At 76 years old, Sylvester Stallone reflects on his role in the movie "Samaritan" available on Prime Video, where he portrays a superhero working as a garbage man, having forsaken his powers.
Despite the character's phenomenal past, Stallone emphasizes the narrative's departure from distant galaxies and parallel universes, grounding the story on the streets of a recognizable world. The protagonist, a solitary garbage man who fixes discarded items but not himself, finds his anonymity shattered when a young boy insists on revealing his heroic history.
Stallone acknowledges the humor in the character's aging and the positive aspects of growing up. Contrary to his younger years, he expresses a preference for acting at his current age, citing the wisdom gained through experience. Drawing from his diverse pre-Hollywood work history, including jobs as a doorman and bartender, Stallone highlights the invaluable lessons learned from these experiences. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a connection with younger generations to avoid becoming overly cynical, finding such interactions stimulating.
In the film, Pilou Asbæk plays the antagonist who coaxes Stallone's character out of retirement. Stallone commends Asbæk's portrayal of a villain, acknowledging the greater complexity of playing a convincing antagonist. Reflecting on his iconic roles, Stallone addresses the inevitability of representing his age on screen and the strength derived from embracing one's past.
Returning to the action genre, Stallone shares his fascination with films that transcend language barriers, citing "Rambo" as an example where the story remains accessible even without sound. He credits this genre classification for its global appeal and recognizes its importance in storytelling.
Stallone reveals his secret to success, emphasizing the relatability of characters in films like "Rocky" and "Samaritan." Despite initial skepticism about the feasibility of these projects, Stallone's conviction in the universal identification with characters' vulnerabilities proves crucial. "Samaritan," in particular, explores themes of redemption and second chances, reminding audiences that it's never too late to return to one's true self, armed with the wisdom gained from past experiences.
