In interviews, the 79-year-old Hollywood star has often told how he wrote his self-written script for the first Rockyfilm (1976) was trying to sell. Several film companies wanted it, but saw no point in Stallone’s plan to play the leading role himself.
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In the 1970s he had a rather questionable reputation for roles in B-movies, which gave him the nickname The Italian Stallion yielded. But he adhered to this strict condition; then just a less prominent studio and less money. It would prove to be a decision that would change his life forever. It is not surprising that everyone was enthusiastic about the script. It was not without reason that the film was awarded an Oscar, especially for its script.
Sylvester Stallone became a millionaire thanks to his hit film Rocky and everything that would follow. © ANP/HH
I Play Rocky
Sly became a multi-millionaire because of this film, its sequels and everything else Rocky was distracted. Vietnam veteran Johnny Rambo, also played by Stallone, also contributed. The story of how a relatively unknown actor does his best to sell his story to Hollywood is the subject of the upcoming biopic half a century later. I Play Rocky – the words that Sylvester kept repeating when he was received by a film boss again.
Actor Anthony Ippolito was spotted in New Jersey this week on the set of the upcoming biopic I Play Rocky. © Getty Images
The biggest problem for the makers, however, was finding a credible leading actor who has both the physicality and striking appearance of Sylvester Stallone. Ultimately, they ended up with 26-year-old Anthony Ippolito. The American actor meets all the conditions and resembles Sly in even more ways. When he heard that the story would be made into a film, he sent a video himself in which he offered himself.
The recordings have now started. It is not yet known who will play Rocky’s wife Adrian, nor what the role of Sylvester Stallone himself will be, or whether there would be one at all. He was initially surprised: “If anyone knows what happened back then, it’s me. But no one asked me anything.”