The Importance of Saying No

 9/25/2026

 

Sylvester Stallone Wrote the Script. He Wasn’t Letting Anyone Else Play Rocky.

The actor and filmmaker was dirt broke when he turned down life-changing money for the movie he wrote. He recounts betting on himself in his new memoir, ‘The Steps.’

Arnold in his book  'be useful' tells of saying no to achieve his dream of starring in movies.  Here Stallone relates the same story. He had a studio buyer for his script, but he wanted to play the character. Again and again he turned down script offers, against the advice of his lawyer.  Finally he got what he wanted, the rest is Rocky history. 

 This essay is adapted from Sylvester Stallone’s new book, “The Steps: A Memoir,” to be published on September 29, 2026, by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins Publishers (which, like The Wall Street Journal, is owned by News Corp).

 

Why? Why?! This was totally insane. What was it about this simple little story about regular people looking for respect and a bit of love that got serious businesspeople to make incredible offers to a “nobody” like me? 

Everyone waited for my decision in silence. I could almost hear their breathing and their watches ticking. “I have to play Rocky,” I said, and walked out of the room. 

When I was young, I always wanted to be hugged by my parents. Just once. Sadly, I couldn’t seem to do anything to make that happen. I realized at some point that there was nothing I was ever going to do that would make them love me. But if I could achieve something impossible, maybe that would make them proud. 

I took the long way out and walked slowly past the studio parking lot, out the front gate, and down the street, to where my junker was double-parked in front of the funeral parlor. My stomach was in knots.

On the long, twisting drive home, I was so exhausted by the turbulent conversation going on in my head. I pulled into the driveway of my little rental house and sat behind the wheel in silence. Eventually, I went inside. I got a glass of water, then the phone rang.

“Hello?” I said.

It was Herbie. 

“What’s wrong?”

“You sitting down?

“It’s over, isn’t it?” I said.

“No … YOU CAN PLAY ROCKY!”

I dropped the phone, dropped to my knees and cried.