Will “I Play Rocky” be a star-making turn for Anthony Ippolito, much like “Rocky” was for Sylvester Stallone? Fans of the boxing film franchise will soon find out as the drama, about the true story of Stallone’s insistence to star in the script he wrote, hits select theaters next month.
Fresh off its world premiere at TIFF in September, Ippolito stars as a young Stallone determined to make “Rocky” his way, despite seemingly the rest of Hollywood balking at his desire to play Rocky Balboa
Here’s an official synopsis for “I Play Rocky,” courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios:
The film is an electrifying true story about an unknown actor with an unshakable belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky—he was meant to be Rocky Balboa. Told “no” at every turn, Sylvester Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds. The result is the ultimate underdog story behind the ultimate underdog movie.
Along with Ippolito, the film also stars Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass, Stephan James, Kiki Seto, Robert Morgan, Saul Stein, Trevor St. John, Erik Palladino, and Rob Demery.
Peter Farrelly directs a script by Peter Gamble for “I Play Rocky.” Producers on the film inclue Toby Emmerich, Christian Baha, and Farrelly.
As noted earlier, “I Play Rocky” had its world premiere at TIFF, where it was nominated for the festival’s People’s Choice Award. It also screening at the Rome International Film Festival this month.
“I Play Rocky” hits select theaters on November 6. Watch the new trailer for the film below.
