Rocky Biopic Movie Finds Carl Weathers Actor

The upcoming Rocky biopic movie, titled I Play Rocky, has found an actor to portray Carl Weathers.

In May 2024, it was announced that Peter Farrelly had been tapped to direct I Play Rocky. The movie will detail how Sylvester Stallone fought tooth and nail to play the role of Rocky Balboa for the very first time in 1976’s Rocky, which was directed by John G. Avildsen and won the Best Picture Academy Award.

It was previously announced that Anthony Ippolito, known for starring in 2022’s Purple Hearts, will play a young Stallone in the film.

Who is playing Carl Weathers in the Rocky biopic movie?

Per Deadline, it has now been announced that Stephan James will play Carl Weathers in the Rocky biopic.

Weathers, who passed away in February 2024, played Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies. While Apollo is initially a foe that Rocky has to face in the ring, the two set their differences aside and team up in 1982’s Rocky III, creating a friendship that lasts until Apollo’s death in 1985’s Rocky IV.

James is known for playing Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt in Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, which was released in 2018, and Jesse Owens in 2016’s Race. His filmography further includes 2013’s Selma, 2015’s Across the Line, 2019’s 21 Bridges, 2024’s The Piano Lesson, and 2025’s Night Always Comes, among other titles. In television, James starred as Walter Cruz in Amazon’s Homecoming series, while he’s additionally appeared in shows such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, Clue, The L.A. Complex, Shots Fired, #FreeRayshawn, Surface, and Beacon 23.

The screenplay for I Play Rocky comes from Peter Gamble. Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha are producing the film, while FilmNation Entertainment is handling production services and international sales.

A release date for I Play Rocky has not yet been set.

Source: Comingsoon.net