Anthony Ippolito Becomes Sylvester Stallone in First Look at ‘I Play Rocky’

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The first images from I Play Rocky are out, revealing Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone.

This movie reveals the incredible story of how the original Rocky was made, showing the challenges and perseverance it took to create the beloved 1976 film.

I just finished watching a really compelling biographical drama, and let me tell you, it’s a fascinating look behind the scenes of how Rocky came to be. The film dives into the total chaos of the production and how Sylvester Stallone relentlessly fought to get his vision on the screen. Nicholas Ippolito, who you might recognize from The Offer, gives a fantastic performance as Stallone himself, really capturing his drive and determination.

The movie features Stephan James as Carl Weathers, AnnaSophia Robb as Sylvester Stallone’s first wife, Sasha Czack, Matt Dillon as Stallone’s father, Frank Stallone Sr., P.J. Byrne as producer Irwin Winkler, Toby Kebbell as Robert Chartoff, Tracy Letts as Sandy Maddox, and Jay Duplass as director John G. Avildsen.

The project was initially revealed in May 2024, with Farrelly set to direct and Gamble writing the screenplay. FilmNation Entertainment will manage international sales, while CAA Media Finance is handling U.S. sales. Ippolito was cast as the lead in August, and the remaining cast members joined the project shortly after.

Principal photography began on October 15th, with filming happening in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles – cities that hold personal significance for Sylvester Stallone and were central to the original Rocky movies.

Sylvester Stallone surprisingly shared that he didn’t know about the film when it was first being developed. He said no one reached out to him about it, and he actually learned about the project through news reports. While he’s not currently part of the film, he’d be willing to help as a consultant if the filmmakers asked.

Amazon MGM Studios is set to release I Play Rocky in theaters.

This movie tells the inspiring story of how a relatively unknown actor and a simple script launched the iconic film Rocky. It highlights the determination and hard work that turned the movie into a huge success and a lasting symbol of overcoming challenges.

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2025-10-21 15:15