What movie did Arnold Schwarzenegger tricked Sylvester Stallone into making?

Arnold Schwarzenegger famously tricked Sylvester Stallone into starring in the 1992 action-comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. This incident stands as one of the most amusing and widely confirmed urban legends in Hollywood casting history.

The Famous Hollywood Trick

The maneuver was a strategic prank orchestrated by Schwarzenegger, leveraging his rivalry with Stallone during the peak of their action-star careers. The core of the trick involved Schwarzenegger feigning intense interest in the script for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Here's how the prank unfolded:

• The Setup: Schwarzenegger, aware of the script for Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, identified it as a potential box office disappointment.
• The Deception: He pretended to be very keen on taking the lead role, creating a false impression of a desirable project.
• The Bait: Knowing Stallone was always vying for similar roles and often chose films based on what his rival might be considering, Schwarzenegger's feigned interest acted as bait.
• The Trap: Stallone, wanting to secure what he perceived as a potentially good project that Schwarzenegger was also eyeing, reportedly signed on for the film.
• The Confirmation: Schwarzenegger later confirmed he indeed tricked Stallone, admitting his role in getting his then-rival to sign onto what he considered a "sure-to-be dud."

Overview of the Incident

This table summarizes the key elements of the famous Hollywood trick:

This memorable prank highlights the intense yet often humorous competition that characterized the relationship between the two iconic action stars during their peak.