Amazon MGM Studios’ “I Play Rocky” is approaching a key Oscar submission deadline with its screenplay classification unresolved. Discussions involving the studio, the film’s creative team, the Writers Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have examined whether Peter Gamble’s script belongs in original or adapted screenplay. Neither category has been confirmed.
The film follows Sylvester Stallone’s creation of “Rocky,” which he wrote in three days. Gamble developed his screenplay independently, without basing it on a particular book, article, memoir or other published work. Bellevue Productions brought the script to Christian Baha of Baha Films, who joined Toby Emmerich as a producer. Peter Farrelly, whose “Green Book” won best picture, later signed on to direct.
The classification question stems from the film’s use of material from the 1976 movie. “I Play Rocky” recreates several familiar scenes and includes established characters such as Rocky Balboa, Adrian and Apollo Creed. Sources said some people within the organizations involved were considering whether those elements make adapted screenplay the appropriate category. Amazon MGM and the Academy declined to comment.
The Academy’s Writers Branch executive committee will make the decision without a WGA classification to consult. Although Gamble belongs to the guild, the production did not operate under a WGA signatory agreement, making it ineligible for the guild’s awards and classification process. Academy rules generally place scripts drawing on existing films or characters in adapted screenplay, while allowing true stories developed through a writer’s own research and multiple sources to compete as originals. The committee can request a statement from credited writers, but its ruling cannot be appealed.
Previous decisions offer examples in both directions. The Academy placed “Barbie” in adapted screenplay despite an original classification from the WGA and Warner Bros.’ campaign in that category. “Moonlight,” “Whiplash” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” also moved from the guild’s original category to the Academy’s adapted field. However, films about entertainment history, including “Saving Mr. Banks,” “Saturday Night” and “Mank,” were treated as original screenplays. None received a writing nomination.
Unlike a sequel or spinoff, “I Play Rocky” is a biographical drama, a form that has previously qualified for original screenplay. “Milk” won that award, while Farrelly shared the original screenplay Oscar for “Green Book,” another true story without a single published source. Amazon MGM also owns the “Rocky” franchise. The first film received 10 Oscar nominations, won best picture and earned Stallone nominations for acting and original screenplay.
“I Play Rocky” opened in seven theaters on Nov. 6, earning $345,000. It expands nationwide Nov. 20 after festival recognition that included first runner-up for TIFF’s People’s Choice Award and an audience choice win at Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival. The film has already been submitted to the Golden Globes as a musical or comedy.
Official Screen Credits forms for the 99th Academy Awards are due Nov. 12. The screenplay determination is not expected to become public until around the opening of nominations voting on Jan. 11, 2027. Oscar nominations are scheduled for Jan. 21, with the ceremony set for March 14.
