‘I Play Rocky’, a forthcoming biographical drama directed by Peter Farrelly, will retell how Sylvester Stallone risked his career to write and star in ‘Rocky’. The story matters because Stallone’s insistence on playing the lead, despite being an unknown actor, turned a modest boxing film into a defining Hollywood success and made him a star.

The film focuses on Stallone’s decision to reject offers for his screenplay unless he was cast as Rocky Balboa, even as he faced financial pressure. ‘Rocky’ was made for about $1 million, earned more than $225 million worldwide and won three Oscars, including Best Picture; Stallone was nominated for both acting and writing. The article also notes that Dolph Lundgren has described his professional relationship with Stallone during ‘Rocky IV’ developing into friendship.