Sylvester Stallone is best known as an action hero, but he has a deep passion for writing. One of his biggest dreams was to make a movie about Edgar Allan Poe, the legendary writer known for his dark and mysterious works. But instead of focusing on Poe’s tragic life, Stallone wanted to highlight his genius and creativity. He even had Robert Downey Jr. in mind for the lead role. However, the project never took off because Stallone wanted to wait until Downey Jr. was “hot again” in Hollywood.
Stallone’s Vision for a Poe Movie
Stallone has written many scripts throughout his career, and one of his most ambitious ideas was a film about Edgar Allan Poe. In an old interview with Roger Ebert, he revealed his plans:
“I want to write for the public. My next movie will be about three brothers in New Jersey. And then there’s one I’m writing about Edgar Allan Poe and his child bride, Virginia.”
Stallone explained that he didn’t want to make a depressing movie about Poe’s struggles. Instead, he wanted to celebrate Poe’s brilliance. “I’ll make it about the genius of Poe, not about the reality,” he said. “Who wants a movie that feels like two hours of sadness?”
Robert Downey Jr. Was the Top Choice
Fast forward to the early 2000s, and Stallone had his eyes on Robert Downey Jr. to play Poe. The two even had dinner to discuss the project. But at that time, Downey Jr.’s career was struggling—this was before his big comeback as Iron Man. Stallone believed the movie needed a big budget and that Downey Jr.’s star power had to rise again before they could get the right funding.
In a 2006 interview, Downey Jr. confirmed the meeting:
“Sly said, ‘We should wait until you’re hot again so we can do this at a big studio. I don’t want to do this cheap.’”
Downey Jr., always known for his humor, joked about the experience. He recalled that Flava Flav, the rapper, came over to their table and asked, “Are you and Flava Flav playing Poe?” Downey Jr. laughed and replied, “Yes, we are. The role is so tough it needs two actors!”
Stallone Never Gave Up on His Dream
Even though the project has been in limbo for decades, Stallone never abandoned his dream. In a recent Instagram video, he revealed that he finally completed the script:
“It may have taken 45 or 50 years, but it’s done.”
Will Stallone’s Poe Movie Ever Happen?
The big question is: Will Stallone’s vision for an Edgar Allan Poe biopic ever come to life? No one knows for sure, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Stallone, it’s that he never gives up. Maybe one day, we’ll finally see his unique take on Poe’s life and work.
Conclusion
Stallone’s dream project shows that he is more than just an action star—he’s a storyteller at heart. While the Poe biopic remains unfinished, there’s always a chance it could happen. And if it does, it might just be the unexpected masterpiece we never knew we needed.
