Rocky franchise is getting a new movie, but there’s a twist

The Rocky franchise will be releasing a new movie, which will have a unique twist behind the scenes.

Eighteen years have passed since the release of the last official installment in the Rocky franchise, excluding the three Creed movies that have continued Balboa’s boxing legacy. Currently in development is a new film that chronicles the making of the original Rocky movie, highlighting the process that brought audiences one of the greatest sports films of all time.

Despite its humble beginnings, Rocky’s influence cannot be underestimated. It set the standard for all subsequent films in its genre, revolutionized the use of montages in movies, and forever altered our perception of steps. (Although we may not always sprint up them, the thought certainly crosses our minds.)

The upcoming film, titled I Play Rocky, will focus on Sylvester Stallone’s early days as an aspiring actor before he rose to fame as one of the top action stars in the industry. It will depict how he wrote the script for Rocky and, as the title suggests, his determination to play the lead role. Despite receiving a low salary, Stallone persisted in making and starring in the film, which would eventually become one of the most beloved sports franchises in history. The character of Rocky Balboa has since become an iconic American hero on the big screen.

Peter Farrelly, known for his work on films such as Green Book, There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber, and The Greatest Beer Run Ever, will both produce and direct the film, with the screenplay already written by Peter Gamble. Casting is currently in progress, with the role of a young Sylvester Stallone still to be cast.

In a statement, Toby Emmerich, the former Warner Bros. film chief and producer of the film, expressed his admiration for Peter Farrelly as both a filmmaker and a person. Emmerich first had the opportunity to work with Farrelly on the music for Dumb and Dumber, but it was Farrelly’s work on Green Book that truly made him consider him for this inspiring screenplay.

Christian Baha and I are grateful to have Pete leading the way for this film. Similar to the relatively unknown Stallone in Rocky, Pete will be embarking on a global search to find an aspiring actor who only needs one opportunity – in I Play Rocky – to showcase their talent to the world.

To discover even more options, be sure to browse through the top new movies available for streaming this month. Additionally, for additional coverage of sports, be sure to read our review of Challengers.