In the high-octane world of Hollywood action films, the names Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone stand out as two iconic figures who dominated the scene for a long time. Both vying for the title of “King of Action,” their competition was fierce, fueled by an ironclad determination to outdo each other in every aspect.
But as the ’90s dawned, the landscape shifted. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action-packed rampage was temporarily sidelined due to health concerns, leaving a temporary void in the genre’s throne room. This, ironically, opened the door for Stallone to step into the spotlight and solidify his own reign as the action king.
The Fierce Rivalry Between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone
The ’80s were a golden era for action movies, and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone were at the forefront of the genre. Their on-screen rivalry was legendary, fueled by sculpted physiques, explosive firepower, and an unspoken competition for the crown of “King of Action.”
Speaking with The Graham Norton Show (via Variety), Schwarzenegger reveals that he and Stallone “took the competitiveness to the extreme.”
“We were movie rivals, but we took the competitiveness to the extreme – we each had to have the best body, we had to kill more people in our films and we had to have the biggest guns. It got out of control, and we tried to derail each other.”
Despite their intense rivalry, Schwarzenegger and Stallone gradually developed a deep friendship that transcended their on-screen personas.
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“Then when we both invested in Planet Hollywood, we started flying around the world together to promote it, and we became fantastic friends. He is a great human being, and we are now inseparable.”
This camaraderie became evident when they joined forces in various movies, most notably in The Expendables franchise and Escape Plan.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Decision to Step Back Eventually Became the Reason for Sylvester Stallone’s Rise to Prominence
In the mid-’90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger faced a pivotal moment in his career when health reasons compelled him to slow down his output of action movies. The Austrian star, known for his roles in iconic films like Terminator and Predator, took a step back from the limelight, creating a void in the genre he once dominated.
Following his role as the chilling Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin in 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger faced a real-life battle – open-heart surgery to replace a faulty valve.
Taking a year off to recover, Schwarzenegger found himself facing a changed Hollywood landscape. Studios, once eager to collaborate, began backtracking. Projects were put on hold, and scripts were rewritten. The news of his near-death experience, he believes, chipped away at his image as the invincible action hero. Schwarzenegger observed that his once seemingly flawless touch in the industry began to wane following his surgery.
With Schwarzenegger taking a temporary hiatus, Sylvester Stallone seized the opportunity to solidify his status as the undisputed king of action movies. Stallone, famous for his portrayal of characters like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, continued to deliver high-energy performances.
