How Dolph Lundgren REALLY Feels About Sylvester Stallone

Correct me if I'm wrong, guys, Sylvester Stallone was the one that really got you into bodybuilding early on? Yeah, what happened was I was up for Rocky IV and I realized after meeting him, actually, that he... On the Paramount lot? Yeah, Paramount lot. I met him and he said, you got to put on 10 pounds of muscle. So I started doing bodybuilding and then when I finally got the role, we did bodybuilding together. Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone are two of the biggest names in action cinema. Their careers intertwined by iconic roles, mutual respect, and a friendship forged through years of collaboration. Lundgren first rose to international fame as Ivan Drago, the imposing Soviet boxer in Rocky IV, a film that pitted him against Stallone's legendary Rocky Balboa. While their on-screen rivalry was explosive, their off-screen relationship has been filled with highs and lows, from near-physical altercations to deep camaraderie. The punch that sent Stallone to the ICU. When Rocky IV hit theaters in 1985, it wasn't just another sequel. It was a cultural event. The film, which depicted Rocky Balboa going up against the seemingly unstoppable Soviet powerhouse Ivan Drago, became one of the most famous entries in the Rocky franchise. What many fans didn't know at the time, however, was how brutal the filming process had been, especially for Stallone. During a now-infamous moment on set, Stallone encouraged Lundgren to go full force in their fight scenes to capture the intensity of the bout. Lundgren, a trained martial artist and former European heavyweight karate champion, didn't hold back. In one devastating blow, he punched Stallone so hard in the chest that the impact caused severe internal injuries. Stallone later described it as being hit by a streetcar named Drago. The force of the punch bruised his heart muscle, leading to a four-day stay in the ICU. The severity of the injury was unexpected, as Stallone initially thought he had only suffered mild bruising. However, after experiencing difficulty breathing and a sharp pain in his chest, he was flown to a hospital for emergency medical attention. Doctors later revealed that the punch had caused swelling in his pericardial sac, putting his heart under extreme stress. Lundgren at the time had no idea how serious the incident was. In a recent interview, he recalled how he found out about Stallone's hospitalization. We shot the last fight first. I was in Vancouver, and the producer called me and said, oh, you got two weeks off. And I'm like, oh, great, you know, what happened? He said, oh, Sly's in the hospital. So I just found out about it like everybody else. He expressed concern upon hearing the news and checked in with the production team to ensure Stallone was okay. Despite the unfortunate injury, both actors have since looked back on the experience with humor, acknowledging that the intense realism they strived for in the film led to an unforgettable and painful lesson in method acting. While the incident was unintentional, it set the stage for the tough, competitive, yet respectful relationship that Lundgren and Stallone would share over the years. It also solidified Lundgren's reputation as a powerhouse in Hollywood, proving he was more than capable of holding his own against the biggest stars in the industry. Tension on the set of The Expendables He was married to Bridget Nielsen, who was a woman who played my wife in Rocky IV. She was unhappy with what was going on with him, so she kind of used me a little bit to make him jealous. First day of shooting, I'm in makeup, and he just comes up and goes, we'll talk for a second. And he's director and producer and writer of this movie and my sparring partner. So, of course, I'm like all ears. He goes, you know, stop hating on Gita. After their rocky days, Lundgren and Stallone reunited for The Expendables franchise, a celebration of old-school action heroes. But their dynamic wasn't always smooth sailing. During the filming of the first Expendables movie in 2010, tensions ran high between the two stars. Lundgren later revealed in an interview with Graham Bensinger that Stallone's intense directing style led to a near-explosive confrontation. Stallone, known for his perfectionism, pushed Lundgren hard during a particular scene, publicly criticizing his performance. According to Lundgren, Stallone's words were cutting. Quote, My grandmother could do better than that. What the F are you doing? Stallone's intensity as a director was something many actors had experienced before, but for Lundgren, it felt personal given their long history. Lundgren was deeply upset, even calling his wife at the time and telling her that if Stallone had said one more word, he was ready to punch him and walk off the set. However, before things escalated, Stallone approached him and apologized, diffusing the situation. Reflecting on the moment, Lundgren acknowledged that their working relationship is like family, filled with ups and downs but ultimately based on respect. He later admitted that Stallone's high expectations and demanding approach pushed him to be a better actor and performer. Despite the occasional friction, the two continued working together on subsequent Expendables films. The Drago Spinoff Controversy Despite their long history of collaboration, Lundgren and Stallone found themselves at odds in 2022 when news surfaced of a rocky spinoff centered on Lundgren's character, Ivan Drago. Stallone was vocal about his disappointment, stating that he was never consulted about the project. He took to social media, expressing frustration that he was being left out of the process. His posts conveyed deep disappointment, even suggesting that the franchise was being exploited without his involvement. Lundgren, in response, clarified that he assumed Stallone was involved and that no deals had been finalized. Quote, There's no approved script, no deals in place, no director, and I was personally under the impression that my friend Sly Stallone was involved as a producer or even as an actor, he wrote, trying to smooth over the misunderstanding. He also reached out privately to Stallone to clarify the situation. Lundgren's Perspective on Stallone Today Despite the occasional conflicts and creative disagreements, Lundgren has never wavered in his admiration for Stallone. He's frequently credited Stallone with launching his career, acknowledging that without Rocky IV, his Hollywood trajectory might have been very different. He's repeatedly expressed gratitude for the opportunities that Stallone provided him, stating that he owes much of his success to the Rocky legend. In interviews, Lundgren has described Stallone as a mentor and a role model, someone who challenged him to be better both on and off screen. We've had our differences, but he's like family, Lundgren has said. Quote, You don't always get along with family, but at the end of the day, you know you're there for each other. Their bond has endured decades of Hollywood ups and downs, proving that even in the high-stakes world of action cinema, true friendships can stand the test of time. Collaborations Beyond Rocky and The Expendables While Rocky IV and The Expendables might be the first films that come to mind when discussing Stallone and Lundgren's partnership, their collaborations extend far beyond these blockbusters. The two actors have developed a working relationship that spans multiple decades, leading to numerous projects that showcase their mutual respect and admiration. In addition to starring together in all four Expendables films, Lundgren made appearances in Stallone's Creed II, reprising his role as Ivan Drago. This marked a pivotal moment for both actors, as it allowed them to revisit the legacy of Rocky IV while presenting their characters in a more complex, evolved manner. Rather than the cold, robotic villain that he once was, Lundgren's Drago was given depth, portraying a man who had lost everything and was now seeking redemption through his son, Victor Drago. Stallone's involvement in Creed II provided an opportunity for both actors to reflect on their long history together and showcase the growth of their characters over time. They have also frequently supported each other's projects behind the scenes. Lundgren has spoken highly of Stallone's ability to blend writing, directing, and acting, often praising him for his creative vision. Likewise, Stallone has acknowledged Lundgren's talent as both an action star and a filmmaker, encouraging him in his directorial ventures, including films like The Mechanic and Castle Falls. While they may not always be in front of the camera together, their influence on each other's careers is undeniable. Their camaraderie extends beyond work. Both men have publicly shared stories of their time together, from intense training sessions to moments of humor on set. Their friendship is rooted in a shared understanding of what it takes to be an action star, a bond forged through years of working in an industry that often demands both physical and mental resilience. Even when not officially collaborating, their paths continue to cross, solidifying their status as two of Hollywood's most enduring action icons. Now it's time to hear from you. What's your favorite scene from Rocky 4? Let us know in the comments section below.