Arnold Schwarzengger reveals how he tricked action star rival Sylvester Stallone to star in a horrible movie: ‘Can you get more Machiavellian?’

By William On Apr 21, 2024

In the heyday of the 1980s/1990s, action star rivals Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzengger competed for everything, including the best scripts, the best body, the biggest guns, and the most kills per film.

In 1991, the Austrian-born 76-year-old even managed to trick the 77-year-old native New Yorker into starring in the dreadful buddy-cop action comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, with Golden Girls scene stealer Estelle Getty.

Not only did Arnie have his agent lie to Sly’s agent about his desire to star in the “fantastic” film, he even spoke to director Roger Spottiswoode (who he later worked with on The 6th Day in 2000).

“So my agent [told Sly’s agent]”Arnold is talking to Roger Spottiswoode. And he’s really into it. I think we’re going to take on the project,” Schwarzengger recalled in a preview of TMZ special Arnold & Sly.

‘And of course his agent knows he’s competitive with me, he can’t let that happen. And so he immediately called the studio: “Look, you have to give this to Sly! Don’t give it to Schwarzenegger. Give it to Sly.” And they said, “Good.” Sly got it and then he got the movie, so of course I was in absolute heaven because I felt like the only way I could catch up to him is if he stumbles.”

In the heyday of the 1980s/90s, action star rivals Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzengger competed for everything, including the best scripts, the best body, the biggest guns and the most kills per film (pictured in 2022)

In 1991, the Austrian-born 76-year-old even managed to trick the 77-year-old native New Yorker (L) into starring in the dreadful buddy-cop action comedy Stop! Of My Mom Will Shoot, with Golden Girls scene stealer Estelle Getty (R)

“Can you get any more Machiavellian?” Stallone marveled.

The former California governor added, “I said, ‘We’ve got to go and make him a failure.’

‘Unbelievable!’ exclaimed the Italian stallion.

Stop! Despite this, Of My Mom Will Shoot still managed to amass $70.6 million at the worldwide box office dismal reviewsand Sly received the Worst Actor trophy at the Golden Raspberry Awards for his role as Sergeant Joseph Andrew Bomowski.

Ironically, 1991 was the same year that the Golden Globe winners first teamed up with Bruce Willis to become investors in the Planet Hollywood theme restaurant chain, and there are still three restaurants and four hotels in operation today.

“When we both invested in Planet Hollywood, we started flying around the world together to promote it and became fantastic friends,” Schwarzenegger said.

“He’s a wonderful person and we’re inseparable now.”

Arnold and Sylvester also starred together in four action films: The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012), Escape Plan (2013) and The Expendables 3 (2014).

Not only did Arnie have his agent lie to Sly’s agent about his desire to star in the “fantastic” film, he even spoke to director Roger Spottiswoode (M, whom he later worked with on The 6th Day in 2000)

Schwarzengger recalled, “So my agent [told Sly’s agent]”Arnold is talking to Roger Spottiswoode. And he’s really looking forward to it. I think we’re going to take the project.” And of course his agent knows he’s competitive with me – he can’t let that happen.”

The former California governor added, “And so he immediately called the studio: ‘Look, you gotta give this to Sly! Don’t give it to Schwarzenegger. Give it to Sly.’ And they said, “Good.” Sly got it and then he got the movie, so of course I was in absolute heaven because I felt like the only way I could catch up to him is if he stumbles.

“Can you get any more Machiavellian?” Stallone marveled

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot still managed to amass $70.6 million at the global box office despite dismal reviews, and Sly received the Worst Actor trophy at the Golden Raspberry Awards for his role as Sergeant Joseph Andrew Bomowski.

Ironically, 1991 was the same year that the Golden Globe winners first teamed up with Bruce Willis (R, pictured in 1993) to become investors in the Planet Hollywood theme restaurant chain, and today there are still three restaurants and four hotels in company.

Arnold and Sylvester also starred together in four action films: The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012), Escape Plan (2013) and The Expendables 3 (2014).

This month, the Emmy-winning producer — who just had a pacemaker surgically implanted — will reprise his role as CIA agent Luke Brunner in the second season of Nick Santora’s daddy-daughter spy comedy series FUBAR for Netflix.

The three-time Oscar nominee – who reportedly mocked the appearance of background actors – has been hard at work reprising his role as mafia capo Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi in the second season of Taylor Sheridan’s drama Tulsa King for Paramount+

TMZ Presents Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons airs next Tuesday at 8pm ET on Fox and streams on Hulu the following day.

And the three-time Oscar nominee – who reportedly mocked the appearance of background actors – has been hard at work reprising his role as mob capo Dwight ‘The General’ Manfredi in the second season of Taylor Sheridan’s drama Tulsa King for Paramount+.