Arnold Schwarzenegger Confesses to Trickery That Led Sylvester Stallone into Flop Movie
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
In a revealing and humorous moment during Fox’s April 23, 2024 special TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons, Arnold Schwarzenegger shared how he once slyly maneuvered Sylvester Stallone into starring in a movie he knew was destined to fail—Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992).
The film, a comedic action flick co-starring Estelle Getty, became infamous for its poor reception and dismal box office performance. Schwarzenegger admitted that he and his agent engineered a plan to get Stallone involved, believing the movie would bomb and potentially give Schwarzenegger a competitive edge in their long-standing rivalry.
“I never talked to him about it,” Schwarzenegger explained. “But it was very clear that his agent was telling my agent, ‘Look, Sly is interested in doing it, but I don’t know if it’s the right thing for him.’ Then my agent said, ‘Well you know, Arnold really loves it. I think it’s fantastic.’”
The plot thickened when Schwarzenegger claimed he convinced Stallone that he had personally spoken to the film’s director, Roger Spottiswoode. Stallone’s reaction was priceless: “Oh my God, oh my God. You talked to my director?” This only pushed Stallone’s agent to quickly secure the lead role for his client.
“So my agent said, ‘Arnold is talking to Roger Spottiswoode now and he’s really into it, I think we’re gonna take the project,’” Schwarzenegger recalled. “Then Stallone’s agent, knowing he’s competitive with me, said, ‘Cannot let that happen.’ He called the studio and said, ‘You got to give this to Sly. Don’t give it to Arnold.’”
The outcome? Stallone accepted the role in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, which grossed only $70.4 million worldwide—a box office disappointment by early ’90s standards. Critics slammed the film, with The New York Times calling it “terrible” and likening it to an unsold 1975 sitcom pilot.
Despite this sly move and years of on-and-off rivalry, Schwarzenegger and Stallone now share a warm friendship. During the special, both expressed admiration for each other’s qualities. Schwarzenegger praised Stallone’s “dedication and passion,” noting, “I wish I could be as passionate about things as he is. He’s a very emotional guy, which I’m not.”
In return, Stallone admired Schwarzenegger’s steadiness: “He’s like a season that doesn’t change. Very organized, very calculated, very thoughtful.”
This behind-the-scenes anecdote adds a playful layer to one of Hollywood’s most famous rivalries—showing that beneath the tough exterior, Arnold and Sly share a bond marked by respect, humor, and a little Machiavellian mischief.
