Rocky (and, by extension, Rocky II) tells one of the greatest underdog stories in cinema history. But with audiences clamoring for more of “The Italian Stallion,” how could writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone build upon Rocky Balboa’s story after he has achieved the ultimate goal of claiming the heavyweight championship? The answer lies in the characters themselves.

With 1982’s Rocky III, Stallone ups the personal stakes for the titular hero, while also continuing to follow how the relationships between the core characters evolve. Buoyed by appearances from professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and Mr. T as Rocky’s nemesis, Clubber Lang, as well as a hot soundtrack, the movie perhaps marks the series’ biggest success to date.

Writer Jeannette Miller joins us to discuss how Rocky III continues the series’ character-focused storytelling. We’ll discuss why it switches up the structure of its predecessors, how it mirrors Stallone’s own life and career, and which character relationship might be the series’ best. So start pumping Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and get ready to enter the ring once again.