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

When you think of '90s action movies, one name stands out: Sylvester Stallone. Before he became a household name, Stallone was just another struggling actor, desperate for a break. That all changed when he penned the script for Rocky, launching a legendary career. Recently, Stallone took to social media to reflect on his journey as a writer, sharing how his approach to storytelling has evolved over the years.

From Action Icon to Storyteller

Stallone’s career is packed with blockbuster franchises like Rambo and The Expendables. He’s always been hands-on, shaping the stories that made him famous. Now, he’s preparing to open up about his creative process in a new memoir, The Steps, set to be one of his biggest undertakings in 2026.

Despite his reputation, Stallone has never seen himself as a natural writer. It ’s hard to picture the man behind Rocky and the Creed spin-offs doubting his writing skills, but that’s exactly what he’s admitted. In a recent Instagram post, Stallone showed off a stack of scripts—some produced, some not—and talked about the ups and downs of his writing journey. He confessed,

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

Inside Stallone’s Memoir: The Steps

Stallone’s upcoming memoir, The Steps, will dive deep into his decades-long career, revealing the mindset and determination that fueled his rise to stardom. The book promises to explore his experiences working on major projects like Rambo and The Expendables, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at how these stories came to life.

Set for release on May 5, 2026, the memoir will chronicle the challenges and victories that defined Stallone’s path to Hollywood. Readers can expect candid insights into the steps he took to achieve his dreams, from his early days as an unknown actor to his status as a global icon.

Legacy of Rocky and Rambo

Stallone’s impact on cinema is undeniable. Rocky, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Stallone alongside Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Carl Weathers, scored a 93% critics rating and 69% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, earning $117 million at the box office. Rambo: First Blood, directed by Ted Kotcheff and featuring Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, and Bill McKinney, matched that success with an 86% rating from both critics and audiences, and a $125 million box office haul.

Both films remain available to stream on AMC+ in the US, continuing to inspire new generations of fans. As Stallone prepares to share his story in The Steps, audiences are eager to see a different side of the action legend.