Sylvester Stallone has decided to let Philadelphia keep the original Rocky statue, ending weeks of speculation over its future.
The bronze figure, created for the 1982 movie and a fixture at the Philadelphia Art Museum steps since 2006, had been slated to return to Stallone, who commissioned it, while a replica would take its place.
The city had planned to install the replica, cast from the same mold by the original artist, permanently atop the museum steps. Officials intended to use $150,000 of taxpayer funds for the installation, ensuring Rocky’s iconic presence for fans and tourists.
Rocky I: The City Fights Back
After strong public feedback, Stallone reversed course. City officials confirmed at a Philadelphia Art Commission meeting that Stallone “graciously decided that we will no longer move forward with the proposed statue swap.”…