TIFF Buzz: 'I Play Rocky' Poised for Awards Season Run, Echoing 'Green Book' Path
Peter Farrelly's new film about the making of 'Rocky' premiered at TIFF to a standing ovation, drawing comparisons to his earlier Oscar-winning 'Green Book.' The movie, starring Anthony Ippolito as Sylvester Stallone, is expected to contend for the festival's audience award and major Academy Award nominations. Amazon/MGM plans a U.S. release on November 6.
The film's Toronto premiere drew sustained mid-scene applause and a lengthy standing ovation, with the crowd's enthusiasm echoing the festival response that propelled "Green Book" to its best picture win. Ippolito, who spoke with Stallone before filming, delivers a performance that closely replicates the actor's distinctive voice and physical presence, positioning him as a potential best actor contender in a competitive field.
Stallone has seen the finished film and reportedly approved of it, though he holds no financial stake in the project. This follows his 2022 public criticism of producer Irwin Winkler over franchise equity. Winkler, now 95, appears in a cameo, and the late Robert Chartoff's widow attended the premiere, suggesting the original production team endorses the portrayal.
The film's awards trajectory could reshape how Hollywood narratives about underdog success are packaged and consumed, potentially reinforcing audience appetite for feel-good origin stories during a period of industry uncertainty. Its reception may also influence how studios approach biographical films about living figures, particularly regarding consent and financial participation. The Stallone dynamic highlights broader questions about creative ownership and legacy, though the film's ultimate cultural footprint will depend on whether its Oscar campaign materializes.