Anthony Ippolito Describes Physical Transformation and On-Set Challenges for 'I Play Rocky'

Preparing for the Role

Actor Anthony Ippolito underwent a rigorous physical transformation to portray Sylvester Stallone in Peter Farrelly’s upcoming film, *I Play Rocky*. To embody Stallone’s signature physique, Ippolito spent nearly two years increasing his weight from 150 to 180 pounds through dedicated training at Brooklyn’s Gleason’s Gym.

Working With Butkus

Beyond physical changes, Ippolito navigated the complexities of working with a canine co-star. On his first day of filming, he shared scenes with the dog cast as Butkus, Stallone’s real-life companion. Ippolito noted the dog initially showed little interest in him, though he eventually bonded with the animal using treats.

*I Play Rocky* chronicles Stallone’s 1976 struggle to bring the original *Rocky* film to screen. The cast also includes AnnaSophia Robb and Stephan James. The film hits theaters in limited release on November 6, followed by a wide release on November 20. Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/i-play-rocky-anthony-ippolito-sylvester-stallone-dog-1236930482/