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Sylvester Stallone first stepped into acting with a Western production titled “Horses,” which unfortunately never saw the light of day. Interestingly, the trajectory of Stallone’s career mirrored that of his iconic Rocky films in various aspects, such as his struggle to break through and the transformative effects of sudden fame on his life. Before the release of the original Rocky, Stallone had roles in films like “Death Race 2000” and “The Lords of Flatbush.” However, Stallone frequently recalls the hardships he faced during his early years in the industry. During this period, one of his closest friends was director John Herzfeld, whom he met at the University of Miami.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the creative bond between Sylvester Stallone and Ezra Miller’s character over the years. In some iconic action films, Miller played sidekick to Stallone, like in the timeless classic “Cobra.” Moreover, he directed Stallone in “Reach Me” and “The Extractors: Escape Plan.” Beyond directing him, Miller also helmed several documentaries chronicling Stallone’s work, such as “The Making of ‘Rocky vs. Drago’,” detailing the production of Stallone’s director’s cut for “Rocky IV.” Interestingly enough, in a unique project with a minimal budget, Miller not only co-starred alongside Stallone but also directed him in a Western titled “Horses.” This unconventional western story revolves around a cowboy (Stallone) and a Native American (Miller), who miraculously rise from their graves a century after they were executed.

Stallone Made His Film Debut In The Unreleased Western Horses

Don’t expect to see Horses anytime soon

In a post on Instagram, Stallone revealed that he and Herzfeld collaborated to produce the silent film “Horses” with a budget of $1100. The exact shooting dates are uncertain, but it seems it was filmed somewhere between 1969 and 1971. Despite an abundance of footage being taken, the film unfortunately remained unfinished.

In the Netflix documentary titled “Sly,” fragments of the Western genre are noticeable. Although the reason behind the uncompleted status of the movie “Horses” remains unexplained, it’s likely that neither major nor independent distributors found appeal in a low-budget, grainy silent film. Stallone’s brother Frank echoes this sentiment in the documentary, hinting at this as the possible cause for its abandonment. Furthermore, it’s unclear if “Horses” was intended to be a full-length feature or a short film.

As a cinephile, I’ve often found that esteemed directors have early, self-funded projects they prefer to keep tucked away; Quentin Tarantino’s “My Best Friend’s Birthday,” for example, remained unfinished after he grew disenchanted with its quality. From Sylvester Stallone’s description of “Horses” as a “terrible epic,” it seems he agrees that this film might be better off never seen by the public. Given my fascination with Westerns, I can’t help but lament that such an opportunity to witness Stallone in a genuine Western role has been lost.

It’s Bizarre That Sylvester Stallone Has Never Starred In A Western

No, Rambo: Last Blood doesn’t count

Apart from his acting roles, Stallone has ventured into a variety of film genres, ranging from intense slasher flicks like “D-Tox” to lighthearted comedies such as “Oscar.” Given his proficiency in mythology and storytelling, it seems unusual that he’s never starred in a Western, often referred to as an “Oater.” The film “Horses” suggests this genre might appeal to him, but it appears that during the peak of his career, Stallone wasn’t associated with any Western productions. While several of his movies carry Western themes, like “Copland,” where he played a small-town sheriff dealing with corrupt cops, leading to a climactic gunfight at the end.

In the film “Rambo: Last Blood“, there are distinct Western themes; a significant portion takes place on Rambo’s family ranch, and Stallone’s character frequently rides horses. Moreover, he seeks justice after his family is harmed. However, it’s worth noting that Western genre was scarcely present during Sly’s rise to fame, making Western films rare during his most successful years. Yet, it would be thrilling to witness him in a genuine Old West production.

For the moment, Sylvester Stallone doesn’t seem to be involved in any Western-themed productions. Perhaps, moved by nostalgia, he might decide to share his unfinished film “Horses” with fans, offering a glimpse at his early career and debut performance.

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2025-06-06 17:07

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