Sylvester Stallone Breaks Silence on Biopic "I Play Rocky"

Sylvester Stallone, the iconic figure behind the legendary character Rocky Balboa, has recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming biopic "I Play Rocky." Until now, Stallone had remained largely silent about the project, but he has finally provided a brief statement regarding the film.

The biopic is set to explore Stallone's journey, particularly focusing on the film and character that paved the way for his Hollywood success. Meanwhile, another project, "John Rambo," is in the works as a prequel to the character John J. Rambo, with Stallone serving as a producer. However, he has no involvement with "I Play Rocky," which took him by surprise when it was announced.

In his remarks to The Playlist, Stallone expressed his astonishment at the announcement, stating, "I was shocked when I read about it. I have nothing to do with it at all." This initial shock seems to have subsided, especially with the release of the first teaser trailer featuring Anthony Ippolito portraying a young Stallone, who is depicted striving to achieve his dreams as Rocky.

Stallone has now shared his excitement for the biopic, saying, "Every story has a beginning; and I look forward to seeing how this comes to life. Congratulations to the cast and team of 'I Play Rocky.' Keep going!" His brief yet enthusiastic message has resonated positively with fans, who have responded favorably to the teaser trailer.

Director Peter Farrelly has cast Anthony Ippolito as the lead, who has previously portrayed a young Al Pacino in the biopic "The Offer." Ippolito has shared that preparing for the role of Stallone required him to gain weight to match the physicality of the character, as Stallone was known for his muscular build. He immersed himself in Stallone's filmography, even watching earlier works like "Brooklyn Blues – The Law of the Gutter" to capture the essence of the actor.

During his preparation, Ippolito had a unique opportunity to speak with Stallone via webcam while the actor was on the set of his hit series "Tulsa King." Reflecting on this experience, he commented, "It was really inspiring to hear him say all of that and to talk to a man whose work has inspired me my whole life. It was truly incredible."

The biopic features a talented ensemble cast, including Matt Dillon, Stephan James, Kiki Seto, P.J. Byrne, AnnaSophia Robb, Jay Duplass, Erik Palladino, and Travy Letts. "I Play Rocky" is slated for release in German theaters on November 13, 2026.