Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren first crossed paths during the making of Rocky IV. Stallone, impressed by Lundgren’s “flawless” qualities, chose him to portray the imposing character Ivan Drago. Although they formed a friendship on set, it wasn’t until the launch of the Expendables franchise in 2010 that they teamed up professionally again. However, Lundgren recently revealed a tense moment during the filming of the first Expendables movie when he wanted to punch Stallone.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Lundgren shared that he and Stallone have had their ups and downs, comparing their relationship to that of a family. He recalled a time when Stallone, who not only acted but also directed the first Expendables film, was “very harsh” towards him. Stallone shouted at Lundgren in front of the crew, made him do numerous takes for a scene, and criticized his performance at that moment.
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Despite this rough patch, the disagreement didn’t last long, and no actual physical altercations occurred. It brings to mind another incident when Lundgren was blamed for Stallone’s hospitalization during the making of Rocky IV, though Lundgren suspected it was an “insurance scam.” Additionally, last year, Stallone called out Lundgren over the development of a Drago spinoff, leading Lundgren to clarify details about the Rocky franchise project.
Nevertheless, Stallone and Lundgren have maintained a good relationship overall. The Expendables marked the beginning of their consistent collaboration. They reprised their roles as Gunner and Barney in two more films and will return once again for The Expendables 4, set to release in 2023. Stallone completed his work on the fourth installment early, suggesting a limited presence in the movie, with Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas taking on the lead role. The duo also reunited for Creed II in 2018, and Lundgren will be appearing in The Family Stallone, a reality series premiering on Paramount+.
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Fans eagerly anticipating The Expendables 4 can catch it in theaters starting September 22. Lundgren will also reprise his role as Nereus in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, set to release on December 20. Meanwhile, Stallone can currently be seen as Stakar Ogord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Despite their occasional conflicts, Stallone and Lundgren continue to work together and maintain a professional relationship. The Expendables franchise has been a significant part of their collaboration, allowing them to bring their action-packed chemistry to the big screen. Fans of these iconic actors can look forward to seeing them in their respective upcoming projects, showcasing their talents and entertaining audiences worldwide.
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