After Expecting to Judge Harshly, Sylvester Stallone Reveals Honest Review of I Play Rocky
Stallone praises Ippolito’s portrayal
In an interview with CBS Mornings, Stallone said he expected to be highly critical of Ippolito’s performance. Watching the film changed his view: he felt the actor captured his younger self’s walk and speech convincingly.
Stallone acknowledged getting “a little banged up” during training at New York’s Gleason’s Gym. Ippolito’s work involved recreating Stallone’s voice, mannerisms and boxing abilities as well as his appearance.
A shift from earlier comments
The film, directed by Peter Farrelly, stars Ippolito as a young Stallone. It traces the actor and screenwriter’s efforts to play the lead in his own script while facing opposition from Hollywood executives.
Reviews and Rocky’s legacy
I Play Rocky premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and debuted with a 74% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. The original Rocky has a 93% score.
ScreenRant reviewer George Bate gave the film 9/10, praising Ippolito’s transformation into Stallone. Stallone’s own positive response adds to the attention around that performance. The 1976 Rocky earned 10 Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Picture. The franchise grew to include six Rocky films and three Creed spinoffs.
Key points
- Stallone said Ippolito convincingly captured his younger self’s voice and mannerisms.
- The film follows Stallone’s fight to star in his own Rocky script.
- Stallone had earlier said he was shocked by the project and had no involvement.
- I Play Rocky debuted with a 74% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score.