Stallone says Schwarzenegger exit ended rivalry

Sylvester Stallone believes his two-decade professional feud with Arnold Schwarzenegger ended only when the Austrian-American actor left film to run for the California governorship. Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Stallone detailed how this competitive dynamic shaped his career choices throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Stallone admitted that the constant comparison with Schwarzenegger directly influenced his work. He described the era as highly confrontational, noting that both men arrived at the birth of the action genre with a shared goal to define it. Although he did not initially view himself as an action star, Stallone found the genre compelling after producing First Blood. He compared well-made action films to classical myths, citing The Iliad, The Odyssey, and the tales of Hercules and Achilles as comparable works.

The tension surfaced early in their careers, according to Stallone. He recalled a specific moment at the Golden Globe Awards where he felt Schwarzenegger staring at him with what he termed stink eye. That evening, Schwarzenegger won an award, an outcome that seemed to set the tone for their long-term mutual challenge. The two actors spent years vying for the top spot in the action category, a rivalry that played out in their respective film releases like Rambo and Commando. Stallone stated he genuinely enjoyed the contentious nature of their relationship during those years.

Their professional paths intersected in business ventures as well. In 1991, the pair co-founded Planet Hollywood, a movie-themed restaurant chain. Despite the shared investment, Stallone said the competitive spirit persisted. He noted that the two men rarely shared a stage for speeches, indicating how deeply embedded the rivalry remained in their dynamic even during collaborative efforts.

The shift occurred roughly twenty years after the peak of their competition. Stallone said the rivalry concluded when Schwarzenegger decided to pursue the governorship. He recalled meeting his former rival at a cigar shop, where he decided to acknowledge that they were no longer in direct competition. With Schwarzenegger no longer making films, the professional stakes that fueled the tension were removed. Stallone expressed gratitude for the experience, saying he thanked Schwarzenegger for keeping him motivated. He added that while they remain friendly, the intensity of their competition is no longer as pronounced as it was during their peak Hollywood years.

No further meetings or joint projects are currently scheduled between the two actors.