New trailer for ‘I PLAY ROCKY’ shows young Stallone fighting to star in his own film
Amazon MGM Studios has released a trailer for I Play Rocky, Peter Farrelly’s biopic about a young Sylvester Stallone fighting to star in Rocky, which opens in cinemas on 6 November before expanding on 20 November.
TL;DR
- Amazon MGM Studios has released the trailer for I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly.
- The film follows Stallone refusing to sell his Rocky script unless he plays the lead.
- It opens in select cinemas on 6 November and expands on 20 November.
- UK and Ireland audiences get it on 6 November, the same day Rocky returns to cinemas.
What the trailer shows
Actor Anthony Ippolito, who played Al Pacino in The Offer, stars as the young Stallone, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The footage shows Stallone pitching producers and breaking his hand while filming the meat-punching scenes, the Inquirer reported.
The official synopsis calls it the ultimate underdog story behind the ultimate underdog movie. Stallone is told “no” at every turn and bets everything on himself.
Cast and production
Matt Dillon plays Frank Stallone Sr., AnnaSophia Robb plays Sasha Czack, and Stephan James plays Carl Weathers, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Farrelly, the Oscar winner behind Green Book, directs, according to Amazon. The script comes from Peter Gamble.
Filming ran from October to December 2025 across Los Angeles, New Jersey and Philadelphia. The crew recreated the run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. The real Stallone is not involved in the production, the Inquirer reported.
I Play Rocky UK release date
I Play Rocky opens in UK and Irish cinemas on 6 November, according to The Movie Waffler. Rocky returns to cinemas the same day to mark its 50th anniversary.
In the US, the film opens in select theatres on 6 November and reaches theatres everywhere later in the month, according to Amazon. The wide release lands on 20 November.
Why the timing matters
The film arrives as audiences turn out for real-life stories. Michael ended its run as the highest-grossing biopic ever, as BriefLedger reported.
Studios are mining other famous lives too, including Universal’s adaptation of Britney Spears’s memoir.
Reported from publicly available interviews and verified press sources. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.
Chloe Jones is a film and television critic dedicated to providing expert analysis of movies, web series, and the latest in prestige TV. Known for her insightful perspective and deep industry knowledge, Chloe helps audiences navigate the crowded streaming landscape with honesty and expertise. Folow me on letterboxd
