Drama
History
The true underdog story.
I Play Rocky (2026)
Runtime
128 min
Release date
06/11/2026
Country
United States of America, Australia
Production
Eden Rock Media
Baha Productions
Fireside Films
FilmNation Entertainment
International Media Funds Management
Overview
The electrifying true story about an unknown actor with an unshakable belief that he wasn't just meant to write Rocky—he was meant to be Rocky Balboa. Told "no" at every turn, Sylvester Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds.
Directors & Screenwriters
Peter Farrelly
Director
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Cast
Anthony Ippolito
as
Sylvester Stallone
AnnaSophia Robb
as
Sasha Czack
P.J. Byrne
as
Irwin Winkler
Toby Kebbell
as
Robert Chartoff
Jay Duplass
as
John Avildsen
Tracy Letts
as
Sandy Maddox
Matt Dillon
as
Frank Stallone Sr.
Stephan James
as
Carl Weathers
Kiki Seto
as
Talia Shire
Robert Morgan
as
Burgess Meredith
Saul Stein
as
Sal
Trevor St. John
as
Grant Bader
Steve Sweeney
as
Rick – Bartender
Michael Fuchs
as
Garret Brown
Scot Teller
as
Burt Young
Diego Pope
as
Spider Rico
J. Nycole Ralph
as
Diana Lewis
Arthur Mercante Jr.
as
Ref
Anthony Ventola
as
Ringside Cop
Erik Palladino
as
Pete
Martin Fisher
as
Gary
Paul Sloan
as
Ronnie
Baxter Rogers
as
Chico – Production Assistant
Gavin Mariani
as
Scotty – Production Assistant #2
Thomas Canestraro
as
Tomahawk
Kyle Shariff Austin
as
Rocky Crew Grip
Justin Clarke
as
Camera Van Driver
Mark Levine
as
Bernard Oldfield
John K. Kramer
as
Dr. Pope
Tracey Rooney
as
Ellie – NYC Casting Associate
Sean Gildea
as
George Bedard – UA Executive
John Patrick Jordan
as
Martin Kessler – UA Executive
Rora Brodwin
as
Deborah – UA Assistant
John Carlo
as
Trainer
Carmine Giordano
as
Jimmy Gambina
Jackie Flynn
as
Mr. Ciardi
Tobias Forrest
as
Joey – Store Clerk
Dennis W. Hall
as
Vincent – Porn Director
Marla Mindelle
as
Carla – Porn Producer
Rachel Zeiger-Haag
as
Betty – LA Casting Associate
Brian Jarvis
as
Fred
Nic Novicki
as
Ernie – Fishmonger
Michael Corrente
as
Marty – Flop House Manager
Michael Burton
as
Herb – Head Usher
Josephine Dionysiou
as
Lucy – Porn Actress
Nikki Tyler-Flynn
as
Linda
Rob Demery
as
Joe Frazier
Richard Bird
as
Frazier's Agent
Daniel Carrow
as
Frazier's Manager
Ruben Rivera
as
Officer Ansell
Brian Burke
as
Whitey – Bar Buddy
Robert Zampano
as
Bobby Z
Sue Dahlman
as
Sarah
Damian Conrad-Davis
as
Gene
James Lee Freeman
as
Stretch – Friendly Porn Actor
Christian Baha
as
Mr. Tavernier – Bonny Lass Manager
Raff Anoushian
as
Raffi
Andre Da Silva
as
Valet Attendant
Victor Plajas
as
Sparring Partner
George B. Colucci Jr.
as
Bonny Lass Manager
Leni Kocsis
as
Puppy Butkus
Big Riggs
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Butkus
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All trailers
Drama
History
I Play Rocky
Official Trailer 2
Video: YouTube
Duration: 01:32
Duration: 01:32
Drama
History
I Play Rocky
In UK and Irish Cinemas November
Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Duration: 00:31
Drama
History
I Play Rocky
In UK and Irish Cinemas November
Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Duration: 00:31
Drama
History
I Play Rocky
UK Trailer
Video: YouTube
Duration: 01:06
Duration: 01:06
Drama
History
I Play Rocky
Official Trailer
Video: YouTube
Duration: 02:45
Duration: 02:45
Did You Know?
From skinny to Stallone: Anthony Ippolito’s grueling metamorphosis to play Rocky’s creator
Anthony Ippolito didn’t just mimic Sylvester Stallone’s iconic voice for Peter Farrelly’s new biopic – he overhauled his entire physique. Over nearly two years he bulked up from roughly 150 pounds to 180 pounds, grinding out sessions at Brooklyn’s legendary Gleason’s Gym while his friends watched his sudden gym‑obsession with puzzled curiosity.
The physical overhaul was only half the test. Ippolito’s first day on set paired him with a massive 140‑160‑pound dog playing Stallone’s beloved pooch Butkus. The canine, who had been sold for $40 before Stallone’s fame and later bought back for $15,000, didn’t warm up to the newcomer until Ippolito bribed him with treats and patience, turning a simple scene into a lesson in animal‑actor diplomacy.
“I Play Rocky,” which chronicles Stallone’s 1976 struggle to get the original “Rocky” made, also stars AnnaSophia Robb as Sasha, Stephan James as Carl Weathers, and a supporting cast that includes Kiki Seto, P.J. Byrne, Matt Dillon, Tracy Letts and Jay Duplass. After a limited release on Nov. 6, the film expands wide on Nov. 20, promising fans a fresh look at the underdog story behind cinema’s most famous underdog.
The untold saga behind Rocky’s creation hits screens this November
Peter Farrelly’s upcoming biopic I Play Rocky dives deep into the gritty origins of the 1976 boxing classic, spotlighting the relentless ambition of a then‑unknown Michael Stallone. Portrayed by Anthony Ippolito, Stallone not only pens the screenplay but also battles to convince producers that he himself should embody the iconic underdog, a gamble that ultimately defines his career.
The film promises a behind‑the‑scenes look at the low‑budget hustle that birthed Rocky, featuring a supporting cast that includes AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, Toby Kebbell and Jay Duplass. With its November 20, 2026 release date, I Play Rocky aims to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers eager to see the raw determination that turned a script into a cultural phenomenon.
Farrelly’s direction suggests a blend of heartfelt drama and the classic underdog spirit that made the original a legend, offering a fresh perspective on the man behind the gloves and the moment that launched a franchise.
The new biopic claims Rocky was almost a New York story – but Philly saved the legend.
"I Play Rocky," the freshly released film about Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 breakout, dramatizes the gritty hustle that birthed the iconic boxing saga. Anthony Ippolito steps into Stallone’s shoes, showing a cash‑strapped writer who sells his beloved dog Butkus for $40, only to buy him back after landing a deal, and who famously refuses a six‑figure United Artists contract unless he also gets the lead role.
The movie adds a controversial twist: it suggests producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff wanted to relocate Rocky from its original Philadelphia setting to New York to dodge union labor costs. In a fabricated showdown, a union boss crashes the famed meat‑punching scene, forcing the crew to scatter and hide. While the film leans into Hollywood myth‑making, the reality is clear – the first page of the screenplay already names Philadelphia, and Stallone’s memoir "The Steps" confirms the city was non‑negotiable from day one.
Stallone writes that director John Avildsen had to persuade the producers to keep the story in Philly, a decision that cemented the legendary run along the Schuylkill River, through the Italian Market, and up the Museum of Art steps. "I Play Rocky" faithfully recreates those moments, paying homage to the city’s working‑class spirit that Stallone felt was essential to Rocky’s DNA.
Beyond the fictional union drama, the biopic treats the Rocky myth with reverence, reminding audiences that Philadelphia’s tough, blue‑collar ethos – the very backdrop Stallone championed – remains the heart of the underdog story we all know and love.
The real Rocky steps onto the red carpet: a Philly premiere reveals the gritty truth behind Stallone’s legend
Stars and filmmakers gathered at the Philadelphia Film Society for the local premiere of I Play Rocky, a biopic that shines a spotlight on Sylvester Stallone’s own uphill battle that inspired the 1976 classic. The event turned the city’s historic venue into a celebration of the man behind the iconic underdog story.
Director Peter Farrelly explained that the film is essentially the same story as Rocky, only with Stallone as a real person. He highlighted the extreme pressure the actor faced from the studio, which threatened to replace him with big names like Ryan O’Neal, Burt Reynolds or Clint Eastwood if he fell behind schedule.
Lead actor Anthony Ippolito described the demanding physical transformation required to embody Stallone’s famously specific physique. AnnaSophia Robb, playing Stallone’s first wife Sasha Czack, emphasized the behind‑the‑scenes support that kept him moving forward, while local talent Scott Teller, portraying Burt Young, reflected on how Rocky’s underdog spirit resonated with his own upbringing.
The man who became Rocky: how a daring biopic captures Stallone’s relentless gamble
Peter Farrelly’s new biopic I Play Rocky chronicles Sylvester Stallone’s dogged quest to star in the 1976 boxing classic he wrote. Opening in select theaters on Nov. 6 and rolling nationwide on Nov. 20, the PG‑13 drama leans on the same rags‑to‑rich beats that made the original Rocky a cultural touchstone, while tracing the real‑life hurdles that shaped the legend.
At the heart of the film is Anthony Ippolito’s uncanny transformation into a young Stallone. Sharing Italian heritage and a striking physical likeness, Ippodito goes beyond mere imitation, mastering Stallone’s distinctive cadence and delivering moments of raw vulnerability that make the audience forget he isn’t a de‑aged Sly. His performance pulses with heart, especially in scenes where the future star breaks down in tears or erupts in anger.
Supporting turns add depth to the saga: AnnaSophia Robb shines as Sasha Czack, Stallone’s first wife, while Toby Kebbell and P.J. Byrne embody producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler. Their on‑screen chemistry mirrors the budding romance of Rocky and Adrian, giving the film a warm, grounded counterpoint to the cut‑throat world of Hollywood. Even the dog that appears in the story earns a mention for its “excruciating” yet endearing presence.
Farrelly’s approach stays comfortably familiar, echoing the classic Rocky narrative rather than daring into new biopic territory. The result is a sincere, modestly ambitious portrait that leans on strong performances and glossy visuals. While it may not push the genre’s boundaries, I Play Rocky delivers a satisfying punch for fans of Stallone and the iconic franchise, reminding viewers that the Italian Stallion’s identity was always his own to claim.