New Rocky biopic tells Sylvester Stallone's remarkable rise to fame

The extraordinary story behind Sylvester Stallone's rise to Hollywood stardom takes center stage in I Play Rocky, a new biographical drama directed by Peter Farrelly that premiered at the Rome Film Festival.

Starring Anthony Ippolito as the young Stallone, the film explores how an unknown, financially struggling actor refused to give up his dream of portraying Rocky Balboa, despite repeated rejection from Hollywood producers, CE Report quotes ANSA.

Before becoming one of cinema's most recognizable stars, Stallone faced numerous obstacles. He struggled to secure acting roles, worked various jobs to make ends meet and dealt with a facial nerve condition that affected his speech and appearance.

He had appeared in several minor productions, including a softcore adult film, and worked as a movie theater usher. He also had no professional boxing experience when he developed the screenplay that would eventually transform his career.

Despite his difficult circumstances, Stallone remained determined to play the leading role in Rocky, repeatedly turning down increasingly attractive offers from producers who wanted to purchase his script but cast a more established actor.

His persistence eventually paid off. Released in 1976, Rocky became a worldwide phenomenon and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, establishing Stallone as a major Hollywood star.

The new biopic, titled Rocky sono io in Italy, is being presented in the Grand Public section of the Rome Film Festival and is scheduled for release in Italian cinemas on December 31 through Eagle Pictures.

Ippolito, previously known for portraying Al Pacino in the miniseries The Offer, takes on the challenging task of depicting Stallone during his early career.

The film also examines Stallone's complicated relationship with his father, Frank, played by Matt Dillon, and his romance with Sasha Czack, portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb, who later became his wife.

Another important character is Butkus, Stallone's beloved mastiff, with whom he experiences a night of homelessness during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

The film recreates several memorable moments associated with the original Rocky, including the famous training scenes in which the boxer punches hanging slabs of meat and runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

It also explores the real-life inspiration behind the character.

In 1975, Stallone watched a boxing match between heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and underdog Chuck Wepner. Although Wepner was widely expected to lose quickly, he managed to stay in the fight much longer than anticipated.

Stallone was deeply impressed by the determination of a man who continued fighting despite overwhelming odds. The encounter helped inspire the creation of Rocky Balboa.

Speaking at the Rome Film Festival, Farrelly said his films are primarily intended to entertain audiences rather than deliver specific messages.

However, he acknowledged that I Play Rocky carries a broader message about perseverance and the importance of believing in one's ambitions rather than measuring success solely through wealth.

The director also addressed concerns that Ippolito's performance might become an imitation of Stallone, explaining that the production team wanted to capture the actor's personality and spirit rather than create a caricature.

Ippolito described Stallone as one of his personal heroes and revealed that he had met the Hollywood star approximately a month before filming began.

According to the young actor, Stallone was enthusiastic about the project and generously shared personal memories of his struggles with producers, his lowest moments and his determination to overcome adversity.

Farrelly also pointed out several similarities between the production of I Play Rocky and the original film.

Both movies were made with relatively modest budgets and tight production schedules.

The original Rocky was filmed in just 28 days, while Farrelly's biopic was completed in 24 days, despite the additional challenge of recreating the atmosphere and appearance of the 1970s.

The director said these production similarities reinforced the connection between the two films, making the story behind Rocky almost as compelling as the fictional boxer's journey.

The film celebrates Stallone's determination to pursue his ambitions against the odds, showing how his personal struggles helped shape one of cinema's most enduring underdog stories.

Photo: Instagram/anthonyippolito_