Hogan had previously played Thunderlips in Rocky III which would eventually map out a familiar trajectory : from wrestling vehicle to action vehicle to zany family comedy .
Rocky III is a high - water mark in a short - lived period of semi-ironic muscle - hunk superstardom .
Hogan had previously played Thunderlips in Rocky III , a high - water mark in a short - lived period of semi-ironic muscle - hunk superstardom , which would eventually map out a familiar trajectory : from wrestling vehicle to action vehicle to zany family comedy .