By RYAN PEARSON
AP Entertainment Writer
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.
Sylvester Stallone says that despite his “Rambo” image and new shoot-em-up film “Bullet to the Head,” he’s in favor of new national gun control legislation.

Stallone supported the 1994 “Brady bill” that included a now-expired ban on assault weapons, and hopes that ban can be reinstated.

The 66-year-old actor, writer and director said he also hopes for an additional focus on mental health to prevent future mass shootings.

Stallone is now in production on his next project, pairing up with the former “Raging Bull” Robert De Niro for “Grudge Match,” about two aging boxers.

“People think it’s going to be some geezer brawl. Really? OK, they’re in for a surprise. I’m telling you. I’ve been working on the fight, the choreography. He’s taking it deadly serious. Because no one wants to be shown up,” Stallone said of De Niro. “It’s going to be like a `Rocky’ fight. This will be `Rocky 7,’ with me fighting – with Rocky fighting the `Raging Bull.'”

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson: http://twitter.com/ryanwrd