The world now looks at actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone as aging action stars who have attained legendary status. The actors have starred in iconic action films of the 1980s and 1990s such as the Terminator, Rocky, and Rambo franchises.
While the two seem to be buddies, back in the 80s, they could not stand each other. They were fierce competitors to be the biggest action star in Hollywood. While the pair have since patched up and have appeared in films together, Schwarzenegger passed on the opportunity to return in the Stallone starrer The Expend4bles.
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Feud
With the relationship the pair share now, it is tough to believe that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone used to be bitter rivals. Both were at the peak of their careers in the 80s and the feud went to disgusting levels.
The pair referenced each other in multiple films. Rocky IV’s Ivan Drogo was supposed to represent Schwarzenegger, who made fun of a Rambo poster in his film Twins. The two also tried to sabotage their careers behind the scenes. Schwarzenegger admitted in 2014 that he feigned interest in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot in order to trick Stallone into accepting that role.
However, the pair have since patched up. The actors saw a decline in their stardom in the late 90s. Schwarzenegger focused on his political career. Sylvester Stallone has opened up about the feud and how he felt that Arnold Schwarzenegger had beaten him in the race to be the better action star. In an interview for the Netflix documentary, Arnold, Sylvester Stallone said,
“Arnold started to come on strong. We became incredibly competitive…There was only room for one of us… He was superior… I would try to be the kind of guy that’s not overly gifted. I had to get my a** kicked constantly, whereas Arnold, he never got hurt much, and I’m going, ‘Arnold, you could go out and fight a dragon, and you’d come back with a Band-Aid.’… We couldn’t even stand to be in the same room. People had to separate us… He wanted to be number one. Unfortunately, he got there.”
The two have also since starred in films together, appearing in three films in The Expendables franchise as well as the first installment of the Escape Plan franchise.
Why Isn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger Returning In The Expend4bles?
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone appeared on screen for the first time in the latter’s directorial, The Expendables. Schwarzenegger starred as Trench Mauser and appeared in an uncredited cameo. He made an extended appearance in the subsequent sequels. However, the actor reportedly refused to return for the fourth film.
Talking to Parade about his decision, Schwarzenegger said,
“It’s done and I’m not in it…I said, ‘You know what, we have done this and I’m out of it.’ And [Stallone] really understood.”
Back in 2017, the actor had responded positively to returning to The Expend4bles, saying that he would consider it if Stallone also starred in the film, although he was not sure about the future of his character. However, the actor’s doubts seem to have grown and he has since rejected the offer.
Source: Parade
