For the audience, he is the one who brings to mind the wonderful stories of Rocky and Rambo. Just like that, Sly became one of the major inventors of the 80s and 90s action movies, who at the same time turned his career around with a phenomenal idea: the script of Rocky. But his overall career did not always move in the same positive direction; it included numerous instances of his rejection of parts that could potentially change the whole Hollywood scenario.
One of the first examples that we think about is the main part in the action-comedy film Beverly Hills Cop. The role of Axel Foley eventually went to Eddie Murphy, who indeed added his giant charm to it, and thus, the whole series of the film got its success and still lives. Another very main role that Sly said no to was the part of John McClane in Die Hard; Hilligan, the most talked-about action movie in recent weeks, saw Bruce Willis as the character of the losing hero.
Roles that were suggested to Sly and that he turned down included two where he almost got the part with the assistance of Tarantino's management. There was a spot for the famous Hollywood face in Jackie Brown and Grindhouse, which are two of the most adored films of the iconic Pulp Fiction director. On these occasions, Sly turned down the offer, saying he did not want to play a woman-hating serial killer. Kurt Russell was the one who got the part of Stuntman Mike in Grindhouse... and we all know how that went.
In summary, an acting career can be very lucrative and at the same time, there will always be gloomy "what ifs?" that could have altered the path of action movies. It is hard to tell what would have been the outcome if Sly had taken these roles, but one thing is sure: there will always be the longing for not having him in some high-profile productions.