I Play Rocky: A Nostalgic, Fan-Service-Heavy Biopic Premieres at TIFF

Key points

• I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Peter Gamble, tells the story of how Sylvester Stallone fought to star in his own 1976 film, Rocky.
• Anthony Ippolito, known for playing Al Pacino in The Offer, stars as a young, struggling Stallone, having secured the role via a self-taped audition.
• The film recreates iconic moments from Rocky, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps sequence and the training montage, often serving as a form of 'visual karaoke' for fans.
• The narrative focuses on Stallone’s refusal to sell the script unless he could play the lead, leading to a tense negotiation with producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff.
• The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation, and is scheduled for a limited U.S. release on November 6, with a wide release on November 20.

Background

I Play Rocky is the latest project from director Peter Farrelly, who previously won the Best Picture Oscar for Green Book in 2019. The film is being positioned as a potential Oscar contender, following a similar trajectory to Green Book, with Amazon MGM Studios handling distribution. It joins a trend of biopics about iconic films, such as The Offer, which detailed the making of The Godfather.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter praises the film as a 'crowd-pleasing' and 'big-hearted' drama, highlighting Anthony Ippolito’s 'endearing' performance as a pre-stardom Stallone. Vulture agrees, calling the film 'endearing, despite itself,' and appreciates its affection for the chaos of filmmaking, though it notes the movie is 'syrupy' and relies heavily on secondhand valor. The Guardian offers a more critical view, describing the film as 'heavy on fan service, light on real emotion,' and criticizing it for lacking pathos and relying on 'visual karaoke' rather than deep psychological insight. All three outlets agree that Ippolito’s performance is a major strength, but they differ on whether the film’s sentimental excess is a virtue or a flaw.

Why it matters

I Play Rocky is significant as a major studio release from Amazon MGM Studios that aims to capitalize on the enduring cultural legacy of Rocky. Its success at the Toronto International Film Festival, including a standing ovation, suggests strong audience reception and potential for Oscar consideration, particularly in the Best Picture and Best Actor categories. The film also serves as a testament to the power of nostalgia and the enduring appeal of underdog stories in contemporary cinema.

What to watch

I Play Rocky will have a limited U.S. release on November 6, 2026, followed by a wide release on November 20, 2026. The film is expected to be a contender for the 2027 Academy Awards, with Anthony Ippolito’s performance likely to be a focal point for Best Actor discussions.