Expect from The Steps

Stallone’s upcoming memoir, The Steps, is set to hit shelves on 5 May 2026. The book promises to take readers through his creative process, offering insights into how he shaped projects like Rambo and The Expendables. He’ll be sharing the ups and downs, the victories and the setbacks, and the determination that drove him from obscurity to stardom.

The memoir will also delve into the practical steps and mindset shifts that helped him break into Hollywood. Fans can expect a behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of the most memorable action films of the last few decades.

Rocky and Rambo: By the Numbers

For those keen on the stats, here’s a quick rundown of two of Stallone’s most famous films. Rocky, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Stallone alongside Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Carl Weathers, scored 93% and 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and pulled in $117 million at the box office. Rambo: First Blood, directed by Ted Kotcheff, featured Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, and Bill McKinney, earning 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and $125 million in ticket sales.

Both films are currently available to stream on AMC+ in the US. If you’re thinking about picking up Stallone’s memoir, let us know what you reckon in the comments.