Award-winning Toronto actor Stephan James stars as Carl Weathers in one of the buzziest films at TIFF, I Play Rocky. We spoke with James about taking on the role, and being back in his hometown for the film festival.
Carl Weathers (Rocky’s Apollo Creed) is such an iconic figure. What did you discover about him that surprised you while preparing for this role?
I think there were a few things. Obviously, just brushing up on my knowledge of his background as an athlete and how he became an actor. I think the film lends itself to some of the other revelations that a lot of people may not know about Carl, and so I won’t spoil that. But yeah, there was a world of information I could grab from and a little bit of creative liberty that I was able to take in sort of creating who this guy was behind the scenes.
What was the biggest challenge for you in playing a real person who is no longer here to learn from?
I mean, I can’t hear from him, so I’m having to rely on material, whether it be footage of him, the research that I’ve done, what I know of him and speaking to people that were in and around during that era. So I think that’s the toughest part, playing somebody who obviously is such a gigantic figure, not only in the lore of Rocky, but just as a leading Black man himself in cinema. So I just felt there’s a lot of responsibility there to do justice.
What do you think makes that story still resonate almost 50 years later?
I think that it’s about art; it’s about soul. It really shows you that it doesn’t matter where you come from, that the sky is the limit if you are determined enough. I mean, I know it’s kind of meta to have to be making a movie about the making of a movie, but I really do feel like the first time I read this script, it really brought me back to all the feelings I felt watching Rocky for the first time just feeling inspired, feeling hopeful, feeling motivated, determined to push through by any means.
What was it like for an actor from Toronto playing a legendary American actor in a movie about one of the most famous American movies of all time?
I played Jesse Owens. I played John Lewis. So it’s not that new to me. I think more so than anything, you just welcome the opportunity, understand the responsibility that comes with it, and thankfully, I’ve had experience beforehand to know what it means to take on a figure like this.
What was the dynamic like between you and Anthony Ippolito who plays Sylvester Stallone?
It was great. I love Anthony. We ate a lot together. We were training at Gleason’s, the world-famous boxing gym in Brooklyn, and so we were down there almost every day for a couple of months, just working out, really getting to know each other, practising our sequences. I was blown away by him and just his transformation and what he was able to bring to it. And I think he’s really special. I’m excited for people to see what he does in this film.
How much does Toronto still feel like home to you?
It’s the best city in the world. I’ve been to a lot of places, and, you know, I think, truth be told — and I may sound biased when I say it — but I don’t think a lot compare. It’s just a world-class city for art or culture, for fashion, for life and livelihood — and yeah, a place I happen to be born and raised in, so a special place in my heart.
Do you still have favourite Toronto neighbourhoods or restaurants or places you can go when you’re back in town?
Scarborough and the Scarborough fam. Anything Scarborough is love.