Epic rivalries have always been a hallmark of Hollywood’s rich tapestry. While iconic tiffs like Taylor Swift versus Kanye West are recalled, one cannot forget the legendary and long-standing feud between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. As Stallone unfurled his Rocky and showcased the indomitable Rambo, Schwarzenegger struck back with his explosive Commando and the timeless Terminator flicks. These two titans of action cinema engaged in an unrelenting battle of one-upmanship, ceaselessly pushing each other to new heights in a quest for cinematic supremacy.

Eventually, as their career paths narrowed down, these once fierce rivals transformed into close friends. After two decades of rivalry, Schwarzenegger looked back on how it all ended peacefully.

Foe turned friend- The end of rivalry in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Transitioning from a fierce rivalry to one of the most enduring friendships in Hollywood, the Arnie-Sly relationship is truly remarkable. Regardless of the harsh words exchanged between them in the past, this rivalry served as a catalyst for both, evident in the fact that a major Schwarzenegger film was inspired by Rocky IV. In a recent interview on the WTF Podcast with Marc Maron, The Terminator icon delved into their enduring friendship. He confessed to having immense respect for Stallone because he excelled in areas Schwarzenegger could not conquer: scriptwriting and directing, skills in which Sly truly shone.

Another pivotal moment that solidified their friendship was their shared venture in Planet Hollywood. This was a restaurant chain that, thanks to their shared lawyer, brought the former rivals together as business partners. This partnership had them jointly promoting the restaurant across the globe, and it marked a significant turning point in the heated rivalry.

As Schwarzenegger passionately declared on the WTF Podcast, “We were finally back again.” This substantial investment not only revitalized their careers but also extinguished any remnants of their once-intense rivalry.

While the Escape Plan actor did not hold back in showering Stallone with praise, Sly also reciprocated the admiration, once hailing Schwarzenegger as the superior actor.

When Stallone praised Schwarzenegger’s mastery

Sly has officially declared Schwarzenegger as the “superior” action star. This marked a remarkable turnaround from their intense rivalry during the 1980s. Stallone praised Schwarzenegger in the wake of Schwarzenegger’s Netflix documentary Arnold. He emphasized how he transformed the action cinema landscape in the ’80s. He acknowledged that, prior to this shift, action movies were typified by car chases and dialogue-heavy plots, with physique and physicality taking a back seat.

Sly commended the Austrian Oak for redefining the genre by emphasizing the actor’s physicality in narrating stories, making words almost superfluous. Schwarzenegger’s commanding presence and prowess in action sequences made Stallone declare him superior. Their evolving relationship culminated in two collaborative films: the first two Expendables and the 2013 hit Escape Plan.

How do you feel about this rivalry-turned-friendship? Share your thoughts in the comments below.