“Matt Dillon to Play Sylvester Stallone’s Abusive Father in Shocking ‘Rocky’ Biopic”

“Matt Dillon to Play Sylvester Stallone’s Abusive Father in Shocking ‘Rocky’ Biopic”

Matt Dillon Joins 'I Play Rocky' as Sylvester Stallone’s Father

Oscar-nominated actor Matt Dillon has officially joined the cast of I Play Rocky, the upcoming behind-the-scenes biopic about the making of the original Rocky movie. Dillon will portray Frank Stallone Sr., the tough, complicated father of Sylvester Stallone, in the Amazon MGM Studios drama directed by Peter Farrelly.

The film dives into the real-life struggles behind one of Hollywood’s most iconic underdog stories — not just in the ring, but behind the camera. Anthony Ippolito stars as a young Sylvester Stallone, fighting not just for a role in a movie, but to play the role he wrote for himself: Rocky Balboa.


Who Was Frank Stallone Sr.?

Frank Stallone Sr., an Italian immigrant, was a self-made man who arrived in the U.S. as a teenager. He built a career as a barber and eventually owned a network of salons and beauty schools on the East Coast.

But behind his public charisma, Frank had a dark and abusive side, something Sylvester Stallone has opened up about in recent years — especially in the 2023 Netflix documentary Sly. In it, Stallone described his father as physically and emotionally harsh.
“My father was Rambo in reality. Nothing was ever settled verbally,” he said.

Despite the difficult relationship, Sylvester always sought his father’s approval — even giving him a small role in the original Rocky as the timekeeper.

That complex emotional dynamic will be explored through Dillon’s portrayal, bringing weight and depth to the film’s narrative.


What Is I Play Rocky About?

Directed by Peter Farrelly (Green Book), I Play Rocky is based on the true story of how a struggling actor named Sylvester Stallone refused to give up on his dream.

The script, written by Peter Gamble, follows Stallone’s unwavering belief that he wasn’t just born to write Rocky — he was born to be Rocky. Even as studios offered to buy his script, he famously refused to sell unless he could star in the film himself.

Everyone told him no. He said yes anyway.

The film will capture Stallone’s fight to prove himself and protect his vision — against overwhelming odds. It’s not just the story of Rocky the movie — it’s the real-life Rocky story behind the scenes.


Who Else Is in the Cast?

  • Anthony Ippolito (This Is the Night, Younger) plays young Sylvester Stallone.
  • Stephan James (Race, If Beale Street Could Talk) plays Carl Weathers, the actor who portrayed Apollo Creed, Rocky’s rival-turned-friend.
  • AnnaSophia Robb was recently announced as Sasha Czack, Stallone’s first wife.

The film’s producers include Toby Emmerich and Christian Baha, and it’s being developed for a theatrical release, not streaming.

FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales and production services.


Why Matt Dillon Is a Perfect Fit

Matt Dillon has had a long and diverse career, and he’s no stranger to gritty, emotionally layered roles. He received an Oscar nomination for playing a corrupt LAPD officer in Crash, a character with similar emotional weight to Frank Stallone Sr.

He’s also shown his versatility with performances in classics like:

  • The Outsiders
  • Rumble Fish
  • Drugstore Cowboy
  • There’s Something About Mary (for a comedic twist)

More recently, Dillon appeared in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City and the Apple TV+ series High Desert.

With this role, Dillon gets a chance to tap into both his dramatic strengths and his ability to portray layered, deeply flawed characters.


Why This Film Could Be a Sleeper Hit

Biopics about iconic films or creators are having a moment. From Air (about Nike signing Michael Jordan) to Blackberry and Tetris, Hollywood is leaning into origin stories.

But I Play Rocky brings something different:
A double underdog story — one in front of the camera, one behind it.

You know Rocky as the ultimate boxing underdog. Now you’ll see how Stallone had to fight like Rocky just to get the movie made.

Add in family drama, industry roadblocks, and personal battles, and you have the ingredients for a compelling, emotional, and inspirational drama — especially with a director like Peter Farrelly, who knows how to balance heart and humor.


What To Expect Next

Production is underway, and casting announcements have been rolling out steadily. With its high-profile names and universal themes of grit and determination, I Play Rocky is shaping up to be more than just a “movie about a movie.”

It’s about a man who bet everything on himself — and won.

Expect more casting news and a trailer sometime in 2025 as the film moves closer to its theatrical release.