What was once considered an epic and confusing rivalry is now being squashed, thanks to the legend himself. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
In the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone were the two kings of muscle-bound action heroes. Not only did they battle it (never physically, of course) to prove who the real action icon was, but they also competed when it came to box office dominance and fan adoration.
Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born bodybuilding phenom who became “The Terminator,” and Stallone, the gritty and mighty warrior behind “Rocky” and “Rambo,” were seen as fierce competitors.
‘Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons’
Fast forward to today, Schwarzenegger admitted on SiriusXMâs Radio Andy with Andy Cohen that the duo, in fact, weren’t fans of each other at all back then! âWe hated each other,” he recalled. So yes, their rivalry wasnât just whispered in tabloids. It played out publicly with ânasty thingsâ said and done between the two stars. According to Schwarzenegger, âWe were kind of attacking each other and doing nasty things and saying nasty things about each other and all these stupid things.â
At the time, both were jostling for the top spot in the action movie world. Stallone later reflected on the tension during a joint, yes, joint, interview with TMZ in 2024. For their “TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons” segment, the duo sat down to finally reveal why the feud began in the first place. Stallone revealed that the whole situation was âfinally, something to motivate me. Because he is, dare I say it, competition, a threat, whatever word you wanna use.â The other Hollywood legend went on to agree, noting, âThereâs no two ways about that: He was very helpful in my career because I had something that I could chase.â
Despite the public sparring, both stars shared the same passion for carving out their legacies in Hollywood. But how did this intense rivalry cool down to a friendship thatâs lasted decades?
The ‘Good Idea’ That Broke the Ice
The surprising answer involves a restaurant chain, of all things. Schwarzenegger revealed that their reconciliation started when he got involved in launching the Planet Hollywood franchise in 1991.
âI get a phone call from my lawyer, who was also Slyâs lawyer, and he said, âArnold, is there any kind of room for Sly in Planet Hollywood?ââ Schwarzenegger recalled, telling Cohen. At first, the thought made him pause, but then he realized, âThatâs actually a good idea, because it could bring us together. And I wanted that. At that point I had grown out of my craziness.â
With Stallone on board, Planet Hollywood became a celebrity hotspot. The business partnership paved the way for Hollywood collaborations, especially when it came to work. The duo starred together in “Escape Plan” in 2013 and the ever-explosive “Expendables” franchise.
These projects turned their feud into good friends, showcasing them as not just rivals but partners. Schwarzenegger joked about their dynamic, saying Stalloneâs arrival gave him âsomething I could chase.â Stallone acknowledged that the same competitive spark ultimately strengthened both their careers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger & Sylvester Stallone: BFFs Forever?
Today, both stars have embraced their friendship and mutual respect with open arms. Schwarzenegger is still active in the entertainment world, with projects like “Fubar“ on Netflix and the upcoming holiday movie “The Man with the Bag.”
He’s also made a few headlines recently thanks to his children. Especially Patrick Schwarzenegger, who has decided to follow in his footsteps in terms of acting. Patrick recently starred in the latest season of “The White Lotus,” where his character went on to shock the audience. The father and son duo appeared together on Variety’s Actor on Actor section, quickly going viral. They reflected on both their acting careers, the whole fascination with “epo babies,” and Patrick’s next steps.
As for Stallone, he continues to write, direct, and star in films. With no sign of stopping, his career spans over five decades. Safe to say his legacy is also cemented in Hollywood history. His family has also remained in the spotlight after Paramount+ decided to feature the family for a new reality TV series, “The Family Stallone.” It featured the man himself, alongside his daughters Scarlet, Sistine, and Sophia Stallone, and his wife, Jennifer Flavin.
Their public bromance has become an endearing story of rivalry turned respect. It shows that even the toughest competitors can find common ground. From muscle-bound enemies to lifelong friends, Schwarzenegger and Stallone have proven that sometimes, the best friendships come from the fiercest rivalries.
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