Actor Anthony Ippolito secured the lead role in the upcoming film "I Play Rocky" by sending an unsolicited audition tape to director Peter Farrelly. The 27-year-old actor, who was not originally asked to audition, portrays Sylvester Stallone during the period he wrote and sought to star in the 1976 film "Rocky."
The project, directed by Peter Farrelly, focuses on Stallone’s efforts to produce his screenplay. Farrelly stated that he had initially planned a worldwide search for the lead role but canceled those plans after viewing Ippolito’s self-submitted tape. The director noted that Ippolito avoided a caricature of Stallone, distinguishing the actor from his famous screen character.
Ippolito previously played a young Al Pacino in "The Offer," a miniseries about the production of "The Godfather." For "I Play Rocky," Ippolito spent approximately 18 months preparing for the role, according to co-star AnnaSophia Robb, who plays Stallone’s first wife, Sasha Czack. The film also features Stephan James.
The production dramatizes the behind-the-scenes history of the "Rocky" franchise. By focusing on a period before Sylvester Stallone achieved global fame, the movie explores the personal financial risks Stallone faced when negotiating for creative control. The film highlights Stallone’s reported decision to reject offers in the $300,000 range for his script to ensure he could play the lead role himself.
The production offers a dramatized look at the hardships Stallone experienced in the mid-1970s, including his upbringing and isolation. The casting of Ippolito, who bypassed traditional audition channels through a cold submission, reflects Stallone's own rise to stardom. The film begins a limited release on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
The production has already received feedback from Sylvester Stallone, who told The Associated Press in a September 2026 interview that the film was "fantastic" and Ippolito did a "great job." The film is being released by Amazon MGM Studios.
"I Play Rocky" begins its limited release on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Specific expansion dates to additional theaters or streaming platforms were not reported.