Stallone Recalls Rivalry with Schwarzenegger in Netflix Docuseries

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are two of the most iconic action movie stars of the 80s. Stallone is featured in the Netflix docuseries Arnold where he reflects on his bitter rivalry with Schwarzenegger. Stallone acknowledges that the 80s was a unique time for action movies because the definitive “action guy” had not yet been established. Prior to that time, action movies were centered around car chases, intellect, innuendos, and verbal communication. Stallone believes that with the release of First Blood in 1982, the action movie genre changed forever. Stallone explains that “You actually relied upon your body to tell the story. Dialogue was not necessary. I saw that there was an opportunity, ’cause no one else was doing this…except some other guy from Austria, who doesn’t need to say much.” Stallone was referring to Schwarzenegger.

The Rise of Competition

Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s rivalry began when Schwarzenegger became Stallone’s competitor with films like The Terminator and Commando. Stallone recalled that they were like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, two great warriors traveling the same course. Stallone admits that they were both action stars, but Schwarzenegger had the edge. “He was superior. He just had all the answers. He had the body. He had the strength. That was his character.” Stallone added that he had to get his “ass kicked constantly” whereas Schwarzenegger “never got hurt much.”

Mutual Respect

Despite their intense competition, both Stallone and Schwarzenegger acknowledge that they motivated each other to work harder. Schwarzenegger pointed out that “without Stallone, I maybe wouldn’t have been as motivated in the ’80s to do the kind of movies that I did and to work as hard as I did. I’m a competitive person.” Stallone also expressed his admiration for Schwarzenegger’s work ethic and dedication to the craft.

The Netflix docuseries Arnold provides a glimpse into the intense rivalry between two of the most iconic action movie stars of the 80s. Stallone and Schwarzenegger’s competition pushed each other to work harder and create more memorable films. The evolution of action movies in the 80s allowed for the rise of these two icons who changed the genre forever.