Preparations Begin for I Play Rocky: The Story of Sylvester Stallone’s Rise

Amazon MGM Studios has begun preparations for I Play Rocky, a film exploring the origin story of the legendary Rocky Balboa character. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the Oscar-winning director of Green Book, with a screenplay by Peter Gamble, known for Office Uprising, the film will focus on a young Sylvester Stallone’s struggle to make it in Hollywood despite partial facial paralysis and speech difficulties. It will highlight his determination to sell his self-written script only on the condition that he play the lead role.

Casting for the role of Stallone is still underway, with auditions ongoing. The 1976 film Rocky won three Oscars, including Best Picture, earned ten nominations, and achieved massive box office success, cementing its place in cinema history. A true “American Dream” story, I Play Rocky will take audiences behind the scenes of this iconic production. Filming is expected to begin soon, with the project announced at CinemaCon 2025.