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SCMP Reporter

FORGET all that nonsense about Hollywood superstar Sylvester Stallone being a brooding, intimidating and temperamental hulk, not far removed from his famed celluloid characters, Rocky and Rambo.

  Currently in town to promote his soon-to-be-opened celeb-diner, Planet Hollywood, Keeping Posted was yesterday granted a private interview with Sly.

  We had also been invited to join him as he relaxed by disco-ing and playing pool at JJ's, the Grand Hyatt's hip-hot nightclub the previous night.

  Sly came over as being friendly, courteous and quite approachable (even despite the presence of heavies).

   But, best of all, he fielded any question put to him with disarming candour.

  So, for starters, when we enquired of him how it was that his co-partner Arnold Schwarzenegger's mom's ''very own apple strudel'' is on the menu of Planet Hollywood but nothing representing the culinary skills of his own mother, Jackie, is on offer, Sly rocked back on the sofa with laughter.

  ''That's because my mum's food is guaranteed to kill people,'' he declared. ''I can't include any dishes by her because the only food my mother learned to cook was what came wrapped in tin-foil and which you popped into the oven for half-an-hour.''   To ensure the point got across he leaned forward and added with a mischievous glint: ''My mum is the worst cook in the world.''   The April opening of Planet Hollywood in Canton Road (New York, London, Mexico, Aspen and four other US cities preceding us) will mark the restaurant chain's entry into Asia, with co-owner Sly as usual in the thick of things.

  ''I never expected that the concept would become so attached with showbiz,'' he says.

   ''The opening of a new Planet Hollywood is like the opening night of a new movie.

  ''I always thought it would just be a nice business venture, but I had no idea it would capture the imagination of the public like it has.''   For every opening thus far a well oiled publicity machine has ensured that the public's imagination didn't need that much capturing - and Planet Hollywood, Hong Kong, will be no exception.

  Billionaire Singaporean property and hotel tycoon, Ong Beng Seng, who is Sly's partner in the venture in Asia and is here with him, told Keeping Posted that between now and the April opening there would be regular visits from Hollywood stars to help promote the restaurant.

  Among those lined up to come here over the next few weeks spreading the Planet Hollywood message are Steven Segal, Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Melanie Griffith, with more stars to follow for the opening party - film schedules willing.

   We asked Sly whether having him on board does help to attract the support of top Tinseltown names.

  ''I think it helps,'' he admitted.

    ''The way it works in Hollywood is that nobody wants to be the first when it comes to high-profile commercial ventures. But once somebody breaks the ice everybody wants to come on board.''   Getting away from Stallone the restaurateur, what's cooking for Stallone the movie star?   ''I'm starting a film in Miami in about three weeks with Sharon Stone called The Specialist,'' he disclosed.

   ''It will be my first erotic thriller and I think I'll be moving more and more into that line of work in the future.

  ''From chasing bad guys I'll now be chasing bad girls. I mean, I've been doing it all my life - so I might as well start getting paid for it.'' 



Superstar Sly says what's cooking