The first official image from I Play Rocky has landed, demonstrating Anthony Ippolito’s transformation into young Sylvester Stallone, running on the beach with a dog. This scene, reminiscent of the famous Rocky run, instantly sparked a wildfire of comparisons and critiques online. Fans and critics alike are split: while some admire the effort, others are merciless in their trolling.
First look at Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone in ‘I PLAY ROCKY’
The film follows a young Sylvester Stallone & the dramatic journey it took to get ‘ROCKY’ made. pic.twitter.com/skkhHnu4kQ
Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film promises to chronicle the journey behind the making of the 1976 classic Rocky, with Ippolito stepping into the legendary boxer’s shoes. Let’s have a look at few fans’ comments:
In 50 years they’ll make a movie about making this movie
Something is off with this picture. His chest doesn't match his arms or the rest of his body.
A movie about a movie star who made a movie about an imaginary boxer.
How far cinema has fallen.
Wait that trailer they showed looked like AI. Is this real??
Fucking Hollywood is ruining classics with sequels, prequels, and remakes.
FFS.
Moreover, Stallone himself revealed he was completely blindsided by the film’s announcement. With his absence in the project and the wave of skepticism from fans, the biopic faces an uphill battle before even hitting theaters.
Sylvester Stallone “Shocked” by ‘I Play Rocky’ Biopic; Reveals Zero Participation
Sylvester Stallone’s reaction to I Play Rocky was anything but enthusiastic. In an interview with The Playlist, the actor confessed to being “shocked” by the film’s announcement and emphasized that he had “zero to do with it”. Stallone shared:
I was shocked to read [about] it. I have zero to do with it. Since I lived it, I thought I might be able to participate and give them some insight.
His absence could be a significant gamble for the filmmakers, considering he holds the key to the authentic narrative of Rocky’s creation. Without his voice, I Play Rocky risks veering away from the lived experience of the iconic figure at its center. Despite Peter Farrelly’s previous success with Green Book, the lack of Stallone’s participation might leave audiences questioning the authenticity of this dramatization.
This biopic is clearly not a full-scale Stallone portrait but rather a broader look at the making of Rocky, potentially focusing on other characters and elements from that era. Interestingly, I Play Rocky might carve its own niche by taking a fresh angle, contrasting with Netflix’s Sly documentary, which gave viewers a Stallone-centric perspective. Whether this separation will serve the film well remains to be seen.
I Play Rocky Starring Anthony Ippolito: Cast, Plot, Release Date & Trailer Details
I Play Rocky tells the gripping true story of how a struggling actor with a speech impediment and a partially paralyzed face refused to give up on his dream to write and star in Rocky. Anthony Ippolito, known for portraying Al Pacino in The Offer, embodies a young Stallone. The film is helmed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly, with producers Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha bringing the project to life.
Emmerich expressed his admiration for Farrelly’s work, saying (via Deadline):
But it was Green Book that made me think of Pete for this inspiring screenplay…. The story of I Play Rocky is as unique as Sylvester Stallone himself, a seeming Everyman with an undeniable gift who needs to share it with the world and refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer.
The film’s official synopsis reads:
A struggling actor with a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment writes a script that a big movie studio wants to buy, but he refuses to sell it unless he gets to play the lead. Turning down an offer of life-changing money, he instead works for pennies to get the movie made with himself in the starring role. The movie becomes the biggest box office hit of 1976, notching 10 Oscar nominations and winning Best Picture.
Here’s a quick glance at the main cast and key details:
Will Anthony Ippolito’s portrayal silence the critics or fuel more online banter? Can Peter Farrelly’s direction transform a behind-the-scenes story into a knockout cinematic experience, or will it miss the mark? Do you think Ippolito can carry the legacy, or is this a swing and a miss? Drop your thoughts below!
I Play Rocky is currently in pre-production with no official release date announced. Fans hungry for a trailer will have to keep their gloves up a bit longer.
I Play Rocky is slated for theatrical release; no streaming details or official date announced yet.
