The Ultimate Showdown: Resolving the Stallone vs Schwarzenegger Debate for Good
Stallone concedes Schwarzenegger's dominance as '80s action star: an end to their long-standing rivalry
After years of heated debates and intense competition, Sylvester Stallone has finally admitted that Arnold Schwarzenegger was the superior action movie star of the 1980s. As two of the biggest names in the industry during that era, Schwarzenegger and Stallone both had their fair share of iconic hits, with the former leading the charge in films like The Terminator and Commando, while the latter introduced audiences to the unforgettable character of Rambo and starred in Cobra. Despite their public rivalry, the two eventually put their differences aside and became friends. In Netflix's new Schwarzenegger documentary, Arnold, Stallone concedes that his competitor was the better action star of the decade, citing his impressive physique and physical performances as defining characteristics of the era's action heroes. Schwarzenegger's box office success also played a significant role in cementing his status as the top action star of the time.
In the 1980s, the concept of the ultimate 'action guy' had yet to be fully realized. Prior to that time, action movies focused more on car chases, such as those seen in 'Bullitt' or 'The French Connection,' with an emphasis on dialogue and innuendo.
However, Arnold Schwarzenegger's approach was different. He relied on his physicality to convey his character's story, with little reliance on dialogue. This unique approach presented an opportunity, as there were few others who were doing this at the time, except for another Austrian actor who also didn't require much dialogue.
Schwarzenegger's character was superior, possessing all the answers, strength, and a powerful physique that spoke for itself.
Schwarzenegger & Stallone's Rivalry Explained
Despite my best efforts, I always seemed to end up with bruises and injuries, while Arnold appeared to be invincible. I often joked with him, saying that he could take on a dragon and come back unscathed, while I struggled to even win a simple sparring match. It was a source of frustration for me, but I couldn't deny that Arnold's resilience and toughness were impressive.
Schwarzenegger and Stallone, two highly competitive individuals both on and off screen, developed a rivalry as they rose to fame around the same time in the late '70s and early '80s. When asked about the feud, Schwarzenegger revealed to Forbes last year, "We just saw each other as enemies in our own little visions. He had to get rid of me and I had to get rid of him, and that was it."
Schwarzenegger and Stallone have acknowledged that their rivalry had its benefits, as it pushed them to strive for better films. Despite their past animosity, the two became close friends in the 1990s and even collaborated on the successful Expendables franchise. While there may have been debate over who was the superior action star in the 80s, both Schwarzenegger and Stallone undoubtedly played significant roles in shaping the action cinema genre.
Source: Arnold (via IndieWire)
