You know the story of Rocky Balboa, the underdog boxer who defied the odds. But what about the man who created him? Sylvester Stallone's own journey to bring Rocky to the screen was just as gritty and improbable as the film itself. Now, a new trailer for I Play Rocky gives us a fresh glimpse into that struggle.
Directed by Peter Farrelly (Green Book) and written by Peter Gamble, I Play Rocky chronicles Stallone's relentless pursuit to star in his own screenplay. The film stars Anthony Ippolito, who previously portrayed Al Pacino in The Offer, as the young Stallone. It also features AnnaSophia Robb as his first wife, Sasha, and Matt Dillon as his father, Frank Sr. The production drama is brought to life by Jay Duplass as director John G. Avildsen, with P.J. Byrne and Toby Kebbell as producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, and Tracy Letts as a composite studio executive.
The trailer opens with Stallone as a hungry actor with a few credits to his name and a script he's pitching all over Hollywood. The catch? Studios love the story but want a bankable star to play Rocky Balboa, the small-time boxer who gets a shot at the world title. Stallone, however, refuses to sell unless he gets the lead role. His demand is simple: "I play Rocky."
Once he secures a deal, the real challenges begin. The budget is tiny, the shooting schedule is brutal, and there's a risky new piece of equipment called the Steadicam that could either create one of cinema's most iconic sequences or ruin the entire film. The trailer captures the tension and determination of a man betting everything on himself.
Early buzz for I Play Rocky has been strong. After its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it earned an 84% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have singled out Ippolito's performance, with Collider's Terese Lacson noting that "it is sometimes difficult to remember that we aren't actually watching a younger version of the actor playing himself."
For fans of underdog stories, this film is a must-see. It's a reminder that sometimes the most compelling dramas happen behind the scenes. If you're in the mood for more tales of creative perseverance, check out our list of remakes that outshine the originals. And for more on the legacy of Rocky, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
I Play Rocky opens in select theaters on November 6 and expands nationwide on November 20. Don't miss this inspiring look at how one man's refusal to compromise changed movie history.
