Fifty years ago, a scrappy underdog from Philadelphia punched his way into cinematic history. Now, to mark the milestone, a lavish new art book is giving fans a ringside view of the franchise's visual legacy. The Fine Art of Rocky: An Artistic Tribute From Screen to Canvas arrives this fall, and we've got an exclusive peek inside.
The book, penned by John Rivoli—the official artist for MGM's Rocky franchise—collects artwork inspired by all five films in the original series. From the gritty streets of South Philly to the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the pieces capture the spirit of the saga that turned Sylvester Stallone into a global superstar. The volume also includes a brand-new introduction written by Stallone himself, adding a personal touch for longtime fans.
For collectors, there's a deluxe edition limited to just 300 individually numbered copies. Housed in a bespoke clamshell box, it's personally signed by Rivoli and comes with an exclusive cover plus four 16-by-20 prints. Both the standard and limited editions are available for pre-order now, with in-store release set for October.
The original Rocky (1976) told the story of a down-on-his-luck fighter who gets a shot at the heavyweight title against Apollo Creed. Stallone wrote the script and starred as the lovable underdog, with memorable turns from Burgess Meredith, Burt Young, and Talia Shire. The film was a surprise smash, winning three Oscars including Best Picture, and spawned a franchise that continues to resonate. As we've noted before, 1970s classics like this only get better with age.
But the anniversary celebrations don't stop at the art book. This fall, fans can also check out I Play Rocky, a biopic directed by Peter Farrelly that chronicles Stallone's struggle to get the original script made—with the crucial condition that he star in it. Anthony Ippolito plays the young Stallone, with a supporting cast including AnnaSophia Robb, Toby Kebbell, and Tracy Letts. The film premieres November 6, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the iconic character came to life.
Whether you're a die-hard collector or a casual admirer, The Fine Art of Rocky promises to be a knockout tribute. And if you're in the mood for more cinematic nostalgia, check out our coverage of Walter White's Funko Pop return or the latest on Spider-Man's box office dominance. For now, get ready to go the distance with this gorgeous new collection.
