Arnold Schwarzenegger Rejects Sly Stallone’s Olive Branch: ‘I Can Get My Own Yacht’

The legendary rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone is one of Hollywood’s most iconic—rife with barbs, taunts, and a fierce competition for dominance in the action film genre. Despite the two men eventually putting their differences aside, the history of their competitive relationship remains a colorful chapter in the annals of cinema lore. However, even as their rivalry cooled, Schwarzenegger’s larger-than-life persona was never one to back down, especially when it came to Stallone’s well-meaning olive branch.

The Rivalry That Defined Action Cinema

Both men carved out their niches in the action genre during the 1980s, a time when muscle-bound heroes with impenetrable accents and killer instincts dominated the box office. Stallone, who had already won acclaim for his role in Rocky and made waves in First Blood, was the reigning action star. But in stepped Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian bodybuilder with dreams of cinematic stardom and a determination to become a major force in Hollywood.

As their careers flourished, so did their rivalry. The two frequently exchanged jabs in the media, mocking each other’s failures and trying to outdo one another with blockbuster films. One of Schwarzenegger’s most memorable moments of trolling occurred when he fabricated interest in the script for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, a project so notoriously bad that he tricked Stallone into taking the role—something that would go on to be regarded as one of the worst decisions of Stallone’s career.

For years, this bitter competition seemed to define the two stars, with each one determined to prove that the genre of action films wasn’t big enough for the both of them. Their constant media bickering and public one-upmanship became a defining feature of their relationship. Despite their success, the rivalry between them never seemed to wane.

The Olive Branch: Stallone’s Boating Invitation

As with any great rivalry, time eventually has its healing effects. By the early 2000s, the two actors began to put their differences behind them, and what was once a feud became the foundation for a lasting friendship. Still, the rivalry remained present, if more subtly now, as both men continued to cement their legacies.

In a bid to rekindle their friendship, Stallone once reached out to Schwarzenegger with an invitation: a trip on his yacht. It was a gesture that reflected the thawing of their relationship, offering the chance to unwind and relax together after years of competition. However, Schwarzenegger—true to his larger-than-life persona—wasn’t exactly enthused by the idea.

“I can get my own yacht,” Schwarzenegger said in an interview with People, recalling Stallone’s invitation. “Sly calls me, ‘Want to come on the yacht?’ What, do you think I’m going to ask, ‘When can I have dinner?’ It’s not going to happen. That’s not my trip. I can’t even relax under those circumstances.”

Schwarzenegger’s Terms: “I Can’t Relax”

Schwarzenegger’s rejection of the invitation wasn’t just about his dislike of yachts—it was also a reflection of his need to do things on his own terms. While the idea of sailing the seas may have seemed like an ideal way to mend fences, Schwarzenegger was having none of it. He wasn’t the type to “relax” in the same way others might, and the idea of a yacht trip with Stallone—no matter how well-meaning—didn’t sit well with the Terminator star.

Perhaps it was simply a matter of preference, but it was clear that Schwarzenegger was always going to do things his way. Whether it’s owning tanks to crush cars or rejecting a yacht trip, Schwarzenegger’s independence and confidence are a hallmark of his larger-than-life character.

A Rivalry That Defined Their Careers

Despite their occasional bickering and playful jabs, Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s rivalry ultimately fueled both of their careers, pushing them to greater heights. Both actors eventually became synonymous with the action genre, each carving out their unique place in film history. But even as they put their past differences behind them and formed a friendship, the underlying competitiveness between them never truly faded.

For Schwarzenegger, the notion of “playing by his own rules” remained central to both his career and personal life. Whether it’s rejecting an invitation from Stallone or building a legacy as a businessman, politician, and philanthropist, Arnold has never been one to follow the conventional path.

The boating invitation story serves as a humorous reminder that, despite their shared success and mutual respect, these two icons of action cinema are—and always will be—larger-than-life figures, each determined to do things their way, on their own terms.