Story perspectives

‘I Play Rocky’ Trailer Hits 5.5 M Views, Secures CAA Deal

7/17/2026

Summary

Stallone Writes Rocky

Amazon MGM Studios released the “I Play Rocky” trailer on July 15, 2026, depicting Sylvester Stallone’s three-day writing of the Rocky screenplay.
The clip garnered 5.5 million YouTube views in days, prompting lead actor Anthony Ippolito to sign with Creative Artists Agency.
The film, written by Peter Gamble, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Ippolito with AnnaSophia Robb and others, opens limited on November 13, 2026 and wide on November 20, 2026.

Summary

Stallone Oscar Bid

Producers offered six-figure sums for the Rocky script but preferred Robert Redford or Burt Reynolds before Sylvester Stallone demanded the lead.
Peter Farrelly, whose Green Book won Best Picture in 2019, directs the I Play Rocky biopic, sparking early Oscar-season speculation.
Analysts warn the film will compete with 2026 releases such as The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three and Project Hail Mary for awards attention.

Summary

Winkler Attends Premiere

Irwin Winkler, the 95-year-old producer of the original “Rocky,” will attend the “I Play Rocky” premiere despite not producing the biopic.
Winkler confirmed Amazon MGM will re-release the original “Rocky” in November to mark its 50th anniversary.
The film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and open in theaters on November 6, expanding nationwide on November 20.
Director Peter Farrelly is positioning the film as a “middlebrow” audience-award contender after recent festival successes.

History

Historical Context

Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in Rocky, released by United Artists in 1976 on a $1 million budget; the film earned $225 million worldwide and won Best Picture, leading MGM to handle later releases. The franchise’s 50th-anniversary re-release in 2026 coincides with Peter Farrelly’s “I Play Rocky” biopic, reviving the series for streaming-theater hybrids.

1 of 4

Stallone Writes Rocky

Amazon MGM Studios released the “I Play Rocky” trailer on July 15, 2026, depicting Sylvester Stallone’s three-day writing of the Rocky screenplay.
The clip garnered 5.5 million YouTube views in days, prompting lead actor Anthony Ippolito to sign with Creative Artists Agency.
The film, written by Peter Gamble, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Ippolito with AnnaSophia Robb and others, opens limited on November 13, 2026 and wide on November 20, 2026.

1 / 4