Years After Being at “War” With Each Other, Sylvester Stallone Accepts Defeat Against Arnold Schwarzenegger

In a time when the world was captivated by the Cold War, a different rivalry was playing out on the big screen. It wasn’t between nations, but two Hollywood juggernauts: Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, they’re close friends, even co-stars in blockbuster franchises like The Expendables.

But rewind to the late 20th century, and you’d witness a rivalry as fierce as any world superpower’s feud. In Netflix’s new docuseries, Arnold, Stallone recalls this riveting saga with surprising candor.

In a twist that few could predict, he declares Schwarzenegger as a “superior” action hero. A stunning confession that has sent shockwaves through fans worldwide. However, is this just an acknowledgment of Schwarzenegger’s success, or is there more to this admission?

How ‘cold’ was the ‘Hollywood war’ between Sly and Arnie?

The docuseries Arnold features a candid conversation between Stallone and Schwarzenegger, taking viewers on a deep dive into their intense rivalry that dominated Hollywood’s action genre for a quarter of a century.

Stallone reminisced about the genesis of the feud, saying that he had initially noticed no one else exploring the emerging action genre like he was, “except some other guy from Austria.” He was referring, of course, to Schwarzenegger, who had begun making waves in the industry with movies like “Conan the Barbarian.”

Schwarzenegger acknowledged that Stallone had a head start, with the first two Rocky films under his belt before his first major movie. “Sly was ahead of me in the ’80s so it was for me to catch up,” Schwarzenegger candidly admitted. The rivalry intensified with every movie. “Every time he came out with a movie like ‘Rambo II,’ I had to now figure out a way of outdoing that,” he revealed, as per Insider. Arnold also stated, “Sly and I were at war.”

When Arnold tricked Sly into signing a subpar movie

Stallone recognized Schwarzenegger’s ascension in the industry, citing movies like Red Sonja, Commando, and his iconic role in The Terminator as significant points in his career trajectory. Stallone candidly acknowledged Schwarzenegger’s on-screen personas, saying, “He just had all the answers. He had the body. He had the strength. That was his character.” He also talked about how Arnold never got hurt.

Interestingly, their rivalry extended beyond roles to tricks and tactics. Schwarzenegger once even tricked Stallone into taking a subpar movie, a misstep that reflected the lengths they would go to outdo each other. Despite the intense competition, or perhaps because of it, Stallone acknowledged that Schwarzenegger eventually came out on top, “He wanted to be number one. Unfortunately, he got there,” metaphorically raising Schwarzenegger’s hand as the champion of their Hollywood duel.

This competition likened to a “war” by Stallone, saw the two action heroes striving to outclass each other in every possible way. The rivalry was so fierce that Stallone recalled instances where they couldn’t even tolerate being in the same room. But the story doesn’t end with tension and rivalry. Stallone, looking back, appreciates Schwarzenegger’s acting style, revealing a newfound respect for his once formidable competitor.

Read More: 44 Years After Rocky II, Sylvester Stallone Reminisces Training With Bodybuilding Legend

In their tale of rivalry and reconciliation, Stallone and Schwarzenegger have left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Their story continues to inspire and intrigue. As we conclude, we leave you with a question: In your opinion, who won the Stallone-Schwarzenegger rivalry, and why? Let us know in the comments below.