Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone are two Hollywood icons who have a fierce, on-screen rivalry (and, for a long time, off-screen as well). They have both starred in numerous action movies, and their films have often competed with each other for box office success. One such example is the 1985 action movie Commando, which made its debut around the same time as Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo: First Blood Part II.

Both movies apparently had an impact on each other, leading to a different ending for Schwarzenegger. Recently talking to Radio Times screenwriter Steven E. de Souza spoke about the Commando finale, which could have been very different if they did not face budget constraints and Stallone killed a little less in his action movie. The budget constraints, he blames, caused by the Rambo star and his latest movie of the time.

Originally, there was a peppy boat chase through land-mine-plagued waters. One wrong step would perhaps lead the pyrotechnics and bursting flames to turn the production into ashes. However, the audience did not get to see the original ending of Commando, due to the success of Sylvester Stallone’s action-packed movie and its gory ending that led the director to conclude that Commando needs to wipe out armies and hence the budget to make it as successful.

De Souza would then propose to shoot the ending in the basement instead of the destination shoot they earlier agreed upon. So without Stallone’s high-bar action and Schwarzenegger’s team pushing to meet and beat it, fans would have had a novel experience.

Did you know though Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone’s rivalry is not one movie but aeons old?

It’s true! There was once a time when the two action-hero movie legends could not stand the air the other breathed. From imitating each other in movies to lying about each other in front of the media, they would leave no stone unturned to prick each other. Per multiple resources, it was only after their encounter in The Expendables, that Hollywood’s icons turned their rivalry into friendship.

Stallone also acknowledged recently that even though they were enemies, they would help each other to bring out the best version of themselves. He further stated that they eventually realized, “we’re pretty much cut from the same cloth,” further joking that Schwarzenegger’s cloth is more like “itchy wool,” and he is like “silk.” 

What are your thoughts on Commando‘s ending? Do let us know in the comments below.