We are very excited to share the first look at Amazon MGM Studios‘ upcoming film, “I Play Rocky.” Starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone, it will release this Thanksgiving. It’s a date even more significant, thanks to the fifty years of “Rocky” history behind it.

On November 21st, 1976 “Rocky” was released in theaters and became a cultural touchstone. The film, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, was an underdog story both in its plot and in real-life. Stallone was a struggling actor who had managed to knock out a screenplay that he knew he needed to play the lead in. Now, 50 years later almost to the day, “I Play Rocky” will hit theaters.

Stallone beat the odds by selling his screenplay, and convincing the studio to let him play the lead is a Hollywood miracle. In the upcoming film, Ippolito looks every bit the part. The first image from the film him running along the beach, he embodies the actor in all of his youthful glory of the day.

Even if it doesn’t coincide to the exact day of release 50 years later, one day off isn’t that bad. Ippolito’s casting looks spot on. He played young Al Pacino in the mini-series “The Offer,” which retold the story of the making of “The Godfather.” We’re looking forward to seeing him play the Italian Stallion when “I Play Rocky” comes to theaters on November 20th, 2026.


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