I think there's a kind of built-in arrogance to anyone who considers themself an artist. They want to feel as though like they can run the whole spectrum. "I can do it all. I can do minimalism, and I can do classical art." Well, that's not true.
People asked if I could have played the Terminator. Are you kidding? Not a chance, I never could have played the Terminator.
Now it really is, believe it or not, 90% of the films are green lit, not by the studio heads, but by the marketing department.
The action movies changed radically when it became possible to Velcro your muscles on. It was the beginning of a new era. The visual took over. The special effects became more important than the single person. That was the beginning of the end.
I was on cruise control from '85 to '95, and it was my fault. There were a lot of self-inflicted wounds, when I was not doing any original material. I wasn't directing. I wasn't writing. That's not who I am.
That's the hardest thing about doing sequels - you've lost the element of surprise.
I have all kinds of chest injuries; I tore my vein during 'Rocky II' and had 60 stitches. If you've seen 'Rocky Balboa,' you'll know how bad they look.
I've done my "mind over matter" movies, and I think probably that people aren't really interested in seeing me do that anymore. I think I'm kind of past my prime to do dramatic films. I think it'd become kind of like almost a pathetic cry out to be recognized as a serious drama actor.
If I'd succeeded right away at acting I wouldn't have sought out writing.
I do believe that American should deal from strength.
I used to tweet, but it's an act of futility. You're not really making any impact, and if you find yourself in a mood when you wanna be a bit controversial and you post something, you suddenly realise, 'Oh my God!' because you've opened yourself up to a bunch of criticism from strangers.
The biggest and most interesting crisis in the world is the human crisis, and it never gets boring. It goes back to Shakespeare. You don't need a gimmick; it's just man against man and their intolerance of each other.
You cannot train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity and about what the church is: The church is the gym of the soul.
I love art more than anything in the world except for my family.
The character of Rocky was built on the idea that he was chosen to do something. That's why the first image in Rocky is the picture of Christ.
Polo is like tennis - you literally have to live it.
The men in Vietnam weren't allowed to fight the war with any kind of concern to win by the government. It was like a war of attrition.
Sometimes when I don't want to cry, I cry. And when I want to I can't. It's subconscious. Like sexual performance.
You know you've been around when they start to remake your own movies when you're still alive.
If you think people are inherently good, you get rid of the police for 24 hours - see what happens.
With writing, I think you have to be honest with yourself. I have a certain kind of writing; that is, I like to really embellish the human spirit. You have to write about something you have a feel for.
Rocky is a very predictable movie. The ending is a foregone conclusion.
Rocky would definitely run for councilman. Maybe mayor. But these people are actually most effective in the family unit. That's where they shine.
I never quite understood these actors - though I envy them sometimes - who can lie out for a year or two. I feel as though time is a real pressing issue, and I want to get as much work done in the time that I have left.
Usually whenever you're scared of something, do it. If you're not afraid of it, don't do it.
