The legendary rivalry between Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger is a cornerstone of Hollywood history, defined by decades of intense one-upmanship and public jabs.
While some of their competitive behavior was truly harsh—such as the time Stallone reportedly fed a journalist false claims about Schwarzenegger’s past—some of their best battles involved hilarious acts of creative sabotage.
The most famous instance of this occurred when Schwarzenegger successfully manipulated Stallone into taking a role in the critically panned 1992 comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.
Schwarzenegger eventually confessed to the prank, admitting that he had read the script and immediately realized it was a piece of s**t. Rather than just passing on the project, he decided to use the duo's fierce competition to his advantage when Stallone called to ask if he was considering the role.
Schwarzenegger told him that he was actually thinking about doing it and described the film as a brilliant idea, knowing Stallone would do whatever it takes to snatch the lead away from his rival.
The plan worked perfectly, and Stallone signed on for what he now considers to be one of the worst films in the entire solar system. He has since joked that a flatworm could write a better script than the one he was tricked into filming.
This era of their relationship was so famously hostile that it even has its own dedicated Wikipedia page, documenting a feud that Stallone once described as a time when even their DNA hated each other.
Fortunately, the two icons eventually buried the hatchet in the late 1990s, transitioning from bitter enemies to inseparable friends. Stallone has since become a vocal admirer of Schwarzenegger’s work, even listing his favorite movies from his former rival during a 2022 Discord AMA.
His top pick was the 1991 masterpiece Terminator 2: Judgment Day, though he couldn't help but joke that Schwarzenegger had the easiest movies in the world because his characters simply walk down the middle of the street, punching the crap out of everybody without getting hurt.
Stallone also expressed deep respect for the 1994 action-comedy True Lies, another collaboration between Schwarzenegger and director James Cameron. He praised the film for the way it combined wit, the romantic aspect, the charm, and great action into one cohesive package.
These days, the two are often seen supporting each other's ventures, proving that time—and perhaps a shared investment in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain—really can heal all wounds.
As of February 2026, both actors remain incredibly active in the industry, continuing to redefine what it means to be an action star in their 70s. Sylvester Stallone is currently generating massive buzz for the upcoming biographical drama I Play Rocky, which is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on November 20.
The film stars Anthony Ippolito as a young Stallone and explores the tumultuous behind-the-scenes production of the original 1976 Rocky, a project that Stallone famously wrote and fought to star in.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is also keeping his schedule packed with diverse projects, including the highly anticipated buddy action-comedy The Man with the Bag. The film, which is expected to arrive later this year, features Schwarzenegger as a very different kind of hero—Santa Claus—who teams up with a thief played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson to recover his stolen magical sack.
Whether they are revisiting their most iconic roles or mentoring the next generation of action stars like Ritchson, the impact of Stallone and Schwarzenegger is undeniable. They have moved from trying to derail each other to becoming a unified front of Hollywood statesmanship.
Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger’s prank on Sylvester Stallone with Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot is the greatest "troll" movie in Hollywood history, or do you have a different favorite celebrity feud moment? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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