A 27 Mar 1983 LAHExam article stated that Sylvester Stallone would forego a salary on Rocky IV in exchange for a 50 percent share of the gross from film rentals after MGM/UA recouped its negative cost.
       To cast the ferocious Russian boxer in the film, Stallone scoured the globe and considered 8,000 applicants before choosing Swedish-born Dolph Lundgren, 26. The 6-foot-6 Lundgren was a former European kickboxing champion and a first-degree black belt in karate.
       A 14 Jun 1985 LAT article noted that to build momentum for Rocky IV, executives at MGM/UA released a 90-second trailer, which screened during the summer when crowds went to see Rambo: First Blood Part II, six months before the film’s release. In the same article it was noted that the National Screen Service had 3,707 Rocky IV trailers currently being shown in the U.S. and Canada, setting a new industry record. The previous record belonged to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
       On 12 Mar 1985 HR reported that Rocky IV would begin principal photography on 18 Mar 1985, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The snowy location served as a secluded Russian town where Rocky trains for his fight with the Soviet Union’s champion boxer.
       A Feb 1986 AmCin article reported that night temperatures dipped to 10 degrees below zero when the winter training sequences were filmed. Stallone was filmed running up a frozen mountain at the 11,000-foot altitude with heaters on the cameras, while the crew filmed in a helicopter above.
       A 1 May 1985 column in DV stated that the Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, was the site for a Russian fight arena for the film. Filming started 30 Apr 1985, for the final fight between Stallone and Dolph Lundgren. Producer Irwin Winkler noted that Stallone always filmed his grand finale fight first. For the eight-day shoot, locals wore dark clothes to look Russian.
       On 7 Oct 1985 Newsweek reported that the production shut down for several days when Stallone had to be hospitalized after taking a particularly rough Lundgren punch during filming.
       In Feb 1986, AmCin reported that the Apollo Creed fight was filmed in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel.
       A 8 Jun 1985 Screen International article reported that after two weeks of filming in Vancouver, the production resumed filming on MGM/UA’s Culver City studio sound stages and locations in the LA area for five weeks under the direction of writer and star Stallone.
       MGM/UA’s 1985 marketing kit in 1985 announced that the company had agreed to partner in two strategies with Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream stores. In and around the time the movie was in theaters, local branch stores throughout America would feature Rocky Road IV with chunks of chocolate, marshmallow and nuts, as its Flavor-of-the-Month. Once in the store for the flavor, moviegoers would also have a chance to enter a special sweepstakes to win free movie passes.
       On 5 Dec 1985, a trade ad in the HR stated that Rocky IV opened to the biggest Christmas season gross in motion picture history: $ 31,770,107.
       On 23 Dec 1985 DV reported that Rocky IV played on a record 2,232 screens in the U.S. and Canada, expanding from 1,333 screens. This was the widest distribution of any film in history to the time.
       A 5 Nov 1986 LAHExam article reported a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by screenwriter Tim Anderson in which he claimed he first pitched the idea of the Cold War bout to MGM board member Art Linkletter, giving him access to MGM executive Freddie Fields, and leading to a meeting in 1983 with MGM Vice President Dean Stolber and Stallone. The pitch stalled when Anderson met with then studio chief Frank Yablans, who was noncommittal. The studio returned Anderson’s script without making an offer. Anderson claimed $5 million in general damages and $100 million in punitive damages, according to his attorney, James Pagliuso. In addition to Stallone, Fields, Stolber and Yablans were all named as defendants in the suit.
       On 18 Jun 1986, a trade ad in DV announced that the total worldwide box office for Rocky IV passed $252,000,000 on June 15, 1986.
       In a 28 Dec 1987 LAT article, Rocky IV came in fifth place with $19,991,537 as one of the top opening weekend box office grosses in film history.
       A 20 Jan 1991 Parade magazine article stated that Rocky IV was budgeted at $34 million and had brought in revenues of $278 million worldwide so far.

             The following thanks appeared at the end of Rocky IV: "Sincere appreciation to the camera assistants from the Western District of I.A.T.S.E. Local 667, Vancouver, British Columbia;" "Special thanks to: Tony Papa and Casey Young;" "Special thanks to: Diane Neufield of The British Columbia Film Promotion Office, State of Nevada Motion Picture Division, Richard H. Bryan, Governor; Yamaha, Telex Communications, Ricoh Cameras, Rabena Belts and Wallets, T.W.A., Quinton Instrument Co., Baskin-Robbins, NEC Cellular Phone, Izod, Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Company, Duofold, Cybex Fitness Equipment, Biocycle, USA Cable Network, Bvlgari, York Barbell, Huffy Bicycles, Sweaters by Jhane Barnes, Tumi Luggage, Clothing & Sportswear by Hugo Boss, Tomy Corporation, Stroh Brewery Company, Inc., Breco's Leathers, Church's Fried Chicken,Inc., Knudsen Corporation, Sony Digital Compact Disc, Adidas USA, Tuf-Wear Mfg. Co., Inc., Professional Video Division, JVC Company of America, Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A., Versaclimber by Heart Rate, Inc., Diamonds on Rodeo of Beverly Hills, California; Reference to Sports Illustrated cover used with permission of Time Incorporated; Associated Film Promotions, Robert H. Kovoloff, Product placement by Lee Faulkner;" "This film is dedicated to the enduring memory of Jane Oliver."