Sylvester Stallone Calls Out His Own Movie: “That Really Bothered Me a Great Deal”

Sylvester Stallone’s journey from struggling actor to Hollywood legend is one of the most remarkable success stories in cinema. Rising to fame with Rocky, a film that embodies the American dream, Stallone carved out a career defined by grit, resilience, and iconic roles like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. Yet even the most celebrated careers have their blemishes, and Stallone recently didn’t shy away from calling out one of his own films.

At a 2008 press conference promoting Rambo, Stallone stunned fans by reflecting candidly on his 1995 adaptation of Judge Dredd. “The biggest mistake I ever made was with the sloppy handling of Judge Dredd,” he admitted, revealing a rare moment of self-critique from the action star.

Judge Dredd—directed by Danny Cannon and based on the cult British comic—cast Stallone as a futuristic law enforcer with the power to deliver justice instantly. While the film embraced the bombastic action style of the ’90s, it never quite captured the dark, nihilistic tone the character deserved. Stallone explained, “It could have been a fantastic, nihilistic, interesting vision of the future—judge, jury and executioner. That [film] really bothered me a great deal.”

He went on to criticize the film’s reliance on pop culture references that now date the movie and detract from the timelessness of the Judge Dredd character. “With all the pop culture, that really bothered me a great deal. I thought it was a fantastic concept, but somebody has to take the fall when things don’t work—and because I was the most recognizable, highest profile.”

The 2012 reboot, Dredd, directed by Pete Travis and starring Karl Urban, offered a grittier, more faithful take that resonated with fans and critics alike. Known for its intense violence and stylish cinematography, the film has become a cult favorite, with fans eagerly awaiting a sequel.

Stallone’s honest reflection highlights the complexities behind filmmaking, where even stars at the peak of their careers face creative disappointments. While Judge Dredd (1995) may not have fulfilled its potential, Stallone’s legendary career continues to shine—built on a foundation of ambition, hard work, and the courage to acknowledge missteps along the way.