The upcoming Toronto Film Festival is set to close with a bang as Sylvester Stallone‘s highly anticipated documentary “Sly” takes the spotlight. The documentary, directed by Thom Zimny, will premiere on September 17 at Roy Thomson Hall, offering audiences an in-depth look into the Hollywood action icon’s legendary career, from his iconic performances in films like Rocky and Rambo to his contributions in The Expendables franchise. While “Sly” is a Netflix production, it falls outside the purview of the SAG-AFTRA TV and theatrical agreements, allowing Stallone the possibility of attending the premiere and walking the red carpet at the festival. However, his presence is not guaranteed due to ongoing actors’ strike concerns.
The documentary comes at a significant point in Stallone’s career. The Hollywood star has been experiencing a resurgence on television, with his appearance in the Paramount+ dramedy “Tulsa King,” which has been renewed for a second season. Additionally, his family reality show on Paramount+, “The Family Stallone,” recently concluded its first season and has also been greenlit for a second season.
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Directed by Thom Zimny, known for his work on “Springsteen on Broadway,” “Sly” takes audiences on a captivating journey through Stallone’s Hollywood trajectory. The documentary delves into his rise to fame following his breakthrough role in the inspirational underdog film “Rocky.” Stallone’s diverse filmography, which spans action-packed movies like “Demolition Man,” “Cliffhanger,” “Cop Land,” and “Escape Plan,” as well as his more recent performance in “Creed,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2016, will be thoroughly explored.
Coinciding with “Sly,” Netflix also has another documentary series in the works, focusing on Stallone’s friend and former box office rival, Arnold Schwarzenegger, appropriately titled “Arnold.”
As the closing film of the Toronto Film Festival, “Sly” follows in the footsteps of last year’s Daliland, directed by Mary Harron and starring Ben Kingsley as the renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The festival, scheduled to run from September 7 to 17, has already generated buzz with the announcement of Hayao Miyazaki‘s highly anticipated final film, “The Boy and the Heron,” as its opening feature. With “Sly” serving as the grand finale, the Toronto Film Festival promises to celebrate both the past and future of cinema with style and substance.