Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Biopic: What We Know So Far About the Movie That Could Change Everything

The underdog story of Sylvester Stallone bringing Rocky to life is heading to the big screen, as a biopic focused on the creation of the 1976 boxing classic has officially gained momentum. Announced at CinemaCon, the film—titled I Play Rocky—will explore Stallone’s struggle to get his Oscar-winning script off the ground and his determination to star in the title role.

A Behind-the-Scenes Tale

Directed by Peter Farrelly, known for his Oscar-winning work on Green Book, I Play Rocky will delve into the trials and triumphs Stallone faced while turning Rocky into reality. Stallone famously wrote the script for Rocky while barely making ends meet and refused to sell the story unless he could also star as the lead. The film was ultimately greenlit with a shoestring budget and a tight production schedule, but it went on to become a cultural phenomenon, winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards and cementing Stallone’s place in Hollywood history.

The screenplay for I Play Rocky is written by Peter Gamble, with Farrelly not only directing but also serving as a producer. While Amazon MGM Studios is backing the project, details remain under wraps—most notably, the casting of Stallone and whether Stallone himself will be involved in the production.

The Rocky Franchise’s Enduring Legacy

Since its 1976 debut, Rocky has spawned one of the most enduring franchises in cinematic history. The story evolved over the decades, introducing new characters and challenges. Most recently, the focus shifted to Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed. Jordan has carried the mantle in three Creed films, with a fourth in development. While Stallone played Rocky in the first two Creed installments, he stepped back from the franchise after Creed II.

In 2018, Stallone signaled that his time portraying the Italian Stallion had come to an end. “This is probably my last rodeo,” he said. “I thought Rocky was done in 2006. And I was very happy with that. Then all of a sudden this young man [Michael B. Jordan] presented himself and the whole story changed. It went on to a new generation. New problems. New adventures.”

Anticipation Builds

With I Play Rocky officially moving forward, fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see how the film will capture the grit, heart, and determination that defined Stallone’s journey to make Rocky. Much like the original film, this biopic promises to highlight a true underdog story—one where the fight for creative control and self-belief proved as monumental as any bout in the ring.