‘I Play Rocky’ Trailer Reveals Anthony Ippolito’s Unbelievable Sylvester Stallone Transformation

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

The first trailer for I Play Rocky has officially arrived, and before we even get into the incredible true story behind the film, we need to talk about Anthony Ippolito.

Because the resemblance is absolutely unreal.

Ippolito steps into the role of a young Sylvester Stallone in the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film, and there are moments throughout the first trailer where you may genuinely have to look twice. From Stallone's signature facial expressions and mannerisms to his voice and physical appearance, Ippolito appears to have completely disappeared into the role.

This is more than throwing on a wig and recreating an iconic Hollywood look. Based on this first footage, Ippolito seems committed to capturing the hungry, determined Stallone who existed before Rocky became a cinematic phenomenon.

The Incredible True Story Behind ‘Rocky’

Directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly, I Play Rocky explores the remarkable true story behind Stallone's fight to bring Rocky to the big screen.

Long before Rocky Balboa became one of the most recognizable characters in movie history, Stallone was an unknown actor and writer holding onto a story he believed could change everything. The future Hollywood star famously fought for the opportunity to play Rocky himself, refusing to simply hand over his screenplay and walk away from the character.

That determination would ultimately lead to the 1976 release of Rocky, launching a franchise, transforming Stallone into a global movie star, and creating one of cinema's greatest underdog stories.

Now, audiences are getting a movie about the underdog story behind the underdog story.

And if this first trailer is any indication, Anthony Ippolito may be the perfect actor to bring that chapter of Stallone's life to the screen.

Watch Anthony Ippolito Become Sylvester Stallone

The first trailer offers our best look yet at Ippolito's transformation, and his resemblance to Stallone deserves serious praise. There is an attention to detail here that immediately makes the performance one of the film's biggest talking points.

But Anthony Ippolito isn't the only actor who immediately caught our attention.

Stephan James steps into the role of the late Carl Weathers, and even in these brief moments, his mannerisms feel incredibly on point. There is a confidence, charisma and natural coolness to the way James carries himself that instantly brings Weathers to mind. It's another transformation that goes beyond simply looking the part, and if this first footage is any indication, James may have captured the presence that made Weathers such an unforgettable force both on and off screen.

More importantly, the footage suggests Ippolito isn't relying solely on the physical similarities. His performance appears focused on Stallone's persistence, confidence and almost unbelievable willingness to bet on himself when Hollywood had little reason to do the same.

That's the version of Sylvester Stallone we want to see explored.

Anthony Ippolito Could Be the Knockout Performance to Watch

Portraying a living Hollywood icon comes with an entirely different level of pressure, especially when that icon has a voice, presence and personality as recognizable as Stallone.

Go too far and the performance becomes an impression. Hold back too much and audiences may never fully see the person being portrayed.

From what we've seen in the first I Play Rocky trailer, Ippolito appears to be walking that line impressively.

We have to give the actor his flowers early because the transformation immediately grabbed our attention. The resemblance gets you through the door, but it's the passion behind his portrayal of a young Stallone that has us curious to see the full performance.

Peter Farrelly's film also has the advantage of telling a Hollywood story that already feels tailor-made for the big screen. Fans know Rocky Balboa's journey, but Stallone's own fight to play the Italian Stallion is every bit as fascinating.

‘I Play Rocky’ Arrives in Theaters This November

With its first trailer now officially out, I Play Rocky is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing true-story films on our radar.

Anthony Ippolito's incredible resemblance to Sylvester Stallone will undoubtedly get people talking, but if his full performance carries the same conviction seen in this first footage, audiences could be looking at much more than an impressive transformation.

This could be a real knockout.

Amazon MGM Studios will release I PLAY ROCKY in theaters everywhere this November.