Rocky-Era Stallone Photo: Anthony Ippolito
“`html
“I Play Rocky” Production Underway, Chronicling Sylvester Stallone‘s Journey
Table of Contents
Production has begun on “I Play Rocky,” a biographical drama detailing Sylvester Stallone’s steadfast pursuit to write and star in the iconic film *Rocky*. The film stars Anthony Ippolito as Stallone.
Published October 21, 2025, at 12:28 PM
The Story Behind the Legend
“I Play Rocky” will focus on the true story of Sylvester Stallone and his unwavering conviction that he was destined not only to write the screenplay for *Rocky*, but also to portray the character of Rocky Balboa. The film promises to explore the struggles and triumphs Stallone faced in getting his vision realized.
Production is underway for I PLAY ROCKY, starring Anthony Ippolito. The film tells the true story of Sylvester Stallone and his unshakable belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky, he was meant to be Rocky Balboa. pic.twitter.com/hDY0I1jlGS
– Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) October 20, 2025
Cast and Crew
Anthony Ippolito leads the cast as Sylvester Stallone. He will be joined by P.J. Byrne, tracy Letts, and Jay Duplass in supporting roles. Peter Gamble penned the screenplay.
the film is being produced by Farrelly, Toby Emmerich, and Christian Baha. An Instagram post from Amazon MGM Studios confirmed the start of production.
the Legacy of *Rocky*
The original *Rocky* film, released in 1976, became a cultural phenomenon, earning ten Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Picture and Best Director for Stallone. the film’s success launched Stallone into superstardom and spawned a successful franchise spanning multiple sequels and a spin-off series, *Creed*. The story of an underdog fighter resonated deeply with audiences and continues to inspire today.
| Rocky film | Release Year | Worldwide Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky | 1976 | $225.0 million |
| Rocky II | 1979 | $200.8 million |
| Rocky III | 1982 | $150.8 million |
| Rocky IV | 1985 | $300.0 million |
| Rocky V |