Dolph Lundgren Talks About Wanting to Punch Sylvester Stallone Out While Shooting THE EXPENDABLES
Dolph Lundgren had some rough times while working with Sylvester Stallone on the 2010 action film The Expendables. Stallone directed the movie, and there was a point during production when Lundgren was not happy with how Stallone was treating him. He says it got to the point where he wanted to punch Stallone out and quit the production.
Lundgren talked about this experience in an interview with “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” saying that, “We had some good times and bad times, kinda like family to some degree.” He then went on to share what Stallone did that set him off:
“He was very harsh on me in a scene in ‘The Expendables’ where he kinda yelled at me in front of the whole crew and had me do about 20 takes on a scene. It was like, ‘My grandmother could do it better than that. What the fuck, what are you doing?’ You know, basically in front of everybody. And there was press there that day too, international press.”
Lundgren went on to talk about the aftermath of that and what was going through his head. One thing he wanted to do was knock the filmmaker out. However, Stallone knew he was wrong to do what he did and ended up apologizing for his actions. Lundgren said:
“We took a lunch break and I remember I was kind of in tears. I was really upset. I called my wife that time and I basically just told her, ‘If he says one more word, I’m gonna knock him out and fuck this movie, I’m outta here. I’m just gonna punch him out and fucking leave.’ And I think when I walked on the set, people felt it wasn’t such a good vibration. And then I had a tap on the back and it was Sly. And he was like, ‘Uh, I’m sorry about that. Let’s just do another take and let’s just keep moving on.’ And we’ve had a few run-ins over the years, but what can I say, he’s a crazy Italian. I think he knows that I’ve always respected him and loved him, and I think that’s why we’re still friends.”
Lundgren and Stallone have continued to work together over the years, and most recently appeared together in Creed II. When it was announced last year that MGM was developing a new Rocky spinoff movie centered on the Drago family, Stallone spoke out against the project, saying:
“By the way, I have nothing but respect for Dolph but I wish HE had told me what was going on behind my back. Keep your REAL friends close.”
Lundgren then responded saying: “Just to set the record straight regarding a possible Drago spinoff. 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. There was a press leak last week which was unfortunate. In touch with Mr. Balboa – just so all the fans can relax… There ya go.”
After everything they’ve been through, the two remain friends and they recently worked together on The Expendables 4, which is coming later this year.
Via: Variety