It is not often that an actor gets to embody a Hollywood legend who played an iconic character in a landmark film. For Anthony Ippolito, that challenge became his reality when he was cast as Sylvester Stallone in “I Play Rocky,” a drama that chronicles the making of the original “Rocky” and the relentless pursuit that turned Stallone into a movie star.
Ippolito, 27, previously played Al Pacino in “The Offer,” the Paramount+ series about the making of “The Godfather.” That experience taught him how heavy it can feel to step into the shoes of an entertainment industry titan. Yet, the pressure of playing Stallone hit him in a different way. “I’d like to say that having dealt with the weight of responsibility that came with playing [Pacino] made this feel less intimidating, but it really didn’t,” Ippolito admitted. “Stallone’s story during this period of his life encapsulates the struggle that so many creatives and artists endure. Despite so much adversity, he went on to create something so incredibly impactful to so many. To have an opportunity to explore the process of how he was able to do that is a dream for any actor.”
In “I Play Rocky,” Ippolito is joined by Stephan James, who takes on the role of the late Carl Weathers. James, known for his work in films such as “If Beale Street Could Talk” and the television series “Homecoming,” plays Apollo Creed, the flamboyant and confident champion who serves as Rocky Balboa’s rival in the original film. But James is quick to note that his portrayal goes beyond Creed’s on-screen bravado. “Carl was a pioneer as far as what it meant to be a Black leading man and action hero; he redefined that role,” James said. “What I enjoyed about the script was there’s different shades I got to portray that I don’t think people understood about him. You’re seeing a very candid, stripped-down version that was an opportunity to fill in the blanks of what made Carl the man he was.”
Stallone’s Underdog Story Comes to the Screen
The real-life saga of Sylvester Stallone is just as compelling as the story he wrote for Rocky Balboa. In the mid-1970s, Stallone was an aspiring actor who struggled to find meaningful work. He wrote the screenplay for “Rocky” in just a few days, drawing inspiration from a 1975 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner. The script quickly attracted the attention of studio executives, who were eager to produce the film—but they wanted an established actor in the lead role. Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, and other big names were considered for the part. Stallone, however, insisted that he would not sell the script unless he was cast as the lead. His determination eventually paid off when producers agreed to give him the role, but only with a significantly reduced budget.
“I Play Rocky” explores that turbulent period with a focus on Stallone’s relentless commitment. The film details his humble beginnings and his intense preparation for what would become one of the most beloved sports dramas in film history. For Ippolito, it was crucial to show both the vulnerability and stubbornness that drove Stallone to refuse selling his script. “What I found most interesting about the project was the paradox of Stallone,” Ippolito said. “He was a performer who, on the surface, seemed impossible to overlook, yet his early career was defined by people looking past him. He had to claw his way into his own dream.”
The film also captures the atmosphere of 1970s Hollywood, where a low-budget film about a boxer was considered a gamble. “Rocky” was ultimately made with a production budget of only $1 million, a modest sum even for that era. The movie was released in 1976 and became a cultural phenomenon, grossing more than $225 million worldwide. It earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Stallone and Best Director for John G. Avildsen, and won the Oscar for Best Picture. The success transformed Stallone into one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and launched a franchise that now includes nine films and an upcoming television spinoff series.
The Physical and Vocal Transformation
For both actors, becoming their real-life counterparts demanded an intense physical commitment. Stallone’s lean but powerful physique in the original “Rocky” is part of the film’s legacy, and Ippolito knew he had to match that look. “I’d always been pretty thin, but Peter Farrelly and I wanted the character to have the build Stallone had in the early ’70s,” Ippolito revealed. That decision required a complete overhaul of his daily routine, including a new diet and a demanding workout schedule. James echoed that sentiment: “It started with no McDonald’s for two months.”
The two actors trained for months, spending hours in the gym each day. Their regimen alternated between boxing sessions and weight training. They worked with boxing coaches to learn proper footwork, stance, and punching technique, aiming to move like actual fighters rather than actors mimicking athletes. “I wanted the audience to believe that both of us could step into a ring and at least look like we belonged,” James said. “The physical transformation helped us understand the discipline that boxers have to live with. It also gave us a personal connection to a role that demands everything from your body.”
But the physical work was only half of the challenge. Stallone’s distinctive voice and speech pattern are among his most recognizable traits, shaped by a facial paralysis he has lived with since birth. The condition paralyzed the motor nerves on the left side of his face, giving him a deep, often slurred voice. That voice has since become an iconic part of his screen persona, but in the 1970s, it was a significant obstacle to finding acting work.
“It took time to find the voice,” Ippolito admitted. “It’s a very important part of him. His voice was the result of facial paralysis from an accident during his birth. It paralyzed the motor nerves on the left side of his face, and his voice was quite deep and he had a slur. Now it’s become an iconic quality of his, but when he was a young guy going through life trying to get work as an actor, it was a huge obstacle.”
Ippolito spent weeks listening to recordings of Stallone from press conferences and television interviews from the 1970s, trying to capture not only the voice but also the cadence and rhythm of his speech. He also studied the way Stallone moved, noting that the actor’s confidence in the ring contrasted with a certain vulnerability outside it. “Once I found the voice, I felt the character open up for me,” Ippolito said. “He had a way of speaking that was both tough and tender. It’s why so many people connected with him.”
A Tribute to Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers, who died in February 2024 at age 76, had a long and celebrated career beyond his role as Apollo Creed. He appeared in films such as “Predator” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Action Jackson,” and Adam Sandler’s comedy “Happy Gilmore,” in which he played a no-nonsense golf instructor. He also headlined the spoof series “Arrested Development” as a fictionalized version of himself. Weathers was celebrated for breaking barriers in Hollywood as one of the few Black actors who regularly headlined action films in the 1970s and 1980s.
James saw his portrayal in “I Play Rocky” as an opportunity to honor Weathers’ legacy. “He was a pioneer,” James explained. “Apollo Creed could have been a one-dimensional villain, but Carl gave him so much more complexity and charm. I wanted to capture the fierceness that he brought to the character while also showing the humor and grace that made him so magnetic.”
The film offers a glimpse into Weathers’ early interactions with Stallone, including the dynamic that developed between them on and off camera. Viewers will see how their professional rivalry on screen was grounded in mutual respect. James was especially drawn to moments in the script that highlighted Weathers’ mentorship of others and his willingness to push Stallone’s character to greatness. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how integral Apollo was to Rocky’s evolution,” James said. “He was not just the villain; he gave Rocky a reason to fight. That’s something I wanted to reflect in my performance.”
Working Together and Getting Stallone’s Blessing
For James, sharing scenes with Ippolito felt like going up against the true spirit of Stallone. “I was blown away,” James recalled. “Anthony was so committed that sometimes I felt like I was working with Stallone himself. He mastered the voice and the mannerisms, but more importantly, he brought the emotional truth. That made it easy to respond to him as an actor.”
The two developed a tight bond during the filming process, which included countless scenes of dialogue and fight choreography. “There was a point where we could finish each other’s sentences,” Ippolito said. “We knew exactly how the other was going to react in a scene. That level of trust is rare. It helped us play the intensity that these two men had when they sat across from each other at a press conference or stood in a boxing ring.”
Stallone himself was not directly involved with “I Play Rocky,” but his support became public after the first trailer was released. The 80-year-old actor took to social media to praise the project. “Every story has a beginning and I’m excited to see this one brought to life,” Stallone wrote. “Congratulations to the cast and crew of ‘I Play Rocky.’ Keep punching.”
Ippolito described hearing about Stallone’s reaction as surreal. “It’s really humbling to see his support,” he said. “It’s been 50 years since ‘Rocky’ was released so you can’t help but feel nostalgic. In a lot of ways, Stallone’s actual underdog story is just as compelling as the one he wrote. Hopefully it allows him to reminisce about some of these pivotal moments in his life.”
The Movie’s Relevance Today
Directed by Peter Farrelly—who won an Academy Award for producing “Green Book” and is known for films such as “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary”—“I Play Rocky” was written by Peter Gamble. The film aims to capture the grit and determination that defined Stallone’s journey. Farrelly has described the story as a “classic underdog tale” that resonates with modern audiences. “People are drawn to stories of perseverance,” Farrelly said in a statement. “Stallone’s fight to make ‘Rocky’ is proof that talent, when combined with stubbornness, can overcome almost any obstacle.”
Stephan James also sees a strong parallel between the film’s themes and contemporary struggles in the entertainment industry. “You would have to be living under a rock to not know about ‘Rocky’ and its impact on cinema and culture,” James said. “Anyone can watch ‘Rocky’ and be inspired, feel uplifted and motivated about any particular thing in your life. ‘I Play Rocky’ has that same quality to it, where you’re just as inspired and motivated by the things you’re seeing Stallone do to try and pull this off.”
For Ippolito, the project was also a way to connect with the part of his own personality that refuses to give up. “There’s a line in the film where Stallone says that he doesn’t just want to be an actor; he wants to be a star,” Ippolito said. “It’s a dangerous thing to say out loud, but it’s also honest. That kind of ambition is what drives people to do extraordinary things. I think everyone can relate to that feeling of wanting more for themselves, even when the odds are stacked against them.”
Since “Rocky” first appeared in theaters, boxing movies have become an unofficial rite of passage for many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors. Robert De Niro transformed himself for “Raging Bull,” Jake Gyllenhaal bulked up for “Southpaw,” Denzel Washington stepped into the ring in “The Hurricane,” and Michael B. Jordan carried the torch in the “Creed” films. Will Smith’s portrayal of Muhammad Ali in “Ali” earned him Academy Award nomination. Each of these performances required months of training and an immense physical transformation, which only further demonstrates the enduring hold that boxing stories have on actors and audiences alike.
Ippolito and James are aware that they are joining this long tradition. Their work in “I Play Rocky” was not just about copying mannerisms or achieving a certain muscle mass. It was about honoring the commitment that Stallone and Weathers made to their craft at a defining moment in their lives. The result, they hope, will celebrate the legacy of “Rocky” while also illuminating the sacrifices that led to its creation. “Every time I watch the original film, I see something new in the performances,” Ippolito said. “That’s the standard we were aiming for. I just hope we made them proud.”
“I Play Rocky” opens in theaters on Nov. 6.
Source: MSN News