In the flurry of trailers and reveals at this year’s CinemaCon, a more grounded but equally compelling story quietly resurfaced: I Play Rocky, a biopic about Sylvester Stallone’s extraordinary journey to get Rocky made, is moving forward at Amazon MGM Studios.
This isn’t another film starring or directed by Stallone — it’s about him. The movie will chronicle how a broke, unknown actor fought to bring his passion project to life and change Hollywood forever. Oscar-winner Peter Farrelly (Green Book) is set to direct. The script is by Peter Gamble (Office Uprising), with Toby Emmerich (Game Night) producing. Stallone is not involved in the project.
In 1975, Stallone wrote Rocky in just three and a half days while barely making ends meet. Famously, he sold his dog to buy food — and later bought him back after selling the script. Butkus, the dog, even appeared in the first two Rocky films. ABC initially showed interest but wanted the story rewritten. Stallone walked away, eventually selling it to United Artists. The studio wanted a known star like James Caan, but Stallone insisted on playing Rocky himself — or no deal.
The film was made for just over $1 million and became the highest-grossing movie of 1976, earning $225 million worldwide. Directed by John G. Avildsen with a stirring score by Bill Conti, Rocky won the Oscar for Best Picture and launched a franchise still going strong with eight sequels.
I Play Rocky will explore the rejections, risks, and raw determination behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most iconic films. No casting or release date has been announced yet, but excitement is already building.
Meanwhile, Stallone remains busy with Season 3 of Tulsa King and his recent work on the Jason Statham action film A Working Man.
