I Play Rocky, the movie that explores the making of Sylvester Stallone’s best-known film, has found its young Italian Stallion. The Amazon MGM movie, directed by Peter Farrelly of Dumb and Dumber, Stuck on You, and The Green Book fame, is set to dramatize the making of Rocky, which catapulted Stallone to stardom in 1976.

The movie will highlight Stallone’s drive as the creative force behind Rocky, as his determination to get the film made–and to star in it himself–is something of a Hollywood legend in itself. I Play Rocky will show Stallone being told “no” only to fight for what would eventually become his greatest triumph and win the actor a Best Picture Oscar.

Now, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Anthony Ippolito has been tapped to appear as young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky. Ippolito is known in part for playing Al Pacino in the limited series The Offer.

What Anthony Ippolito’s Casting Means For I Play Rocky

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed encouraging information about the process by which Anthony Ippolito landed his role as Stallone. “Upon first hearing about the project”, the publication reported, “he made an unsolicited audition tape on his own and sent it directly to the producers.”

This approach is notable because it echoes how Sylvester Stallone’s best franchise came to be. With Stallone famously pursuing his dream to get Rocky made with unflagging determination, Ippolito’s approach suggests that the young actor has a drive and mindset well-suited for the needs of the story.

Our Take On Anthony Ippolito’s Casting

Anthony Ippolito attracted attention for his take on Al Pacino in The Offer, which was notably bold. That kind of commitment bodes well for I Play Rocky, as part of the charm of Stallone, the movie, and the character of Rocky Balboa alike is their all-in mentality and commitment.

While a striking resemblance isn’t always key to a successful biopic, Ippolito also looks enough like Sylvester Stallone that buying the actor’s portrayal of the movie star should be quite easy. Side-by-side comparisons of Ippolito and Stallone reveal certain similar features that make it no difficult task to imagine the young actor embodying the role successfully.

There have been documentaries about the making of Rocky and the building of the now-iconic franchise, but the dramatized take promised by I Play Rocky is exciting, even if Stallone is reportedly not involved in the film. While it might be nice to have Stallone’s input on his own dramatization, Ippolito is likely to deliver a compelling performance regardless.