Peter Farrelly, the director of “Green Book,” is set to helm a new film titled “I Play Rocky,” delving into the fascinating backstory of Sylvester Stallone’s rise to fame through the iconic boxing drama.
The movie will explore Stallone’s journey long before he became the action hero known to audiences today. In this narrative, he’s portrayed as a struggling actor facing challenges due to a partially paralyzed face and a speech impediment, factors that limit his opportunities in Hollywood. Despite the odds, Stallone writes a compelling script that catches the attention of a major movie studio. However, he adamantly refuses to sell the script unless he’s cast in the lead role. Opting for creative control over financial gain, Stallone chooses to work for minimal compensation to ensure the film gets made with him as the titular character. The gamble pays off, resulting in the monumental success of “Rocky” in 1976, a film that not only dominated the box office but also earned critical acclaim, including winning the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture.
Produced by Farrelly along with Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha, the screenplay for “I Play Rocky” was penned by Peter Gamble. Casting for the film is currently underway, with international sales being handled by FilmNation Entertainment and U.S. sales overseen by CAA Media Finance, debuting at Cannes.
Emmerich expressed his excitement about collaborating with Farrelly, praising his work on “Green Book” and highlighting the inspiring nature of the screenplay. Meanwhile, Baha emphasized the uniqueness of Stallone’s story and the persistence required to bring “I Play Rocky” to fruition, underscoring the shared vision among the production team.
