Amazon’s ‘I Play Rocky’: Stallone’s Underdog Story Comes to Life!

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One well-known tale about creating memorable films is the story of how Sylvester Stallone made the original Rocky. In what appeared to be one of his lowest points, Stallone’s determination led to the creation of a movie that would become hugely successful. This behind-the-scenes story is like an underdog tale in its own right. It seems that the executives at Amazon MGM Studios have recognized this as well, as they have recently confirmed plans for a film adaptation based on Stallone’s struggle to produce and star in Rocky.

At the Amazon MGM Studios discussion during CinemaCon (as reported by Film Stories), it was disclosed that the project, provisionally named “I Play Rocky“, is set to commence production shortly. This project was initially mentioned in a Deadline article from May 2024. Peter Farrelly is confirmed as the director, and Toby Emmerich was previously announced as a producer. Almost a year on, Farrelly’s role as director has been confirmed once more, with a screenplay for the film written by Peter Gamble (known for “Trenches“).

One intriguing absence in the ongoing project is the participation of Sylvester Stallone. Given his fervent advocacy for the Rocky franchise on social media and its personal significance to him, it’s puzzling that there’s no mention of his role in “I Play Rocky.” This could potentially raise speculation that he may not be in agreement with this project. However, considering Stallone’s past efforts to play the character he originated, it’s challenging to conceive that he wouldn’t want the story to be presented in a full-length feature film.

‘I Play Rocky’ Has the Makings Of A Great Underdog Story

The upcoming film, I Play Rocky, seems to echo the style of The Offer, a 2022 miniseries on Paramount+ that delves into the creation of The Godfather. Both Rocky and The Godfather are films from the ’70s, but their production stories hold distinct characteristics. Initially, Rocky carries a grittier atmosphere compared to its counterpart, as Sylvester Stallone was less established in the industry at that time, having only small roles before Rocky, sometimes without any lines. In contrast, Francis Ford Coppola had already directed several films when working on The Godfather.

As a fan who appreciates the hilarious films by Peter Farrelly, like his work with the Farrelly Brothers on “Dumb and Dumber” or his solo projects such as “Ricky Stanicky”, “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”, and the Academy Award-winning film “Green Book”, I can’t help but wonder if his upcoming movie, “I Play Rocky“, might veer a bit lighter than some Rocky fans anticipate, given his comedic background. However, the more somber tone of “Green Book” hints at the possibility of something deeper and grounded. Additionally, with no actor confirmed for the role of Sylvester Stallone yet, that casting decision will play a significant part in shaping how well this quasi-biopic unfolds.

All things considered, the movie titled “I Play Rocky” could prove to be a captivating watch. The true-life account of the making of “Rocky” is truly motivational, particularly for aspiring and budding filmmakers. Historically, films and television shows centered around the movie industry have generally thrived, with only a handful of recent flops like Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” coming to mind. As the production on “I Play Rocky” progresses, it will be intriguing to find out if Sylvester Stallone becomes involved in any way or speaks about it, given his active presence on social media.

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2025-04-07 17:31