Sylvester Stallone sold his dog to survive before “Rocky” made him a star. A new film about that struggle, “I Play Rocky,” has opened its run with a standing ovation and Stallone’s reported approval. The Peter Farrelly-directed drama premiered Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It follows a 29-year-old Stallone, then a struggling actor, who wrote the “Rocky” script and refused to sell it unless he played the lead. He was so poor he sold his dog because he could not afford to feed the animal. Stallone later bought the dog, a bullmastiff named Butkus, back, and the animal appeared in the first two “Rocky” films.
Anthony Ippolito, 27, plays Stallone. Farrelly said Ippolito won the part with an audition tape sent before casting began. He previously played Al Pacino in the Paramount+ series “The Offer.” Ippolito called the experience “absolutely surreal.” Stephan James plays Carl Weathers, and the supporting cast includes AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, Toby Kebbell, Tracy Letts and Jay Duplass.
Stallone’s involvement drew some confusion. One reviewer wrote that Stallone had nothing to do with the production. Farrelly says otherwise. He told AFP he would not make the film without Stallone’s sign-off and thanked him before the premiere. After the screening, Farrelly said Stallone has seen the finished film, adding, “Sly liked it.” Ippolito said he spoke with Stallone before shooting began.
Early reviews run warm. JoBlo gave it a 9 out of 10, calling Ippolito uncanny and the film a loving homage. The same critic singled out a wrenching scene in which Stallone parts with Butkus. A more measured note comes from another critic. The film works, that writer said, even though it takes liberties with the true story. The stakes extend past one man’s biography. Stallone got “Rocky” made for under $1 million. The film won Best Picture in 1977. Observers already tip “I Play Rocky” as a contender at the 2027 Oscars.
Amazon MGM releases the film in theaters on Nov. 6.
