Sylvester Stallone's historic "Rocky" story will be retold in Peter Farrelly's biographical drama, "I Play Rocky." In order to bring it to life, Farrelly had to flash back to how "Rocky" became a household name, and it started with Stallone selling his screenplay only if he was cast as the lead role.In the "I Play Rocky" trailer, Stallone – who is played by Anthony Ippolito – presents the script that he wrote in three days to movie producers.They offered him outrageous amounts of money for the script, but Stallone wouldn't budge.
Eventually, the producers gave in and cast Stallone in the role that changed his life.Experts told Fox News Digital this move from Stallone was highly unheard of at the time.Sylvester Stallone wrote "Rocky" in three days and refused to sell his screenplay unless he was cast as the lead role.(Getty Images)"It was unheard of at the time, especially for someone in Stallone's economic situation which was dire," film historian Dwight Cleveland said.
In the trailer, Stallone was seen working as a valet attendant when he created "Rocky."SYLVESTER STALLONE REVEALS GRUELING ‘ROCKY’ PREP: ‘IF YOU WANT IT TO FEEL REAL, YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT’Tisha Morris, entertainment attorney of Legacy Arts Law, said: "Stallone’s decision was extraordinarily unusual.Most first-time writers would have been expected to take the money and relinquish casting control."From a legal standpoint, Stallone had every right to pull the move he did."Legally, Stallone could retain the screenplay and impose that condition because he owned the copyright," she continued.
"However, the risk was whether the producers would simply walk away, leaving him with neither a sale nor a film.He was effectively betting the screenplay’s entire market value on himself as an actor."Cleveland said that Stallone acted just like his character in the movies when it came to the initial negotiations."Just like his character, Stallone had the confidence his story was a true winner, so he...