Ali Arsalan
Sylvester Stallone, an iconic figure in the world of Hollywood was born on July 6, 1946, in New York City. Stallone has gained immense fame as an actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
In the Netflix documentary series titled “Arnold,” Sylvester Stallone openly declares that Arnold Schwarzenegger surpasses him as the ultimate ’80s cinematic action hero.
Stallone, among other friends, shares his thoughts about Schwarzenegger in the documentary series. He reflected on their prime years in the 1980s when both actors dominated the box office with their explosive action films.
“He was superior. He just had all the answers. He had the body. He had the strength. That was his character.”
Sylvester Stallone
The ’80s Action Era: Stallone and Schwarzenegger Redefined the Genre
Sylvester Stallone reflects on the transformation of the action genre in the ’80s, as Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, and Steve McQueen ruled the screen with gritty characters and car chases. However, Stallone’s First Blood and Schwarzenegger’s Conan the Barbarian, released in 1982, completely reshaped the landscape.
Their intense rivalry pushed them to outshine each other with every new film. Stallone compares their competitive relationship to the epic clashes of boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
As the ’80s drew to a close, Schwarzenegger emerged as a dominant force with hits like Predator and Twins, while Stallone struggled to replicate his early success. Despite a strong year in 1985, subsequent films such as Cobra, Over the Top, Rambo III, and Lock Up fell short compared to Schwarzenegger’s critical and commercial achievements.
From Rivals to Friends: The Bond Between Schwarzenegger and Stallone
The rivalry between Schwarzenegger and Stallone in Hollywood evolved into a deep friendship by the 1990s. They became investors and promoters of the popular Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, alongside Bruce Willis, the star of Die Hard.
Furthermore, Schwarzenegger showed his support for Stallone by starring alongside him in the first three Expendables films and the 2014 action-thriller Escape Plan. In a recent revelation, Schwarzenegger disclosed that he turned down Expendables 4 after a heartfelt conversation with Stallone.
The once fierce competitors have forged a lasting bond, demonstrating the power of friendship in the entertainment industry.