Amazon MGM plans to release “I Play Rocky” with a bang on November 20th, following a limited release on November 13th, Variety has confirmed. The premiere will be held just in time for Thanksgiving, one of the busiest times for movie-going. The original Oscar-winning boxing drama turns 50 on November 21st.
This movie depicts the production process of “Rocky,” which also serves as a biopic about Sylvester Stallone. The film stars Anthony Ippolito as the young Stallone, along with Stephen James as Carl Weathers, who plays Rocky’s nemesis Apollo Creed, as well as AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, PJ Byrne, Tracy Letts, and Jay Duplass.
Until the release of Rocky, Stallone was far from the straight-laced movie star who eventually embarked on the big screen. Stallone, 29, suffered from partial facial paralysis and a speech impediment, making it difficult for him to succeed as an actor. The script he wrote for “Rocky” was his ticket to a big hit, and he refused to sell the rights unless he was cast in the lead role. He turned down a six-figure contract for the film, and ended up financing the production for less than $1 million. The film became an underdog phenomenon after its release in 1976, grossing more than $200 million worldwide and winning Best Picture at the 1977 Academy Awards.
“Green Book” director Peter Farrelly will direct “I Play Rocky” from a screenplay by Peter Gamble. Farrelly also serves as a producer along with former Warner Bros. film executives Tobey Emmerich and Christian Baha. FilmNation Entertainment handled production services and international sales.
Speaking about the film’s release in 2024, director Baha said, “When I first read Peter Gamble’s energetic and moving script, I knew it captured something very special.” “The story of ‘I Play Rocky’ is as unique as Sylvester Stallone himself, a seemingly ordinary man with an undeniable talent who needs to share it with the world and who refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer.”
