A fitting tribute to the man who helped launch the Rockyverse has just been unveiled by writer/director Derek Wayne Johnson. John G Avildsen, who passed away on June 16, 2017, finally gets his due in the feature-length documentary John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs.
Avildsen’s legacy goes beyond Rocky. He also helmed another cultural hit, The Karate Kid, proving he had a rare gift for telling stories about fighters—whether in a Philly gym or a California dojo. This documentary doesn’t just highlight his filmography—it digs deep into the man, his process, and why the greatest underdog stories of all time carry his stamp.
Getting to Know the Unknown Legend
“Rocky and The Karate Kid are my favorite films,” Johnson explains. “Growing up John Avildsen became one of my favorite directors. Other than winning the Oscar for Rocky, I felt John didn’t get the credit he deserved for his contributions to cinema and pop culture. I felt it was time to show the world who the unknown legend is behind their favorite movies.”
“In the five years I got to know him I am most proud that Avildsen became a dear friend and mentor,” Johnson says. “He was as easy going as he was stubborn, and as pleasant as he was difficult. He and I made a great team and each day I was around him I learned something new, whether it be about filmmaking or about myself. We all miss him, dearly.”
How the Documentary Came to Life
Johnson, a hardcore Rocky fan who calls the original film “a masterpiece,” first dreamed up the idea for the documentary back in 2012. Teaming with producer Chris May, he started production in 2014. Three years later—just a month after Avildsen’s passing—the film was ready for release. It hit Chassy.com, iTunes, and other digital platforms on August 1, 2017.
“A journalist wrote about me recently as the ‘Ken Burns of the subject,’” Johnson says. “Man, when I read that, my heart filled with joy.”
Inside Access to Rocky Royalty
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs includes interviews with heavyweights like Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Ralph Macchio, Martin Scorsese, and more. That includes an unforgettable sit-down with Rocky himself.
“It wasn’t hard at all!” Johnson says of working with Stallone. “We thought it would be difficult at first, but the day we called and asked him was the same day he said yes. I’ve worked with him since then, but quite honestly, that first time I interviewed him was the best day I’ve ever had on a film set. Everything went smoothly and nothing went wrong. Sly has been good to my team and I ever since.”
“John was my first teacher,” Stallone reveals in the documentary.
During production, Johnson even got to watch the finished cut of the film with Sly himself at his home. “When the title ‘ROCKY’ scrolled across the screen in big bold letters Sly said, ‘That was a stroke of genius.’ Of course, you will see in the documentary that that was all John Avildsen, and Sly really acknowledges John’s contributions as the unsung hero of Rocky,” Johnson recalls.
From Boxing to Karate: Avildsen’s Signature Style
The parallels between Rocky and The Karate Kid aren’t just thematic. Both feature ordinary guys—Balboa and LaRusso—who rise through mentorship, sweat, and self-discipline. Avildsen had a way of turning raw grit into emotional storytelling. His fight scenes weren’t flashy—they were personal. And his underdog heroes didn’t just fight opponents. They fought life.
Johnson says Carl Weathers was deeply aware of Avildsen’s broader career, even pointing out his work in Save the Tiger (1973). “He speaks at length about how Avildsen did an incredible job directing that movie,” Johnson shares.
Why Avildsen Skipped Rocky II
Despite the success of Rocky, Avildsen didn’t return for Rocky II. Why? According to industry lore and some insight from those close to the project, creative differences and Avildsen’s involvement in other films played a role. Stallone took over directing duties and delivered a strong sequel, but the gritty, vérité style that Avildsen brought to the first film was noticeably toned down.
Back in the Ring for Rocky V
Avildsen returned to direct Rocky V in 1990, trying to bring the franchise back to its grounded roots. After the flag-waving, adrenaline-fueled chaos of Rocky IV, Avildsen and Stallone teamed up again to give Balboa a more human arc. The result? A darker, grittier film with real-world consequences—maybe too real for fans expecting another cold war knockout.
Still, there’s no mistaking the director’s fingerprints on it. The street fight finale. The quiet, emotional beats between Rocky and his son. That was classic Avildsen.
The Death of John Avildsen
John G. Avildsen passed away at age at 81 in June, 2017. Anthony Avildsen, the director’s son, announced to the media that his father had died after a bout with pancreatic cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Sylvester Stallone took to social media to post a tribute to Mr. Avildsen, saying: “I’m sure you will be directing hits in heaven. Thank you – Sly.”
Creed, Frank Stallone & What’s Next
Johnson admits he was skeptical when the Creed series was first announced. But that didn’t last long.
“When I saw the film I was absolutely moved to tears. Ryan Coogler is an exceptional director and he did a fine job,” Johnson says of the original Creed.
“When Sly told me his idea for Creed II I got so excited that I couldn’t sleep that night,” he adds. “So, my hopes are up. Way up!”
Johnson and May didn’t stop at Underdogs. They’re now behind STALLONE: Frank, That Is, a documentary on Sly’s brother Frank Stallone—his music career, personal battles, and place in pop culture. “Another underdog story full of heart and soul and rock-n-roll,” Johnson says.
The Birth of Rocky—Told by Stallone Himself
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic was released in 2020 and stands as one of the most intimate documentaries in the entire franchise. Narrated by Sylvester Stallone, the film offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the original Rocky, featuring rehearsal and production footage shot by John G Avildsen himself. Directed by Derek Wayne Johnson, it was described by him as “unlike any previous documentary on the series.”
“Sly pitched the idea to Chris May and I and we were excited about it from the start,” Johnson said. “Sadly, John Avildsen was not with us anymore to be a part of it, but his treasure trove of behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage from Rocky was thoroughly incorporated and examined.”
The Avildsen documentary is available to stream or purchase across major platforms and remains a must-watch for fans who want to see the original story told through the eyes of the two men who lived it.
