Sylvester Stallone has recently praised his former rival Arnold Schwarzenegger, calling him the “superior” action star.

In a Netflix docuseries featuring the bodybuilding champion, Stallone said that they had different styles of acting, with Schwarzenegger being superior due to his impressive physique and strength, which suited his character.

Despite having loathed each other at the start of their careers, both actors aspired to be the definitive action guy of the 1980s, leading to intense competition between them.

Stallone stated that up until that point, action films were primarily based on car chases such as Bullitt or The French Connection, and dialogue was more focused on intellect and innuendo.

In contrast, physicality and body language became more important in action movies, creating an opportunity for both actors.

Although dialogue was not necessary in these new action movies, Stallone saw an opportunity as no one else was doing it, except for Schwarzenegger, who hailed from Austria and did not need to say much.

Both actors enjoyed flourishing careers as action stars in the 1980s, leading to bitter rivalry between them.

Stallone admitted last year that they couldn’t stand to be in the same galaxy together for a while during a 2022 interview on The Jonathan Ross Show.

He even claimed that Schwarzenegger tricked him into starring in the critically panned film Stop!

Or My Mom Will Shoot in 1992, which he deemed “a piece of s***”.

However, he managed to sneak in a jibe at Arnie’s own widely reviled 1994 flick Junior by saying, “At least I wasn’t pregnant in a film, Arnold.

We’re even.”

Despite their initial hostility, the two have since settled into a friendly equation, even starring together in two Expendables films and the 2013 movie Escape Plan.

Last November, Stallone stated that Schwarzenegger was “very wise and loved to talk about philosophies,” and added that it was good to talk to a man who had achieved what he said he would.

Stallone further claimed that the two were the last two meat-eaters and there wasn’t much beef left out there.

So they’d better enjoy each other.

The two even went viral in October when they shared a photo of their pumpkin carving contest on Instagram.

Last year, Stallone teased that Schwarzenegger would be making a cameo on his upcoming reality show, The Family Stallone, as well as Schwarzenegger’s pet donkey, Lulu.

Despite their past animosity, the two are now enjoying a friendly and supportive relationship, having put their rivalry behind them.