New ‘I Play Rocky’ Trailer Features Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone
Hollywood has a penchant for underdog stories, and few are as iconic as the one behind ‘Rocky’. Before the 1976 boxing drama became a Best Picture winner and launched a franchise with sequels and the ‘Creed’ spinoffs, it was a script penned by a struggling actor who refused to sell it unless he could star in it.
This true story is the focus of ‘I Play Rocky’, a biographical drama from Amazon MGM Studios directed by Peter Farrelly, the Oscar-winning filmmaker known for ‘Green Book’. The film chronicles the journey of a young, unknown Sylvester Stallone as he fights to bring his vision to life, arriving in theaters nearly 50 years after the original ‘Rocky’ premiered.
Audiences can now catch a glimpse of what to expect with the release of a new trailer for ‘I Play Rocky’, showcasing Anthony Ippolito’s portrayal of Stallone, a role that has already garnered festival acclaim.
The trailer captures the same underdog spirit as the original film. Stallone, struggling to find acting work, writes a script for himself in just a few days and insists that he is the only one who can play the part. The film depicts the challenges he faced as studio executives pushed back against his vision.
The real-life events support this narrative. Stallone wrote ‘Rocky’ in about three days, and after rejecting a six-figure offer for the film rights, United Artists eventually agreed to cast him. The movie was produced for under $1 million, became the highest-grossing film of 1976, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
A new trailer for ‘I PLAY ROCKY’ has been released.
Starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone. https://t.co/8O1U5t4CtO— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 22, 2026
Ippolito, who previously portrayed Al Pacino in the Paramount+ series ‘The Offer’, takes on the role of Stallone this time. Stephan James plays Carl Weathers, the actor who became Apollo Creed, while AnnaSophia Robb portrays Stallone’s first wife, Sasha Czack, and Matt Dillon plays his father, Frank Stallone Sr.
The supporting cast features Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass, and PJ Byrne, along with Kiki Seto as Talia Shire and Robert Morgan as Burgess Meredith. The screenplay was written by Peter Gamble, with Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha producing alongside Farrelly.
The film has already been screened for audiences, having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and opening the Hamptons International Film Festival, where Ippolito received a Breakthrough Performer Award. Variety’s review praised the film as a crowd-pleaser and noted that Ippolito delivers an impressive performance.
This early reception is crucial for a film that must balance nostalgia with originality. Instead of merely recreating ‘Rocky’, the movie delves into the behind-the-scenes moments that led to the film’s production.
This project also signifies a shift for Farrelly, who is primarily known for comedies like ‘There’s Something About Mary’ and ‘Dumb and Dumber’. While he won Best Picture for ‘Green Book’, his recent work has leaned towards R-rated comedies such as ‘Ricky Stanicky’ and ‘Balls Up’. ‘I Play Rocky’ marks his return to a more dramatic narrative.
The blend of warmth and humor appears to suit a story fundamentally about persistence. The trailer hints that the film captures both the comedic and serious stakes of Stallone’s uphill battle.
According to listings, ‘I Play Rocky’ is set to open in select theaters on November 6, with a wider release following on November 20. The film has a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes, coinciding with the same November timeline that saw ‘Rocky’ debut in 1976.
Amazon MGM Studios is positioning the film as one of several significant theatrical releases on its slate for 2026 and 2027, with the anniversary timing providing a built-in promotional advantage.
Backstage stories about classic films often resonate best when they convey a larger message. In this case, it emphasizes that betting on oneself can yield rewards, even when faced with skepticism.
For fans of the original, the trailer offers a chance to witness how that story unfolded. For newcomers, it presents a classic underdog tale with a Hollywood twist.
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