Sylvester Stallone isn’t the only one in his family making moves in Hollywood. His daughter Sophia Stallone has teamed up with her famous father and Amazon MGM Studios to bring the bestselling young adult romance The Summer of Broken Rules to the big screen, marking another major project for her newly launched production company.
According to Deadline, Sophia’s Common Era Projects and Sylvester’s Balboa Productions are developing the film adaptation of K.L. Walther’s 2021 novel. Sophia will produce alongside her father and D. Matt Geller, with screenwriters Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin handling the script. The writing duo previously worked on Disney’s live-action Mulan and Netflix’s animated film Spellbound.
While Sylvester Stallone built his career playing tough guys, his daughter’s latest project takes the family business in a decidedly different direction.
The Summer of Broken Rules centers on Meredith Fox, a young woman trying to cope with the death of her sister, Claire. Eighteen months after her loss, Meredith returns to her family’s annual vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, where a wedding and a long-standing family tradition offer her an opportunity to reconnect with the people she has kept at a distance.
The tradition is a game of assassin, a favorite of Claire’s. Determined to win in honor of her late sister, Meredith joins the game, but things take an unexpected turn when she teams up with an attractive groomsman and begins developing feelings for him.
The novel became a No. 1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller and has been sold in 19 international territories.
Author Walther, meanwhile, appears excited about the person bringing her story to the big screen.
“It felt like kismet when Sophia and I connected; within ten seconds of speaking with her, it was clear she truly understands the heart of Meredith’s story, and I’m beyond excited and thrilled to see how the team brings it to life!” the author told Deadline.
The adaptation isn’t Sophia’s only producing venture. She recently revealed plans to develop Bourbon & Lies, a television series inspired by Victoria Wilder’s bestselling books, through Callisto Media and Balboa Productions. Earlier this year, her father’s production company also renewed its first-look film and television deal with Amazon MGM.
The collaboration comes as another of Sylvester Stallone’s daughters continues to make her mark in the entertainment industry.
Scarlet Rose Stallone plays Spencer on Paramount+’s Tulsa King, starring alongside her father, who portrays New York mobster Dwight “The General” Manfredi. Scarlet’s role has expanded since the show’s debut, and she has been promoted to series regular for its already-confirmed fifth season.
During a recent interview with Extra, Sylvester jokingly discussed the challenges of working with his daughter, particularly the familiar generational divide that arises when parents try to offer advice to their children.
“You try to pass on wisdom, but I think it’s human nature,” he explained. “It’s like, now it’s different now. And I go, it’s not different. The only thing different is the clothes, maybe some of the dialogue.”
He also hinted at major developments for Scarlet’s character, revealing that Spencer goes “from barista to something wholly other” in Season 4, with further changes expected in Season 5.
Meanwhile, Tulsa King returned for its fourth season on Oct. 16, with production on Season 5 set to move to New York as Dwight reconnects with his Mafia roots.
