Sylvester Stallone's career was forged by the success of Rocky, but the Italian Stallion wasn't surprised that audiences loved it.

It's what I call 'The Adrian Factor.'" Stallone invited Shire, 60, to the film's Hollywood premiere Dec. 13, but the widowed actress was reticent, fearing the experience might prove too emotional.

The story of Rocky Balboa is driven by a shocking off-screen loss: The death of his wife Adrian (Talia Shire), who succumbed to cancer in the years between 1990’s Rocky V and the current timeline.