Arnold Schwarzenegger once tricked Sylvester Stallone into making a film that he knew would be a flop

The famous '80s action heroes sat down to discuss their careers for the Fox special “TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't afraid to use a few tricks to ensure his domination of the action movie box office in the '80s and '90s.

During the April 23 Fox special TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, IconsThe 76-year-old former governor of California revealed to Sylvester Stallone that he secretly convinced him Rocky Actor who was supposed to star in a film that he knew would be a flop. The film in question? The 1992 comedic action film To stop! Or my mother will shoot With Estelle Getty.

Schwarzenegger revealed that he and his agent worked together on a plan to convince 77-year-old Stallone to sign on for the film because they had a guess – correct – that the comedy would explode at the box office.

“Firstly, when we talked about the film, I didn’t persuade him [it] because I never talked to him about it,” The Terminator actor said. “But it was very clear that his agent told my agent, 'Look, Sly is interested in this, but I don't know if it's right for him. Tell me what you think.' And then my agent said, 'Well, Arnold really loves it, I think it's fantastic.'”

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger Says Sylvester Stallone Rivalry Helped His Career: 'I Had Something to Pursue'

From then on, Schwarzenegger only got smarter. He went on to tell Stallone that he had spoken to the film's director, Roger Spottiswoode.

“Oh my God, oh my God,” Stallone said, adding, “You talked to my director?”

The Maggie Star said Stallone's agent quickly took the bait when he found out Schwarzenegger was talking to Spottiswoode.

“So my agent said, ‘Arnold is talking to Roger Spottiswoode and he’s really excited. I think we'll take on the project.' And then of course [Stallone’s] Agent, knowing he was competing with me, said, “This can't happen.” “

According to Schwarzenegger, Stallone's agent quickly suggested his client for the lead role. “Then he immediately called the studio and said, ‘Look, you have to give this to Sly. Don't give that to Schwarzenegger, you gotta give that to Sly,'” he said.

Schwarzenegger added: “I was absolutely in heaven, of course, because I felt like the only way I could catch up with him was if he did.” [had] a stumble.” Stallone asked, “Can you get any more Machiavellian?”

In the film, Stallone plays Sgt. Joe Bomowski, who receives a visit from his meddling mother Tutti (Getty) after having his heart broken. Soon, Tutti witnesses a murder, which leads to her becoming her son's unlikely partner while continuing to give him advice about his professional and romantic relationships.

Related: Arnold Schwarzenegger linked to Robert Downey Jr.'s Oscar speech about having a 'terrible childhood'

To stop! Or my mother will shoot According to TheNumbers.com, it grossed a paltry $70,411,000 worldwide. The film was also panned by critics The New York Times wrote in 1992: “It's terrible. To stop! Or my mother will shoot plays like it's a pilot for a sitcom that didn't sell in 1975.

Despite their box office rivalry and a history full of ups and downs, the two legendary action movie stars are now close friends. Elsewhere in the special, the men shared what they admire most about each other.

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For Schwarzenegger, it's all about Stallone's “commitment and his passion.” He shared, “I wish I could be as passionate about things as he is…When you talk about scripts or the characters you play in movies, I mean, you talk about movies and there's just so much passion there. “. It's really incredible and it has to come from somewhere because he's a very emotional guy, which I'm not.

Stallone revealed that he loves how “rock solid” his friend is, adding: “He's like a season that doesn't change. Very organized, very calculated, very thoughtful.”

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