Home / Arts and Entertainment / Actor's Bold Unsolicited Audition Lands Rocky Role
Actor's Bold Unsolicited Audition Lands Rocky Role
4 Nov
Summary
- Actor sent unsolicited audition tapes to director Peter Farrelly.
- He portrayed a young Al Pacino in 'The Offer' previously.
- Stallone approved of Ippolito's portrayal in the film.
Anthony Ippolito, 27, took an unconventional approach to secure the role of Sylvester Stallone in "I Play Rocky." He sent unsolicited audition tapes directly to director Peter Farrelly, a strategy that immediately impressed the filmmaker.
Farrelly, who had previously admired Ippolito's transformation of a young Al Pacino in "The Offer," found Ippolito's portrayal of Stallone to be nuanced, avoiding caricature. The actor focused on stripping away the celebrity to reveal the person beneath, delving into Stallone's challenging upbringing and isolation.
"I Play Rocky" highlights Stallone's unwavering determination to write and star in the original "Rocky," reportedly turning down significant offers to maintain creative control. Ippolito found this commitment to his dream incredibly compelling.
AnnaSophia Robb, who plays Stallone's first wife Sasha, noted Ippolito's dedicated year-and-a-half preparation for the role. Sylvester Stallone himself has seen the film and praised Ippolito's performance, calling it fantastic and noting the unusual timing of such a film being made about him.
