**Arnold Schwarzenegger Sheds Light on How Business Ended Longstanding Feud with Sylvester Stallone**
For decades, action film enthusiasts marvelled not only at the jaw-dropping stunts and muscle-bound heroes of the big screen but also at the infamous rivalry between two of Hollywood’s most iconic stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Now, Schwarzenegger has candidly opened up about the origins of their animosity, and, perhaps more remarkably, how a shared business venture finally brought peace between the two titans.
During the height of their fame in the 1980s and 1990s, the tension between Schwarzenegger and Stallone was palpable. As global superstars, the two perpetually tried to outdo each other, both on and off the screen. Schwarzenegger, reflecting on that era in a recent conversation with broadcaster Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy, admitted that the rivalry went far beyond healthy competition. “We hated each other,” he said bluntly, recalling the personal jibes and ceaseless attempts to one-up each other. “We were attacking each other, doing nasty things and saying nasty things.”
Yet, it took a surprising twist of fate—and a hefty dose of business acumen—to thaw the icy relationship. As Schwarzenegger prepared to launch the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain in the early 1990s, he was approached with a bold suggestion. His lawyer, who was coincidentally also Stallone’s legal counsel, enquired if Stallone might join the project as a partner. For Schwarzenegger, this marked a turning point. “That’s actually a good idea, because it could bring us together. And I wanted that,” he recollected, noting that by then, he’d grown out of what he termed “my craziness.”
Planet Hollywood’s flagship venue opened in New York City in 1991, backed by an impressive array of celebrities, including Bruce Willis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Chuck Norris, alongside the action duo. The launch marked not just a pop culture moment but a personal transformation for both men. “Sure enough, we made it work,” Schwarzenegger said, highlighting the collaborative spirit that eventually united them.
Over time, the former adversaries developed a mutual respect and even friendship, a dramatic shift from their combative past. Their partnership on Planet Hollywood set the stage for future collaborations, including their roles in the Expendables franchise. This evolution in their relationship was further emphasised during a joint appearance on ‘TMZ Presents: Arnold + Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons’, where they both acknowledged how their rivalry had propelled each of them in their careers.
Schwarzenegger openly admitted the positive impact of competing with Stallone, remarking, “There’s no two ways about that: He was very helpful in my career because I had something that I could chase.” He modestly attributed the beginnings of their feud to his own competitive antics, saying, “I was the one who started this whole thing … by opening up my mouth, saying stupid things, being competitive.”
Stallone, for his part, revealed that the appearance of Schwarzenegger in Hollywood was a crucial motivator. “Finally, something to motivate me. Because he is, dare I say it, competition, a threat, whatever word you want to use,” he noted, reflecting on their days of rivalry. He described their dynamic as two alpha personalities instantly squaring off upon meeting, each determined to outshine the other.
It is evident that the transformation of this famous feud into a formidable friendship was not just the result of business negotiations but of mutual maturity and recognition of each other’s strengths. Their story is a testament to how even the most entrenched rivalries can evolve when people are willing to grow and collaborate.
This change, sparked by the opportunity to work together, not only benefited Schwarzenegger and Stallone personally but also resonated with fans who longed to see both legends on amicable terms. The once combative icons now serve as an example that even the fiercest competitors can find common ground, and that sometimes, the best partnerships spring from the most unlikely beginnings.