First Look: Anthony Ippolito Transforms into Sylvester Stallone in ‘I Play Rocky’

The first look at Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky has finally been revealed. The upcoming biographical drama tells the behind-the-scenes story of how Stallone’s legendary 1976 film Rocky was made, a project that went through plenty of challenges before becoming one of the most iconic sports movies in history.

Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film is written by Peter Gamble and stars Ippolito as a young Stallone. The cast also includes Stephan James as Carl Weathers, AnnaSophia Robb as 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 producer Robert Chartoff, Tracy Letts as Sandy Maddox, and Jay Duplass as director John G. Avildsen.

According to FilmNation and CAA Media Finance, who are handling international and U.S. sales, the movie explores the difficult road Stallone faced in getting Rocky made. It shows how the unknown actor refused to sell his script unless he could play the lead role, a risky move that eventually paid off.

The project was first announced in May 2024 at the Cannes Market, with Farrelly attached to direct and Gamble writing the screenplay. Casting came together over the following year, with Ippolito joining in August and the rest of the cast being confirmed in October.

Despite the film being about his most famous work, Stallone revealed that he wasn’t involved in its development. “I wasn’t contacted by anyone about it,” he said, adding that he only found out about the film after it was publicly announced. Stallone, however, mentioned he’s open to working on it as a consultant if the filmmakers reach out.

Filming officially began on October 15, with scenes being shot in New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, all key locations that were part of the real Rocky story.

I Play Rocky is set to be released in theaters by Amazon MGM Studios.

The film aims to capture the determination and heart that made Rocky a cultural phenomenon and to show how Stallone’s own life mirrored the story he wrote.

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