“You’ve got to take a leap of faith.” That line captures the heart of I Play Rocky, an electrifying biographical drama about the moment an unknown actor refused to back down — and changed Hollywood forever. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film tells the unbelievable true story of a young Sylvester Stallone, who fought tooth and nail to not only write Rocky… but to star in it.
After premiering at TIFF on September 12, 2026 , the film arrives in U.S. theatres November 6, 2026 (limited) before expanding nationwide November 20, 2026 .
I Play Rocky
- Director: Peter Farrelly
- Starring: Anthony Ippolito, Stephan James, Matt Dillon, AnnaSophia Robb, P.J. Byrne, Jay Duplass, Kiki Seto, Toby Kebbell
- Genre: Drama
Overview
I Play Rocky chronicles Stallone’s uphill battle in the mid‑1970s — broke, dismissed, and told “no” at every turn — as he clings to the belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky, he was meant to be Rocky Balboa.
The film dives into the chaotic, emotional, and often brutal behind‑the‑scenes journey of getting Rocky made, revealing the real underdog story behind one of cinema’s most iconic underdog films.
Critics have already praised Anthony Ippolito’s performance as Stallone, calling it a breakout portrayal that anchors the film’s emotional punch.
Cast
A powerhouse ensemble brings the early days of Rocky to life:
- Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone
- AnnaSophia Robb as Sasha Czack
- Toby Kebbell as Robert Chartoff
- P.J. Byrne as Irwin Winkler
- Jay Duplass as John G. Avildsen
- Kiki Seto as Talia Shire
- Stephan James as Carl Weathers
- Matt Dillon as Frank Stallone Sr.
- Tracy Letts as Sandy Maddox
- Robert Morgan as Burgess Meredith
The cast recreates the real personalities who shaped the original Rocky — from producers to co‑stars — giving fans a vivid look at how the film came together.
Director, Writer & Producers
- Directed by: Peter Farrelly
- Written by: Peter Gamble
- Produced by: Toby Emmerich, Christian Baha, Peter Farrelly, Paul Currie, Michele Weiss
Farrelly brings his award‑winning storytelling to the project, blending humor, grit, and emotional truth. Gamble’s script captures the raw desperation and unwavering determination that defined Stallone’s early career.
Behind-the-Scenes Highlights
- The film explores the tumultuous production of Rocky and Stallone’s refusal to sell the script unless he could star in it — a gamble that nearly cost him everything.
- Amazon MGM Studios handles distribution, with the film premiering at TIFF before its November rollout .
- Stallone himself reacted positively after seeing the trailer, calling it a story worth telling and revisiting .
Release Dates
- Limited Release: November 6, 2026
- Nationwide Release: November 20, 2026
