The story is about a battle against the odds, and some may argue that the chances of its making a good movie are slimmer still, but Sylvester Stallone is getting ready to clamber back in the ring for a fifth Rocky sequel, nearly 30 years after the first film, and 15 since the poorly received Rocky V.

Long-rumoured as a possible project, Production Weekly reports that Stallone, now 59, has confirmed plans to direct and star in Rocky VI, with shooting due to begin in Los Angeles in December.

This time the story will open with Rocky Balboa in the middle of a lonely retirement. In an effort to cheer himself up and keep his hand in, he embarks on a few low-key bouts but becomes a media sensation when he's approached to go head to head with reigning heavyweight champ Mason "The Line" Dixon.

Reports have not so far indicated whether Stallone has written the screenplay himself, but since he did so with the first five films of the franchise this seems likely.

The original Rocky won the 1976 Oscar for best film and saw Stallone nominated for best actor.