Rocky Gets The Green Light
United Artists picked up the script, but with the idea that it would be a great vehicle for more established actors like Robert Redford, Burt Reynolds, or James Caan. Stallone convinced producers Chartoff and Winkler to give him the chance to star in the film. Stallone also knew the film would be green lit by the studio with him in the lead if the film’s budget was kept low enough. He would have never forgiven himself if the film became successful with another actor in the lead. 
Rocky ended up being made on a budget less than $1 million dollars, and had major problems with casting other important and vital characters in the script such as Adrian and Apollo Creed, whom was largely based on legendary boxing champion, Muhammad Ali.