Peter Farrelly’s I Play Rocky recounts Sylvester Stallone’s improbable path to Hollywood success through the creation of Rocky. The film presents Stallone’s rise as its own underdog story, following the years before the boxing drama reached the screen and the obstacles that stood between the aspiring actor and his breakthrough.
Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone as a determined, self-taught performer who understands that he does not fit Hollywood’s idea of a leading man but refuses to abandon his ambitions. The review highlights his physical transformation and vocal impression while emphasizing the emotional commitment behind the performance. AnnaSophia Robb plays Sasha, Stallone’s first wife, who encourages him to write a script that reflects his abilities.
The story shows Stallone writing several scripts before developing Rocky after an encounter with a major boxing match. He and Sasha move to Hollywood, where repeated rejections and stalled meetings make clear how difficult it is to get an original film produced. P.J. Byrne and Toby Kebbell play producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, while Tracy Letts portrays an outspoken studio executive.
Once Rocky is approved with Stallone attached to star, the film gains momentum as it explores negotiations, studio resistance and the practical challenges of making the movie. The review also points to the production-focused material as one of the film’s strengths, including a subplot involving the Steadicam and Jay Duplass’s portrayal of director John G. Avildsen.
The review describes I Play Rocky as an accessible and energetic crowd-pleaser that is designed to provoke laughter and cheers. At the same time, it argues that Peter Gamble’s screenplay and Farrelly’s polished direction soften the harsher realities of Stallone’s story, including his financial struggles and brief period sleeping on the street. The result is entertaining and often effective, but less willing to dwell on the pain behind the success.
I Play Rocky premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Amazon MGM Studios is scheduled to release the film in select theaters on November 6, 2026, followed by a wider release on November 20.
Sources: IndieWire.