AnnaSophia Robb Brings the Glamour to ‘I Play Rocky’ Premieres as Oscar Buzz Builds

Hollywood loves a good underdog story, and few come with a better pedigree than the one behind ‘Rocky.’ That is exactly what ‘I Play Rocky’ sets out to dramatize, and its cast has spent the past few weeks crisscrossing the country to introduce it to audiences.

Directed by Peter Farrelly, the Oscar winner behind ‘Green Book,’ the film follows a then-unknown Sylvester Stallone as he refuses to sell his ‘Rocky’ screenplay unless he is cast as the lead. Anthony Ippolito stars as the young Stallone, and the movie arrives in select theaters on Nov. 6 before expanding nationwide on Nov. 20. Its release comes close to the 50th anniversary of the original film.

Among the stars drawing attention on the red carpet is AnnaSophia Robb, whose latest premiere photos show her in a sheer black dress with soft, side-swept waves. The images follow a string of appearances for the film, and they have kept the actress in the conversation as ‘I Play Rocky’ heads toward its wide release. For fans who first met her in family films, the premiere run is a reminder of how far her career has traveled.

AnnaSophia Robb stuns for ‘I PLAY ROCKY’ premiere. 📷 https://t.co/lDFxx8iiwW

— Cinethology (@thecinethology) November 10, 2026

Robb has been a fixture at the film’s events. She attended the West Coast premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 24 as part of AFI Fest, joined by Farrelly, Ippolito and co-stars Stephan James and Kiki Seto.

She was also on hand at the New York premiere at the SVA Theatre on Nov. 4, where she posed alongside Ippolito and James. Matt Dillon, P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell and Tracy Letts were among the other cast members in attendance, and Robb’s look there was by Danielle Frankel. Reports also place her at a Philadelphia premiere on Nov. 2, which shows how many stops the cast has made.

AnnaSophia Robb × ‘I Play Rocky’ press 🖤 https://t.co/2UOtq49VDp

— Cinema Phsycic (@CPhsycic) October 30, 2026

In the film, Robb plays Sasha Czack, Stallone’s wife during the period when he was writing and fighting to star in ‘Rocky.’ The movie follows the financial pressure and uncertainty that surrounded Stallone before he became a household name, and her character is part of that personal side of the story.

Robb first drew wide attention in ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ in 2007 and went on to appear in ‘Soul Surfer’ and ‘The Way Way Back.’ More recently she has been seen in ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society,’ so a prestige awards-season drama is a fresh step.

The ensemble around her is deep. Dillon plays Stallone’s father, Frank Stallone Sr., while James takes on Carl Weathers, Jay Duplass plays director John G. Avildsen and Seto appears as Talia Shire. Kebbell portrays producer Robert Chartoff, and Letts rounds out a cast that critics have singled out as a major strength.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, and early reaction has been strong. The Film Stage called it a crowd-pleasing winner and said Ippolito brings something soulful to the role rather than simple imitation. /Film gave the movie a 7 out of 10, describing it as a syrupy but loving tribute with an uncanny lead performance.

USA Today also reported a huge response from the New York premiere audience and suggested the film could follow its namesake into the Oscar race. That kind of early awards chatter explains why the cast has been so visible on the circuit, with the studio clearly eager to build momentum before the wide release.

One notable detail is that Stallone himself has nothing to do with the project. Reports say he was shocked to read about the film and has said he has no involvement, and the Film Stage noted that he is releasing a memoir shortly before the movie arrives. That distance has only added to the curiosity around how the story will land with audiences who know his career well.

First Look: “I Play Rocky” #IPlayRocky #Rocky #CriticsChoice https://t.co/QUzUpREHdB

— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) November 10, 2026

For Robb, the film offers a high-profile showcase at the right moment. With a deep ensemble, a beloved subject and growing awards buzz, the next few weeks should reveal whether this underdog story can go the distance at the box office.

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