Anthony Ippolito Cast as Young Sylvester Stallone in Amazon MGM’s ‘Rocky’ Origin Story

Anthony Ippolito, best known for playing Al Pacino in Paramount’s limited series The Offer, has landed a new role that puts him in the shoes of another Hollywood legend.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ippolito will star as a young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky, Amazon MGM’s upcoming film about the making of the iconic boxing movie, Rocky.

The movie will be directed by Peter Farrelly, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Green Book, and is set for a theatrical release. Ippolito will portray Stallone during his early struggles in Hollywood, capturing the true story of how an unknown actor fought to not just write the screenplay but also play the lead in what would become one of the most beloved underdog movies ever.

The story focuses on Stallone’s determination to take on the role of Rocky Balboa despite repeated rejections.

In a move reflecting Stallone’s own tenacity, Ippolito reportedly pursued the role with great determination. Upon learning about the project, he made an unsolicited audition tape and sent it directly to the producers, a bold step that ultimately secured him the part.

The film is produced by Toby Emmerich, former chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, and Christian Baha, with a script written by Peter Gamble. Rocky, distributed by United Artists and later MGM, remains one of the most financially successful sports film franchises in history, grossing over $1.7 billion worldwide, including the Creed spin-offs.

Stallone not only starred in the films but also wrote the story of his journey, which culminated in the original 1976 movie winning the Oscar for Best Picture.

Ippolito’s previous work includes portraying Al Pacino in The Offer, which explored the making of The Godfather, as well as roles in Netflix’s Purple Hearts, Pixels, and David Chase’s Not Fade Away.

This project promises to give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at one of Hollywood’s most famous underdog stories. Ippolito taking on Stallone’s role adds a fascinating layer, especially given his own determination to secure the part.

I think this film has a lot of potential to be inspiring, showing not just Stallone’s fight for Rocky but also the passion and persistence needed to succeed in Hollywood. What do you think about Anthony Ippolito playing young Stallone? Share your thoughts in the comments.