The incredible true story behind one of cinema’s most iconic sports films is coming to the big screen, with I Play Rocky offering a closer look at Sylvester Stallone’s determination to bring Rocky to life.
Directed by Peter Farrelly (Green Book), the upcoming biographical drama explores Stallone’s early struggles as an aspiring actor and screenwriter, long before he became one of Hollywood’s most recognisable action stars.
Anthony Ippolito, known for portraying a young Al Pacino in the Paramount+ series The Offer, takes on the challenging role of Stallone. The newly released trailer showcases his transformation into the future Hollywood icon, capturing the distinctive appearance and mannerisms of the actor during his early years.
The Story Behind the Making of
Rocky
Set during a period when Stallone was struggling to establish himself in the entertainment industry, I Play Rocky follows his fight to turn an ambitious screenplay into a major motion picture.
Despite facing repeated rejection, financial difficulties and doubts about his potential as a leading man, Stallone refused to abandon his vision. His determination to play Rocky Balboa became central to his battle to get the project off the ground, even when Hollywood offered him substantial money to sell the script without starring in the film himself.
The trailer highlights the sacrifices Stallone made along the way, including the financial hardships that forced him to sell his beloved dog. Inspired in part by underdog boxer Chuck Wepner’s unexpected 1975 fight against Muhammad Ali, Stallone developed the story that would eventually become a defining moment in his career.
His persistence ultimately paid off. Released in 1976, Rocky became a global success, earned widespread acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, launching a franchise that would leave a lasting mark on popular culture.
Rather than simply revisiting the familiar boxing story, I Play Rocky shifts the spotlight to the man who fought to tell it, exploring the personal struggles and unwavering self-belief behind the film’s creation.
Cast and Release Date
Alongside Ippolito, the film features AnnaSophia Robb as Sasha Czack, Stallone’s first wife, and Stephan James as Carl Weathers, who famously portrayed Apollo Creed in the original Rocky. The supporting cast also includes Matt Dillon, Toby Kebbell, P.J. Byrne, Tracy Letts and Jay Duplass.
Written by Peter Gamble, I Play Rocky is produced by Farrelly, Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha, with Amazon MGM Studios behind the project.
The film is scheduled to arrive in select US theatres on November 6, 2026, ahead of its wider release later that month, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the original Rocky. With a story rooted in perseverance, creative ambition and the courage to take a chance on yourself, I Play Rocky aims to revisit the extraordinary journey behind a cinematic classic — and the determined actor who refused to let Hollywood decide his future.
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