'I Play Rocky' revisits Stallone's extraordinary rise: 'Amazing things can happen when you have faith'

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Entertainment Editor Friday, November 06, 2026

The story of how Sylvester Stallone went from a struggling, nearly penniless actor to one of Hollywood's biggest stars is a testament to unwavering faith and the life-changing power of having someone believe in you, according to actor P.J. Byrne.

Nearly 50 years after "Rocky" became an unlikely box-office phenomenon and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the new film "I Play Rocky" revisits the extraordinary circumstances behind the 1976 classic, including Stallone's refusal to sell his screenplay unless he could portray the title character himself.

Directed by Oscar winner Peter Farrelly, the PG-13 film stars Anthony Ippolito as Stallone and Byrne as legendary Hollywood producer Irwin Winkler, who, alongside producing partner Robert Chartoff, took a considerable financial and professional risk to bring the film to life, even mortgaging their own homes.

In an interview with The Christian Post, the 46-year-old actor said the story offers a reminder that success often requires sacrifice and people willing to recognize potential where others see only risk.

"If you do the work, truly, if you really do the work, and you believe in yourself, and you surround yourself with like-minded people that believe in you as well, anything is possible," Byrne told CP. "To a point where maybe one day you can also win an Oscar.”

“He was Sylvester Stallone, had no money. His wife is pregnant. He just sold his dog for 40 bucks, and in today's money, they're essentially offering him $2 million,” he said. "And he has the faith to believe in himself and go, no, it's not about the money. It's about something bigger. And I know if I don't do this, I won't be able to live with myself. And look what happened.”

For Byrne, whose credits include "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Green Book," the film's message of perseverance reflects his own story. Before becoming an actor, he was preparing for a career on Wall Street when a college professor encouraged him to pursue a different path, an experience he said helped him understand the bond between Stallone and the producers who believed in him.

"There's certain people in your lives that believe in you that you trust, and you believe in them, and you go, 'This is crazy. But like, OK, let's go,'" he said. "I walked away from a job on Wall Street, and that's a crazy thing to do that because someone believed in me. But then you have to at some point believe in yourself."

Byrne reflected on the spiritual aspects of the story, particularly the convergence of people, both personal and professional, and circumstances that made "Rocky" possible against all odds.

"I think faith is a big part. I think faith is a big part in storytelling forever," he said. "I personally believe there's something bigger ... that our choices matter."

"Someone passes away, I still feel the connection. My father just passed away. I still feel him connected with me," he said. "He still believes in me. Peter Farrelly believed in me. These guys believed in Sylvester Stallone, and still amazing things can happen when you have faith. Truly."

Written by Peter Gamble, "I Play Rocky" chronicles Stallone's early struggles as an aspiring actor and screenwriter, including his financial hardships, professional rejection and determination to maintain creative control over the project that would ultimately change his life. 

The Amazon MGM film also touches on Stallone’s personal life, including his fractured relationship with his father, which helped inform the “Rocky” story, and his marriage to his first wife, Sasha.

In just three days, Stallone develops the screenplay for "Rocky" and attracts interest from Hollywood producers who recognize its potential but are initially reluctant to cast the relatively unknown actor in the lead role.

Despite increasingly lucrative offers for the script, Stallone refuses to relinquish his dream of portraying Rocky Balboa, a decision that puts his financial future at risk, but ultimately convinces Winkler and Chartoff of his commitment.

The ensemble cast includes Toby Kebbell as Chartoff, Jay Duplass as director John G. Avildsen, AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon, Tracy Letts and Stephan James.

Byrne said he was particularly drawn to Winkler because he had witnessed the legendary producer's influence firsthand while working on Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street," which Winkler helped produce.

"When Irwin Winkler comes on set to have a conversation with the great Marty Scorsese, these two legends, there's 1,000 people who are completely silent," Byrne recalled. "It's the wildest thing."

When he learned Farrelly was developing a film about the making of "Rocky," Byrne said he immediately wanted the opportunity to portray Winkler, adding: “I have to play this part.’ [Irwin] is still producing. He remembers 50 years ago when they made the movie like it's 15 minutes ago. He's brilliant.”

Byrne and Kebbell also worked to capture the understated chemistry between Winkler and Chartoff, whose partnership helped make the original "Rocky" possible.

"They interact so much just through looks, and they have full conversations and finish each other's sentences just on a vibe," he said.

Eventually, the producers realize that Stallone's determination to star in his film is evidence of just how special the project was. The original "Rocky," produced on a budget of $1 million, went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 1976 and received 10 Academy Award nominations, winning three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

"When you're making movies, there's an extra sauce that you can't pay for," he said. "There's like a thing that someone in the crew or the cast or the director, whatever, they're gonna bring that extra sauce, and I think they're starting to see it in his commitment."

"It's not about the product; it's about the people," he said. "We end up mortgaging our house for the film because we believe in Sylvester Stallone too much."

According to the actor, even the making of "I Play Rocky" is an example of filmmakers recognizing potential in unexpected places. Ippolito, who portrays Stallone, was a relatively unknown 25-year-old actor from Long Island when Farrelly cast him in the demanding role. Gamble, meanwhile, had spent decades teaching before writing the screenplay.

"Everybody is taking a chance on everybody in this film and servicing it in a way where, like, I think you're the right person. I think you're the right person. I think you're the right person, and we're just believing in the process and each other," he said.

"Anthony's performance is spectacular to a point where, you know, I've been lucky enough to be in some really special movies and watch some special Oscar-winning performances," he said. 

"Did Sylvester Stallone travel through space and time and possess a 25-year-old kid ... and take over, and is just doing a scene with us right now? That's how special his performance is, and it's grounded, and it's soulful, and it's genuine."

While the original “Rocky” film ultimately became an Oscar-winning cultural phenomenon, Byrne said its greatest lesson lies in Stallone's willingness to risk everything for a dream he believed was worth pursuing.

"It's just really a special story,” he said. 

“I Play Rocky” debuts in select theaters on Nov. 6 and will be in theaters everywhere later in November.