Sylvester Stallone cheers on the lookalike actor…
He’s acquired the eye of the Sylvester.
“Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone despatched his best needs on Sunday to the workforce of his new biopic, “I Play Rocky,” including the actor who will soon embody his youthful self onscreen.
“The movie ‘I play Rocky’ [sic] started filming Friday,” Stallone, 79, wrote in an Instagram post alongside a photograph of Anthony Ippolito working on a seashore. “Good luck to them – keep punching!!!”
Sylvester Stallone told the workforce of “I Play Rocky,” including actor Anthony Ippolito (above), to “keep on punching!” amazonmgmstudios/Instagram
Ippolito, 25, will play an early-career Stallone. GC Images
The 25-year-old Islip native, who’s a useless ringer for Sly, isn’t selecting up the gloves of Rocky Balboa, though.
He’s taking part in an early-career Stallone — from the Sixties to ‘76 — as the showbiz unknown wrote and eventually starred in “Rocky” all the way to a Best Picture Oscar win over the likes of “Network,” “All The President’s Men” and “Taxi Driver.”
It’s the final Hollywood underdog story.
The Amazon MGM movie, which has no release date yet, will probably be directed by Peter Farrelly, whose “Green Book” gained Best Picture in 2019.
Casting news has slowly trickled out. Last week, Deadline reported that PJ Byrne will play producer Irwin Winkler, Toby Kebbell is producer Robert Chartoff, Tracy Letts is a composite of studio execs and Jay Duplass will probably be “Rocky” director John Avildsen.
Stallone wrote and starred in “Rocky,” which turned into a nine-film franchise. ©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
The “Rocky” franchise continues to be a large Hollywood moneymaker. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Previously it was revealed that AnnaSophia Robb will play Stallone’s ex-wife Sasha Czack, Matt Dillon will probably be Frank Stallone Sr. and Stephan James will deal with the half of Apollo Creed actor Carl Weathers, who died in 2024.
“I Play Rocky” isn’t Ippolito’s first time changing into a screen legend. In the Paramount+ restricted collection “The Offer,” the actor also performed Oscar winner Al Pacino.
The nine-movie “Rocky” franchise continues to be a large Hollywood moneymaker. The three “Creed” movies starring Michael B. Jordan have grossed a mixed $664 million worldwide.
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