Philadelphia has plenty of iconic landmarks, but few are as recognizable around the world as the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Thanks to Rocky, the City of Brotherly Love became forever connected to one of Hollywood’s most beloved underdog stories. Now, 50 years after the original movie debuted, a new film is taking audiences behind the scenes to tell the incredible story of how it all began. 

I Play Rocky, arriving in theaters November 20, explores the real-life struggle Sylvester Stallone faced to bring his famous boxing character to the big screen. And believe it or not, the biggest fight wasn’t inside the boxing ring. It was getting Hollywood to believe in him. 

Did you know Stallone wrote the original Rocky screenplay in just three and a half days? At the time, he was an unknown, struggling actor with a big idea and an even bigger dream. While Hollywood producers recognized the potential of his script, they had something else in mind for the leading role. They wanted an established, recognizable actor to play Rocky Balboa. 

Stallone had other plans. He didn’t just want to sell his screenplay. He wanted to be the one bringing Rocky to life. Despite the pressure and the opportunities, he could have gained by simply selling the script; he refused to give up his vision. His determination to play the character became a fight of its own, and that unlikely journey eventually helped create one of the most celebrated sports movies in film history. 

Director Peter Farrelly, along with actors Anthony Ippolito, who portrays Sylvester Stallone, and AnnaSophia Robb, stopped by WMGK on Monday, November 2, to talk about I Play Rocky and the story behind the movie. Check out our interview and get a closer look at the people bringing this incredible Philadelphia story to life. 

With the original Rocky celebrating its 50th anniversary in November 2026, the timing couldn’t be better. For Philadelphia, the movie is more than a Hollywood classic. It’s part of the city’s identity. From the iconic training montage and Rocky’s run through the streets to that unforgettable sprint up the Art Museum steps, the film captured the heart, grit and determination that Philadelphians still celebrate today. 

After watching I Play Rocky, you might find yourself wondering why Hollywood waited so long to tell the story behind the making of such an iconic movie. It’s a remarkable reminder that sometimes the biggest obstacles come before the cameras even start rolling. 

There’s also a special reason to stick around until the very end. Don’t leave when the credits begin! The film includes vintage footage of Sylvester Stallone appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 50 years ago. During the appearance, Carson makes a comment that perfectly sums up the unbelievable journey behind the original movie: “If they made a movie about how this movie (Rocky) came about, you wouldn’t believe it.” 

The story was written by Peter Gamble, and Stallone himself read the screenplay and gave Farrelly his blessing to bring it to the screen. 

So, Philly, get ready to revisit the story behind the movie that helped put our city on the map. I Play Rocky opens in theaters November 20, and this time, the spotlight is on the fighter who refused to give up before Rocky ever made it to the ring. 

Special thanks to R. Kimber David for videotaping the interview and to Amazon MGM Studios for providing footage from the film. 

This article was written by Cyndy Drue. Listen to her on the air on WMGK Saturdays 11am-4pm. You can reach out to her at cyndy@wmgk.com