Anthony Ippolito has been revealed as the actor portraying Sylvester Stallone in the upcoming biopic I Play Rocky.
The first trailer for the film has given fans a glimpse of the story behind the making of one of cinema's most iconic underdog films.
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The Amazon MGM drama follows Stallone's determination to get Rocky made in 1976, despite facing rejection and financial struggles, while also fighting to play the lead role of Rocky Balboa himself.
The film's official synopsis says: “The film tells the true story of Sylvester Stallone and his unshakable belief that he wasn’t just meant to write Rocky, he was meant to be Rocky Balboa.”
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Ippolito, known for starring as Al Pacino in the Paramount+ series The Offer, takes on the role of Stallone after previously portraying another Hollywood legend from the 1970s.
The cast also includes Stephan James as Carl Weathers, alongside AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts, Jay Duplass and Robert Morgan.
Sylvester Stallone, Rambo V photocall 2019. Andrea Ruffin, Shutterstock
Directed by Peter Farrelly, the film explores how Stallone pushed for his screenplay to be made, even refusing to sell the script unless he was allowed to play the main character.
The original Rocky was produced for less than $1 million and went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1976.
The movie also won the Academy Award for Best Picture and became one of the most successful sports films in history, later leading to multiple sequels and the Creed spin-off franchise.
Speaking previously about the film's message, Stallone said:
"When I wrote 'Rocky,' I wasn't just writing about one fighter. I was writing about anyone who's ever been counted out but kept moving forward."
I Play Rocky will arrive in cinemas in November from Amazon MGM.
