Oh, the charm of the 70s and 80s! The era saw a revolution in the entertainment industry and became the cradle of defining movements and genres. On one hand, music was transcending boundaries with hard rock, new wave, and hip-hop (Guns N’ Roses playing in the background). On the other hand, Hollywood was witnessing the thumps and revving in the smoke of cars and big guns of its action movies. Notably, the period also saw the rise of several towering figures in the genre. Among them, a famous duo was Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.

At the height of their youth and the nascency of their careers, the action stars were constantly trying to better one another. The result was a long-drawn feud and cold wars.

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger were too dangerous to be left alone in one room

A fiery rivalry clattered its teeth among the two action heroes, who were constantly on the lookout to prove themselves as the best. Moreover, it was not just any rivalry; it was two of the most buffed-up actors in Hollywood and they were clamoring at each other. The bitterness saw them both vying for the top spot and often in a tug-of-war for the same role in a movie. Nevertheless, the fire did die out eventually and the pair became good friends and remain so. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stallone revealed, “Now I understand the fella.” He also added that their once competitive nature was now long behind them.

Arnold Schwarzenegger brought out his physique and action star with 1982’s Conan The Barbarian and cemented it with The Terminator in 1984. Meanwhile, Stallone had settled on the same pedestal with his 1976 movie, Rocky. As such, the often-made comparisons kept them both trying to oust the other. Therefore, The Expendables co-stars were too hot-headed at each other to be kept in the same room.

Moreover, the acridity, at times, reared its ugly head even in public. Once the seven-time Mr. Olympia accused Stallone of using body doubles and then at one Golden Globes, the latter threw a bowl of flowers at the other. Regardless, all is well that ends well. The pair has since embraced each other and went on to star together in three Expendables movies as well as 2013’s Escape Plan.

Furthermore, the pair is also headed in a similar trajectory to their latest outings. A sweet smell of coincidence it is!

Netflix comes in to bind two action heroes under its umbrella

It is no secret that the 76-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger opened his life up with his Netflix documentary, Arnold. The docu-series took the audience through all the highs and lows of the actor’s career and personal life. Further, it also explored and left open the possibility to explore more into the star’s personal life in its next season. Sylvester Stallone, too, is treading down the same path as his Netflix documentary, Sly.

Even more so, both of the actors are marking a return to showbiz. While Schwarzenegger has already turned the tide over with Arnold and FUBAR, Stallone is catching up to him with Sly and Tulsa King. Again, the duo would face off in the action segment, yet this time, they are not competitors. Rather, they are two Hollywood legends who are out there to showcase their nerves of steel with their action legacy.

What are your views on Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone’s rivalry? Let us know in the comments below.