The very notion of doing a reboot, remake, or even reimagining of a film is always a tricky and finicky thing to try. Even the idea of fan casting ends up being a difficult task to pull off, as not everyone will be satisfied by the characters chosen.
Yet, to try and see what a classic film like one of the best sports films ever made, Rocky would look like if it was made today, is an interesting idea for sure. Sure, the casting or ideas may not end up being perfect or anywhere near the original film, but it's still fun to try and play matchmaker with certain characters and actors and maybe even be able to replicate or provide new takes on some of the franchises most iconic moments.
Tye Sheridan As Spider Rico
This may end up being a bit of an odd casting choice. For that matter, the character of Spider Rico is an odd one at that. Spider Rico was one of the first people Rocky fought before going toe to toe with Apollo Creed.
Granted, Spider Rico isn't the most memorable character but is someone Tye Sheridan, a rising star in Hollywood, could play. Having starred as Cyclops in the newest X-Men movies and appearing as the main character in the sci-fi film Ready Player One, Sheridan would be a good contrast to Rocky(more on that later), serving as a cocky and overly confident boxer who would get beaten down easily and pave the way for the titular character to shine through.
Pedro Pascal As Tony Gazzo
Show of hands, how many people actually remember Tony Gazzo from Rocky? Typically most viewers just focus on Baloba, Adrian, Mickey, Paulie, and of course, Apollo Creed. Side characters like Tony Gazzo, a loan shark who Rocky worked for before becoming a boxer and was a generally kind character (for a loan shark) aren't always the most remembered or memorable characters in a film like Rocky.
There are a number of actors who could fit this role, who could serve as Tony Gazzo yet Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal honestly fits the bill pretty well. Despite audiences not seeing much beneath the mask, Pascal has proven himself in other roles to be a smooth-talking and competent character, such as in Game of Thrones and Narcos. Seeing him play a somewhat sleazy yet gold-hearted loan shark would be an interesting role for the actor.
Joe Pesci As Mickey Goldmill
When the image of a cankerous, hard pushing yet good-hearted trainer comes to mind, multiple actors fill one's mind. There are so many options for fans to choose from and honestly, it becomes difficult to choose the proper or right actor to fit the role, and sometimes, one has to think outside the box, such as with Joe Pesci.
Why is this outside of the box? Well, technically speaking, at the moment Joe Pesci is retired from acting. However, last year the actor briefly emerged from retirement for the gangster film The Irishman. Given the right amount of praise and perhaps a bit of encouragement, it's possible for Pesci to come out of retirement once more to take on the role of Mickey Goldmil which, honestly, he could probably do justice to.
Terry Crews As Tony "Duke" Evers
Rocky Balboa had his Mickey Goldmil and Apollo Creed had his Tony "Duke" Evers. A smaller character who trained and was essentially Apollo's hype man for most of the films. Unfortunately, the actor, Tony Burton, passed away back in 2016. However, there may be an actor who can do Duke justice: Terry Crews.
Not only would Crews have the body and skills to pretend to be a coach but he also has a great sense of humor. Anyone who watches Brooklyn Nine-Nine has seen Terry Jeffords entertain and be a bit of a hype man himself for the officers of the Nine-Nine, so why couldn't he do the same for Apollo Creed?
Bill Hader As Paulie Pennino
Ok, now Adrian's big brother Paulie isn't exactly the best character in the world of Rocky. If anything, he's a problematic drunk who only manages to pull himself out of the hole he's in with help from Rocky and his sister. So, who would be a great fit for the role of Paulie Pennino? Comedian Bill Hader.
Before the questions start flying, little explanation. Yes, Bill Hader is primarily a comedian whose comedy in films and tv is legendary. Yet, Hader also has some great range to him, whether it be expressing serious emotion in It Chapter Two or balancing the dark humor and emotion in his black comedy series Barry that has a third season already on the way. If anything, a little comedy(perhaps dark comedy) would help to balance out Paulie before diving into the somewhat darker side of him.
Michael B. Jordan As Apollo Creed
Now, this may be a little too on the nose but perhaps Michael B. Jordan is the best person to play Apollo Creed. For one, the actor's actually played his illegitimate son, Adonis Creed, in the Rocky sequel/spinoff Creed, bringing the same energy that Carl Weathers did all those years ago that made the Rocky films some of his best movies.
For another, Jordan can bring about the same energy that Apollo did and reimagine one of the films more iconic characters in a new and more modern light and be an interesting take and look at the character of Apollo Creed.
Ana De Armas As Adrianna "Adrian" Pennino
Casting the two big leads of Adrina and Rocky needs to be lined up in the sense that the pair can look somewhat similar and have winning personalities that intrigue the audience and has compelling and likable characters for the viewers to relate to.
A somewhat rising star, Ana De Armas, could be the winning character for Adrian, Rocky's love interest and eventual wife. De Armas, who's had roles in a few recent films, Blade Runner 2049 and Knives Out, with both roles having her in a helpful and friendly role that could lend well to being Rocky's Adrian.
Ansel Elgort As Rocky Balboa
Alright, recasting one of Slyvester Stallone's most iconic and best roles/films isn't an easy task by any means. To recapture the same feel and sense that Stallone brought to Balboa probably won't please any fans, especially if the person chosen is Ansel Elgort.
It may be an odd choice, choosing someone like Ansel Elgort whose only been in a few movies like Baby Driver, a film full of memorable and great quotes. That being said, Elgort has proven himself to be adept in both emotional and comedic acting, and with the right training(not to mention another training montage that could add to the list of great and not so great ones), could gain the physique of Rocky and make himself into being the best form of the character that he can.