"I Play Rocky": First Trailer Released for Sylvester Stallone's Unlikely Story

The first trailer has been released for "I Play Rocky," a new film by Peter Farrelly that explores the behind-the-scenes story of Sylvester Stallone's creation of the legendary 1976 film "Rocky."

The movie, slated for a November theatrical release, is being positioned by Amazon/MGM for an awards season push. Early test screenings have reportedly garnered excellent reviews, and buzz is expected to build following a potential world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Directed by Oscar winner Farrelly, the film stars Anthony Ippolito, who bears a striking resemblance to Stallone, in the role of the persistent artist. Ippolito previously portrayed Al Pacino in Paramount's miniseries "The Offer."

Peter Gamble's screenplay details the journey of an unknown actor with facial paralysis and a speech impediment who fiercely resists lucrative offers from major studios. He insists on starring in his own project, famously turning down life-changing money to make the film on a shoestring budget. The result was "Rocky," which became the highest-grossing film of 1976, earning ten Oscar nominations and winning Best Picture.

The cast of "I Play Rocky" also includes Anna Sophia Robb, Matt Dillon, Stephan James, PJ Byrne, and Jay Duplass. Farrelly, known for comedies like "Ricky Stanicky" and "Balls Up," returns with this more dramatic and inspiring cinematic offering.

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rejecting a life-changing offer of money, he works for peanuts to get the film made, with himself in the starring role.