If there is any type of movie that is easy to greenlight in 2026, it’s those based on popular IP. From comic book movies to book adaptations, Hollywood has recently become a machine that pumps out projects based on material that people already like. Every once in a while, however, a movie like Obsession comes out and takes the world by storm and becomes a phenomenon. In 1976, that movie was Rocky: an inspiring, underdog sports drama that audiences fell in love with. 50 years later, I Play Rocky attempts to showcase what the Sylvester Stallone film did while still being the IP movie that Hollywood likes to release.

The film follows a 26-year-old Sylvester “Mike” Stallone (Anthony Ippolito) as he struggles to make ends meet. Sleeping on the street and unable to afford a place to live, Sylvester jumps from job to job as he attempts to make a career out of acting. After meeting his soon-to-be wife Sasha (AnnaSophia Robb), inspiration forms in his mind as he begins to write screenplays. After a slew of rejections from producers, one script became a hit: Rocky. The rest of the film chronicles the hardships that went into getting that movie off the ground and into cinemas, as well as the physical and mental turmoils that Stallone went through. 

I Play Rocky is obviously referential to Rocky, disclosing how many aspects of the original film came to be and what had to be done to get there. It’s also a movie about the power of original storytelling, passion and putting your all into something. For films like this, a dilemma occurs. Can a movie promote original storytelling while also being reliant on references to other properties? Director Peter Farrelly responds to this just how Peter Parker would, when asked how he can be both himself and Spider-Man: “I’m both.”

Every movie has to overcome a slew of obstacles in order to be made, and I Play Rocky nails this aspect. From going over the allotted budget to sicknesses and injuries, the film makes it appear as if no other movie has gone through worse, and after watching the film, it wouldn’t be shocking if that were true. Especially with Sylvester Stallone’s physical shape, it is apparent how difficult of a job it was to create the project, which gave the film a brisk pace and high tension.

Anthony Ippolito looks like a carbon copy of young Sylvester Stallone, but that’s not the only reason why he was the perfect casting. He nails Stallone’s distinctive voice, but his physicality and attentiveness in every scene makes Sylvester Stallone a compelling protagonist. Peter Gamble’s screenplay could’ve easily relied on the celebrity name to allow for audience connection, but Ippolito puts his all into what is easily one of the strongest lead performances of the year. Similar to Stallone in 1976, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ippolito became a household name after his work in this.

I Play Rocky is less a recreation of Rocky and more of a decontextualization. Instead of remaking classic moments for nostalgia’s sake, it displays what each aspect of the movie meant to the creatives. A sequence involving Sylvester filming a monologue is the perfect example of this, turning from a simple recreation of a scene from Rocky to Sylvester displaying his childhood traumas and unsteady relationship with his father. This reframe not only adds context to Rocky, but builds a strong foundation for the existence of I Play Rocky. It showcases that moviemaking isn’t just a job, but a method to confront oneself, which makes for a slew of powerful scenes. 

Although the movie flows at a nice pace, there are times where I Play Rocky includes scenes that don’t add much to the overall narrative. It spends much of the first half discussing how the movie got greenlit and the obstacles that came their way, and while those events likely did happen, it starts to become repetitive. There are also moments during the production of Rocky where characters are introduced to other obstacles, but never stated how they fixed them, which made me wonder why they were even introduced in the first place. 

I Play Rocky may play out like one would expect, but the committed acting and sharp screenplay made for a relentlessly watchable experience that’s simultaneously empowering and heartfelt. Being an IP film while promoting original stories in a competent manner is a hard line to balance, but Peter Farrelly and company succeed in nearly all aspects. There aren’t many movies that will make you feel as inspired and passionate as Rocky, but this movie comes damn close.

I Play Rocky premiered as a Spotlight Screening at the 35th Heartland International Film Festival. The movie will be released in theaters on November 20th.

OSCAR POTENTIAL:

• Movies about movies often appear at the Academy Awards in some capacity, and with how much Rocky was loved by the awards show, it is easy to see I Play Rocky performing well.. If reviews stay positive and it is successful at the box office, this could likely be a Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay contender. If the film ends up being a top five contender for the Best Picture prize, Best Casting, Best Editing and Best Supporting Actress could be in the cards.