Amazon MGM Studios has released the first trailer for I Play Rocky, the true story of a young, unknown Sylvester Stallone fighting to write, produce and star in Rocky against seemingly impossible odds. The film opens in limited theaters November 13, 2026, followed by a wide release November 20, arriving nearly 50 years to the day after the original Rocky debuted in 1976.
Anthony Ippolito, who previously portrayed Al Pacino in Paramount+’s The Offer, stars as a young Stallone. In a fitting parallel to the story he is telling, Ippolito reportedly landed the role after sending producers an unsolicited audition tape when he learned the project was in development. The film follows Stallone as he refuses to sell his screenplay unless he can play Rocky Balboa himself, turning down potentially life-changing money and holding the line against producers, studios and practically everyone else telling him no.
Stephan James plays the late Carl Weathers, who originated the role of Apollo Creed in the original Rocky and its sequels. Weathers passed away in February 2024 at age 76. The ensemble also includes AnnaSophia Robb as Stallone’s first wife Sasha Czack, Matt Dillon as his father Frank Stallone Sr., P.J. Byrne as producer Irwin Winkler, Toby Kebbell as producer Robert Chartoff, Jay Duplass as Rocky director John G. Avildsen, Tracy Letts, Kiki Seto as Talia Shire, Robert Morgan as Burgess Meredith and Rob Demery as Joe Frazier.
That gamble Stallone took turned Rocky into the highest-grossing film of 1976. The film earned 10 Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Picture, beating out Network, All the President’s Men, Taxi Driver and Bound for Glory. Stallone himself earned nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
Oscar winner Peter Farrelly, known for Green Book, directs from a screenplay by Peter Gamble. The film is produced by Toby Emmerich, Christian Baha and Farrelly from Fireside Films and Baha Productions. Principal photography began October 15, 2025 in New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
I Play Rocky opens in limited theaters November 13 and everywhere November 20.