Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals the surprising gambit that ended his bitter feud with Sylvester Stallone

The roar of roaring audiences, the flash of cameras, the clang of steel on steel—during the 1980s and ’90s, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone dominated Hollywood action screens. Schwarzenegger was the icy Terminator with a single mission. Stallone was Rocky Balboa—the indomitable Italian stallion—and later Rambo, the weaponized warrior. Each man defined what it meant to be a leading action star.

But behind the blockbuster bravado lay a bitter rivalry. Beneath the chest-thumping posturing lay a heated animosity deliberately inflamed by each man’s competitive spirit. Arnold and Sly didn’t just compete on ticket sales—they sparred over physiques, kills-per-film, and screen presence. People often whispered that there was genuine hatred. And yes, there was. Quite simply, they hated each other.

A Rivalry Fueled by Testosterone

In stadiums and studios, fans drew lines: Team Stallone vs. Team Schwarzenegger. Each man pushed harder. Stallone, often cast as the underdog, chipped away and scrapped for every win. Arnold, built like a Greek statue, brought unstoppable force. Scenes weren’t just acted—they were demonstrations of who could look tougher, use bigger guns, kill more bad guys, or flex shinier abs.

Each action sequence became a message: Watch me out-muscle Stallone. Watch me kill more. Watch me sell more tickets. Their obsession with outdoing one another reached absurd proportions. The pair were intentionally performing image warfare. If Stallone’s hero hoisted a bazooka, Arnold’s hero would lift a tank-mounted cannon. If Stallone topped 50 kills, Arnold topped 70. The competition wasn’t healthy—it was insane.

The media played along, fueling every stunt. Press releases flaunted Arnold’s muscle mass, Stallone fed headlines by throwing verbal jabs. When one film succeeded, the other felt compelled to one-up—even if it meant making ridiculous, over-the-top decisions. Unrealistic stunts. Bigger spectacle at any cost. And when lines were crossed—a rumor here, a slight there—the feud intensified.

The Masterstroke: A Failed Movie Role and a Plot Twist

In the heat of the rivalry, Arnold executed one of the most clever behind-the-scenes pranks of all time. He got wind of an atrocious script for a comedy—Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot—that was bc‑grade at best. Arnold discreetly leaked to producers that he was “really interested” in the project, knowing Stallone’s pride and need to one-up would kick in.

It was pure chess. Stallone’s camp picked up the hint, rushed forward—Stallone accepted the lead, thinking he had triumphed over Arnold yet again. Arnold quietly stood back, smiling inside. When the film flopped spectacularly, it became legendary: Stallone’s career worst, a notorious comedy misfire. Arnold had led Stallone into a cinematic punchline. Subtle, ruthless—brilliant.

Peace Brokered by Burgers: Planet Hollywood

But feuds—even epic ones—can be transcended with the right gesture. Enter Planet Hollywood, the celebrity restaurant chain launched in the early 1990s. Arnold, along with Robert Earl and Keith Parish, assembled a dream team of A‑listers: Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Chuck Norris… and announced that they were planning a themed restaurant honoring their films.

Then the moment came: Arnold’s lawyer—who also represented Stallone—called with a challenge. “Is there room for Sly in this venture?” Arnold paused. He reflected. The feud was draining. Maybe this was his chance to change the game. He said yes.

Inviting Stallone to join as a co-owner wasn’t just smart business—it was the opening crevice for reconciliation. Suddenly, the two furious competitors were forced to talk. They flew the planet, promoted the brand, and found themselves working side by side. The friendship started cautiously—and grew quickly.

With shared lunches, joint interviews, promotional tours, and laughter over past iron‑clad egos, the villains in their imagined duel began to dissolve. There was no longer a need to compete. The world realized this was more than a business partnership—it was a peace treaty between Hollywood heavyweights.

From Feud to Friendship: Co‑Starring Success

Once bonded by burger-shared experiences, Schwarzenegger and Stallone discovered each other’s genuine strengths:

Stallone admired Arnold’s physical dominance and screen charisma, saying Arnold was the “superior” action figure.

Arnold credited Stallone with pushing him to levels of success he never would’ve reached alone.

That competitive spark suddenly became mutual respect. By the 2000s and 2010s, the two had woven together a legacy of collaborative screen work. They co-starred in high-energy thrillers like Escape Plan (2013) and the Expendables series—a powerhouse ensemble that included Stallone, Arnold, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, and others. These movies weren’t just fun—they became cinematic eulogies to their real-life friendship.

It was more than action stars teaming up; it was a reunion of brothers who’d once sworn to destroy one another’s careers. Now, in front of the cameras, they showed synergy: stiff camaraderie, friendly ribbing, and undeniable bond.

What the Feud Taught Them—and Us

Their journey offers a compelling blueprint:

Rivalry can sharpen talent
Pushing each other taught them stamina, physical discipline, and relentless ambition.

Mistakes are powerful lessons
Stallone’s flop was embarrassing—but Arnold’s prank delivered humility and humor.

Shared purpose heals wounds
A mutual investment—in Planet Hollywood, in films—created common ground.

Respect grows over time
From adversaries to allies, they found friendship in sameness and forgiveness.

Today: Brothers-in‑Arms for Life

Now in their late 70s, Schwarzenegger and Stallone are inseparable. They appear together at press junkets, support each other’s promotional campaigns, and, when public award nominations come, neither hesitates to praise the other. Arnold once posted publicly after Stallone lost an Oscar, saying he was proud—proud—of his old rival.

Their bond now includes holiday dinners, war‑stories, and inside jokes about bigger guns or epic kills. They’ve chosen humility and companionship over rivalry. Their relationship stands not just as relics of ’80s and ’90s action—but as a testament to how egos can shrink before camaraderie grows.

Final Image: Two Alphas, Side By Side

It’s almost cinematic: Arnold and Sly, standing side by side, now friends decades on. Two legends who once battled for the throne—but realized the kingdom was better ruled together. It took a fast-food empire, a flaky film, and a dramatic power move to thaw decades of distrust. And through it all, they proved themselves beyond single-screen competition.

They moved from rivals who once destroyed movie sets for ratings—to teammates who build franchises together. From silent hostility to loud laughter. From war to peace. From opposite camps to brotherhood forged in fire.

The Takeaway

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gambit was as bold as any movie stunt. He invited Stallone into his business venture, tricked him into a flop role, and then extended the olive branch through Planet Hollywood. With that, he transformed rivalry into respect—and built a friendship that became a Hollywood legend.

They taught the world: greatness often blooms from competition—but true legacy grows from unity. And that twist—turning a fierce rivalry into enduring friendship—is the greatest action of all.