The True Story Behind Rocky Is Finally Being Told 50 Years Later

Published Nov 10, 2026, 7:00 AM EST

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

It's hard to believe it's been 50 years and Rocky is still arguably the most iconic sports movie ever made, not to mention one of the greatest underdog stories in cinematic history. Back in 1976, Stallone's classic introduced fans to the small-time Philly boxer and gave him an unlikely shot at becoming the heavyweight champ, simultaneously proving the power of a good montage backed by a legendary score.

Rocky became a cultural phenomenon that transcended the sports genre, eventually spawning an entire franchise that continues to this day with the recent release of the I Play Rocky biopic from Amazon MGM. However, while nearly everyone knows Balboa's story, not as many people are familiar with the real-life events that brought the original movie to the big screen.

The story behind Rocky is arguably just as inspirational as the fictional one, from Stallone's own struggles in Hollywood to the wild circumstances surrounding the film's actual production. Now, as Rocky celebrates its 50th anniversary, that remarkable behind-the-scenes story is finally getting the attention it deserves today in a brand-new release from renowned sports journalist Mike Sielski.

Rocky fans are finally getting an opportunity to revisit the film that started everything from an entirely different perspective. Officially available today, November 10, Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky is a new nonfiction book by acclaimed sports journalist Mike Sielski that explores the extraordinary true story behind the making of the 1976 classic. Published by St. Martin's Press, the book takes readers back to the earliest days of Rocky, examining how Sylvester Stallone went from a struggling young actor to one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Unlike many books about the film and/or Stallone himself, Sielski digs into the circumstances surrounding the original movie's development, the personal experiences that inspired Rocky Balboa, and the people who helped bring the character to life. The book also examines the influence of real-life boxers like Rocky Marciano and Chuck Wepner, along with the importance of Philadelphia itself, which is a core piece of the franchise's identity.

Longtime fans will appreciate Sielski's extensive research, which includes interviews and insights from some of the people directly involved in making the original film, including producer Irwin Winkler and the incredible composer Bill Conti. Sielski also challenges some of the familiar stories surrounding Rocky, uncovering lesser-known details about how the movie actually came together.

Sielski is beyond well-qualified for this project, seeing as he's a longtime columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and former Wall Street Journal reporter. He was previously named America's top sports columnist by the Associated Press Sports Editors, and he's also the bestselling author of The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality, among several other acclaimed sports titles.

You can order Sielski's Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky via Amazon here.

Going the Distance is available in several formats, including hardcover, Kindle eBook, and an Audible audiobook narrated by Kevin Earlywine. Physical audio CD editions are also available.

For anyone who's watched Rocky countless times and has seen every follow-up or spin-off since, this is an essential addition to the reading list. Even dedicated fans who think they know everything about Stallone's underdog masterpiece may discover something new, making Going the Distance the perfect way to celebrate the original movie's golden anniversary.