The making of The Expendables was not always a happy place, as Dolph Lundgren reflects on Sylvester Stallone tensions.
There’s a little bit of happy history between Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren, a pair of chaps I’ve no desire to get into any kind of fisticuffs with. Stallone cast Lundgren in Rocky IV all the way back in 1985, and an inspired choice he’d prove to be. Sure, Lundgren would break a rib or two of Stallone’s during their on screen fight, but find a more enjoyable Rocky movie and I’ll be hugely impressed.
The pair came back together on the big screen for 2010’s The Expendables, a movie that Stallone in the end elected to direct. But then things really didn’t go quite as well. Lundgren has reflected on this in a chat with In Depth With Graham Bensinger, where he recalls Stallone yelling at him in front of the crew on the film, making Lundgren do 20 takes on it.
Stallone allegedly yelled at Lundgren, telling him “’my grandmother could do it better than that’”, amongst other choice comments. On the day that press happened to be on set as well.
What happened? Well, in the words of Dolph, “he 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 going to knock him out and [“cluck” – Ed] this movie, I’m out of here. I’m just going to punch him out and [“clucking” – Ed] leave’”.
As it turned out, Stallone had detected the tension, and quickly apologised. The Expendables and sequels happened, and the pair are friendly.
Lundgren also revealed that he’s been battling cancer for the past few years, but that things may have taken a positive turn there. Here’s hoping.
The Expendables 4 arrives this September.
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