Stephan James stepped onto the red carpet at Hollywood’s iconic TCL Chinese Theatre on Saturday, October 24, for the West Coast premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ I Play Rocky at AFI Fest.

In the film, James plays Carl Weathers, the former NFL player turned actor who became a Hollywood legend as Apollo Creed, the flashy heavyweight champion who faces Rocky Balboa in the original Rocky. Weathers played the role in four films, and Apollo’s journey from rival to Rocky’s friend became one of the most beloved storylines in movie history.

The character’s legacy has continued through the Creed franchise, with Michael B. Jordan starring as Apollo’s son, Adonis. Weathers died in February 2024.

Directed by Peter Farrelly and written by Peter Gamble, I Play Rocky tells the true story of how Sylvester Stallone, then an unknown actor, refused to sell his Rocky script unless he could play the lead himself. Anthony Ippolito stars as Stallone, and the cast also includes AnnaSophia Robb, Kiki Seto, P.J. Byrne, Matt Dillon, Jay Duplass and Tracy Letts.

James joined Farrelly, Ippolito, Robb, Seto and others on the red carpet for photos and interviews before the screening. After the film, he took part in a Q&A alongside the director, screenwriter and cast.

The role is one of James’ most high-profile in years. The Toronto-born actor is best known for his lead role in Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, his Golden Globe-nominated performance in Prime Video’s Homecoming, and his work in Selma and Race.

I Play Rocky opens in select theaters on Friday, November 6, and in theaters everywhere on Friday, November 20.

Photo Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Amazon MGM Studios