Stephan James to Play Carl Weathers in Amazon’s ‘I Play Rocky’ Biopic

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A new actor has joined the cast of Peter Farrelly’s upcoming I Play Rocky biopic, which will delve into the challenging making of the 1976 boxing film. Anthony Ippolito is already set to play Sylvester Stallone, after recently portraying Al Pacino in The Offer, the miniseries about the creation of The Godfather. Now, Amazon MGM Studios has added another actor to play Carl Weathers, who is well-known for his role as Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s powerful opponent in the film series.

As reported by Deadline, Stephan James is now part of the cast of I Play Rocky, where he will play Carl Weathers. James is a well-known actor, having delivered powerful performances in movies such as If Beale Street Could Talk, Race, and Selma. He even received a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the Prime Video thriller Homecoming, alongside Julia Roberts. This new role is a great fit for him, as he’s become recognized for playing real people. He was previously also planning to star in and produce a limited series about the life of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, playing the late artist himself.

I’m really excited about this new Rocky movie! You might know the director, Peter Farrelly, because he’s behind some fantastic biographical films like the Best Picture winner Green Book and the really enjoyable The Greatest Beer Run Ever. He’s working from a script by Peter Gamble, who’s relatively new to the scene, but Farrelly himself has said it’s “one of the best scripts” he’s ever encountered. It sounds like a story worth telling on the big screen, and thankfully, Amazon MGM Studios agrees – they’re planning a theatrical release, which is great news considering how some other studios are handling their big releases these days.

What Is ‘I Play Rocky’ About?


Annapurna Pictures

I Play Rocky recounts the inspiring story of Sylvester Stallone and his fight to create Rocky, insisting on starring as the main character despite studio pressure to cast a more famous actor. The film’s description explains that “A struggling actor, facing physical challenges with his face and speech, writes a screenplay that a major studio wants to purchase, but he won’t sell unless he’s allowed to play the lead role.” He turned down a substantial offer to instead work for very little money, determined to star in his own movie. The film became a massive success in 1976, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and winning Best Picture. This is the true story behind the making of the iconic film Rocky.

Sylvester Stallone’s hard work and perseverance finally led to success with Rocky, which was a major hit with both critics and audiences. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and became a lasting part of popular culture, solidifying Stallone’s place as a Hollywood star. Throughout his long career, he’s taken on many memorable action roles in various film series, such as Rambo and The Expendables. The Rocky series itself has grown into a successful franchise with five sequels (four directed by Stallone) and three Creed spin-offs. However, it appears Stallone isn’t finished with the story yet, as reports suggest he’s developing a Rocky prequel series.

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2025-10-03 18:32