Sylvester Stallone revealed that his decades-long rivalry with fellow action star Arnold Schwarzenegger concluded when Schwarzenegger entered politics. The intensity of their competition, which Stallone described as "very contentious," lasted for years and influenced their on- and off-screen careers.
"It wasn't put to bed until like 20 years [later]," Stallone, 80, said on the podcast "Rest Is Entertainment." He explained that the feud was so significant that they "couldn't get on the same stage together to make a presentation or a speech," even during their shared investment in the restaurant chain Planet Hollywood.
Both actors were prominent figures in the action film genre throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Stallone achieved stardom with franchises like Rocky and Rambo, while Schwarzenegger became known for The Terminator series and films such as Predator and Commando. Stallone noted that the rivalry, fueled by a desire to be the leading action star, "went back-and-forth, on- and off-screen."
The competition between them, Stallone said, spurred both actors to continually push the boundaries of their film projects. "It just kept elevating" with bigger blockbusters, increased action, and more dramatic settings, he recalled. He also mentioned a proposed film with director John Hughes where they were both to play neighbors, but the intense rivalry prevented their collaboration.
The turning point, according to Stallone, came in the early 2000s when Schwarzenegger transitioned from entertainment to politics, including his run for governor of California. "I said, 'Enough of this' - we're not in competition," Stallone stated. "He was not doing movies anymore."
Stallone recounted a moment at a cigar shop where he expressed gratitude to Schwarzenegger for motivating him. "Thank you very much for waking me up, lighting a fire under me," Stallone said, adding that Schwarzenegger reciprocated the sentiment.
Since reconciling, Stallone and Schwarzenegger have collaborated on several films, including Expendables 2 (2012), Escape Plan (2013), and Expendables 3 (2014). Stallone acknowledged that while they are now friends, a degree of competitive spirit remains. "You know, we're always gonna be competitive... that's the nature of the beast, and I enjoy it, I really do," he said. "But we're not as financially competitive anymore... that's long gone."
He reflected on the uniqueness of their rivalry, stating, "It's something that'll never happen again, where you have two actors in the same genre, literally going for it - on-screen, off-screen."