In a nostalgic reflection on Hollywood’s golden era, Frank Stallone shared his emotions about the upcoming release of the biopic *I Play Rocky*, which chronicles the life of his brother, Sylvester Stallone. Speaking at the premiere held on 24th October 2026 during the AFI Festival in Los Angeles, Frank noted the significance of seeing Sylvester’s journey portrayed on screen fifty years after the release of the original *Rocky* film.
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At 76 years old, Frank expressed a mix of sentiments at the premiere, particularly reflecting on how long it has been since they first embarked on their Hollywood careers. “It’s a lot of different emotions. Sentimental,” he remarked, considering the passage of time since *Rocky’s* debut in 1976, which marked a pivotal moment in cinema history. He also reminisced about the many individuals who contributed to the film’s success but are no longer around to witness this new portrayal of events.
The new film features Anthony Ippolito, who takes on the role of a young Sylvester Stallone during the making of *Rocky*. Frank highlighted the sheer brilliance of the project’s concept, remarking, “This is pretty amazing. A movie about a guy trying to make the movie.” He acknowledged the interesting circumstances around the film; imagining a scenario where Ippolito could win an Oscar for his performance while Sylvester had not won for the original work provides a fascinating backdrop to their shared narrative.
Sylvester’s story, as depicted in *I Play Rocky*, delves into his formative years as an actor in the 1970s, including his first marriage to Sasha Czack, portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb. It captures the remarkable journey of a man who not only wrote but also starred in the iconic movie that changed his life. While Frank made a brief appearance in the original *Rocky*, he noted that he does not feature in this new film but still sees the deeper connection to their shared experiences in the industry.
Frank reminisced about their early struggles, highlighting the humble beginnings they both faced while pursuing their dreams. “I was living in an £80 a month apartment. He was living in a £90 apartment,” he recalled, illustrating their parallel journeys as young men aiming for success in a challenging industry. Reflecting on their youthful optimism, he expressed that, at that time, such obstacles seemed inconsequential compared to their aspirations. “When you’re that young, you’re all so full of positive vigor,” he said.
Additionally, the film paints a complex portrait of their father, Frank Stallone Sr., who had a tumultuous relationship with Sylvester, portrayed by actor Matt Dillon. The cast also includes notable names such as P.J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell, Jay Duplass, Tracy Letts, and Stephan James, adding depth to the narrative of this iconic family.
Reflecting on his and Sylvester’s careers, Frank expressed pride in their longevity within a notoriously competitive industry. “This is a very tough, brutal cutthroat business, and to still be standing at my age and his age, it’s pretty amazing when you think about it,” he stated. He further remarked on the unique milestone of actors attaining statues in their honour, noting, “Not many actors get a statue of themselves, so it’s pretty wild.”
With the release of *I Play Rocky* scheduled for 6th November, anticipation builds among fans eager to witness the retelling of this inspiring story. As Frank Stallone continues to celebrate his brother’s legacy, this biopic promises to provide not just insight into Sylvester’s life, but also a nostalgic nod to a transformative period in film history.