Original Rocky statue may move to top of steps outside Philadelphia Art Museum

A plan to give one of the iconic “Rocky” statues back to Sylvester Stallone and move the original movie prop to the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum has won “conceptual approval.”

Under the plan, on which the Philadelphia Art Commission voted Wednesday, the original statue commissioned for the 1982 movie “Rocky III” will move from its current position near the bottom of the steps.

In exchange, Mr. Stallone rescinded his request for the original and accepted a replica, which is currently the statue at the top of the steps.

Three commissioners approved the plan at Wednesday’s meeting, while two abstained and one voted against it, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The plan did not get the support of a majority of the commission, but the panel characterized the vote as “conceptual approval,” according to Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI.

The commissioners plan to vote again once they get more information that could assuage concerns about accessibility and logistics.

There are three copies of the 10-foot statue, depicting the titular boxer played by Mr. Stallone lifting his boxing glove-clad hands in the air in triumph, as he did after running up the steps outside the museum in the 1976 movie “Rocky.”

The third statue is displayed inside Philadelphia International Airport and its fate was not affected.

After “strong and heartfelt feedback from the public, Mr. Stallone has graciously decided that we will no longer move forward with the proposed statue swap,” Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer Valerie Gay said at the meeting.

“Far more than a movie prop, the Rocky statue has grown into a cultural touchstone that reflects the values, grit and spirit that define this city,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said in a statement read at the meeting.

Another statue that does not depict Rocky will take the place at the bottom of the steps currently occupied by the original statue, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.