The idea that Sylvester Stallone might do more Rocky is nothing new. It's a rumor he's been circulating himself for what seems like years. Well, Variety says it's no longer Stallone generated rumor, Rocky VI is for real.

Sylvester will return in the title role of Rocky Balboa for the sixth film. He'll also write and direct, as he did for Rocky II. Left out in the cold is Mr. T, who's been saying for awhile now that he'd be working on another Rocky movie. Instead, Sly is casting real-life former heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. as his opponent, the oddly named Mason Dixon. I guess Stallone hates the South and wants to kick it's ass. Good for him. The rest of the cast will be composed primarily of unknowns.

The story will pick up on Rocky in much the same state Sly's in… aging. As a dramatic bonus, Rocky has also been widowed. He'll be dragged out of retirement for charity, when the current heavyweight champion challenges him to fight a few rounds to benefit orphans or starving wiener dogs or some other such grandiose nonsense. The current champ's manager gets the idea from a computer program, which predicts Rocky can kick the ass of his client.

If Arnold can still pull of Terminator, then why not let Stallone have another shot at Rocky. You'd think after five cracks at the character he'd be sick of him, but with his reality show cancelled I guess the guy doesn't have much better to do. Maybe Robert Rodriguez will make another 'Spy Kids' for him to not be seen by anyone over the age of seven in.

Actually, that's probably a little unfair. Though he hasn't done much since his appearance in Spy Kids 3-D, Sly is already busy working on another project. He'll direct and star in the movie Notorious in 2006, from a script he penned.