Arnold Schwarzenegger y Sylvester Stallone
The rivalry between Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger during the 1980s and 1990s is one of the most famous in Hollywood, with both action film icons competing for the top of the genre. This competition not only boosted their careers but led them to perform peculiar maneuvers to sabotage each other. In that context, Stallone starred in a comedy that many consider one of the biggest disappointments of his career: Stop! Or My Mother Shoots (1992), a film that, by his own admission, he accepted after falling into a trap set by Schwarzenegger.
The anecdote of this trap was confirmed in recent years by Schwarzenegger himself, who admitted to having feigned interest in the role so that Stallone would accept it. “It’s one hundred percent true,” the actor revealed. “In those days we did all kinds of crazy things to get ahead in our rivalry.” According to Schwarzenegger, his tactic was successful in luring Stallone into a project that, from his perspective, seemed destined to fail. “Thank God, because we surely don’t need another Stop! Or my mother will shoot,” the actor joked, emphasizing that this rivalry is now history.
Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone y Arnold Schwarzenegger en una foto de archivo. (Photo by The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)
The dynamic between Stallone and Schwarzenegger went beyond their movie roles. The two constantly competed for box office and public recognition, leading to promotional strategies that extended to provocative comments in the press. Stallone sometimes made allusions to Schwarzenegger’s physical ability, while Schwarzenegger responded by questioning the authenticity of Stallone’s physique. The rivalry was such that both avoided at all costs appearing in the same type of role, each seeking to prevail in the action genre. For the public, this competition was exciting and added a special appeal to their films, which competed directly in the global market.
Over time, the tension decreased, and both actors found a way to coexist and even collaborate. In The Expendables franchise, directed by and starring Stallone, Schwarzenegger appears in a recurring role. This work together symbolized the closure of their rivalry and marked a stage of mutual respect in their careers. Stallone has stated on multiple occasions that he now considers Schwarzenegger a friend, highlighting how their rivalry was not only a driving force in their respective careers, but a drive that allowed them to reach the top of the genre. For the public and critics, these actors are two of the leading figures in action cinema of their time, whose contributions helped consolidate the genre and expand it internationally. Today, both Stallone and Schwarzenegger have referred to that rivalry in a joking tone and with a touch of nostalgia, recognizing that those confrontations for stardom in action movies formed an era that defined their careers.
