Hitting theaters nationwide tomorrow is a brand-new film, I Play Rocky, which tells the astonishing true story behind Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar-winning classic, Rocky. Stallone, a Catholic revert, famously left hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table to ensure he played the lead role in the film he wrote in just three and a half days.
The new film stars Anthony Ippolito as Stallone and AnnaSophia Robb as his wife, Sasha. Catholic actor P.J. Byrne co-stars as legendary producer Irwin Winkler — one of two real-life producers who famously mortgaged their own homes to get the original movie made. Portraying Winkler marks one of the biggest roles yet for the 51-year-old Byrne, who recently opened up about the spiritual themes that resonate most with him in this new film.
While many view Rocky as the ultimate “dude movie” played on repeat in basement man-caves, Byrne insists Rocky is fundamentally a love story:
“I think it’s a love story, ultimately. You’ve got to remember that Rocky doesn’t win the fight. I think what God always tells us is that it’s the journey, how you interact with people, the hard work, and the choices you make along the way. He really is a beautiful, sweet man. Even though his profession is a thug, that guy’s a beautiful, sweet, soulful human being.”
The film captures Stallone’s gritty life before his big break — a period when he was living on the streets — and even forced to sell his beloved dog for $40 when he couldn't afford food. Though tempted to take jobs that would have compromised his soul, he stayed true to his convictions. Ultimately, the story celebrates triumph over darkness and the power of believing in your purpose when no one else does.
Byrne points to Rocky's selfless heart as a lesson for us all:
“The fact that he finds the girl, and they love each other, and the way he tries to take in her brother too... He’s always trying to do the right thing. I think that is an important message. For me, it comes back to: What do you believe in? Work hard, treat people with dignity and respect, believe in yourself, believe in the people around you... Anything is possible.”
Byrne grew up Roman Catholic, served as an altar boy for years, and attended Catholic institutions including Boston College and DePaul University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Jaime Nicole Padula — whom he married at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Hoboken — and their three children.
Directed by Peter Farrelly and written for the screen by Peter Gamble, I Play Rocky features standout comedic work from Byrne. Gamble praised the actor's natural humor on set:
“As a screenwriter, everyone’s adding to the movie. Every scene P.J. came into, he made it funnier. There is at least one great line in there that I did not write that he brought to it, and it's always the best line in the scene. He always brings that. It is such a gift.”
Catch I Play Rocky in theaters starting November 6th!
(Rated PG-13 for language and brief sexual references.)