Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are two action icons who have always stood out. For years, these two cinematic titans ruled the genre, seducing audiences with their captivating performances and exaggerated on-screen characters. Yes, Stallone undoubtedly had an amazing career, but there are several films that could have had even greater historical significance if Schwarzenegger had starred in them.
Without a doubt, Stallone forever influenced the action genre. But the image of Schwarzenegger playing some of the roles of the First Blood star adds to the intrigue and gives us new insight into these films and the potential they could have had.
Take a look at the six Stallone films the Terminator star was supposed to star in.
1. Demolition Man (1993)
Sylvester Stallone portrays the tough and ferocious John Spartan, aka “The Destroyer,” in this sci-fi thrill ride set in the future. The film becomes even more impressive when you introduce Arnold Schwarzenegger as a ruthless and risky cop. According to the LA Times, the film took first place at the box office. The film received mixed reviews from critics; it grossed $159 million worldwide and was hailed as a Rocky star success.RELATED:
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2. Judge Dredd (1995)
Although this dystopian comic book adaptation starred Sylvester Stallone as Judge Dredd, his performance lacked the stoicism and gravitas that the character required. The 1995 Danny Cannon film has an approval rating of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 4.00/10 based on reviews from 55 critics. That being said, the commanding presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger would bring the iconic Judge Joseph Dredd to life with never-before-seen intensity.
3. Assassins (1995)
Sylvester Stallone, playing a seasoned hitman (Robert Rath/Joseph Rath) opposite Antonio Banderas (Miguel Bain), gave a decent performance in Richard Donner’s 1995 action film. According to the LA Times, “Assassins” opened at the box office in second place behind Brad Pitt’s “Seven.” With $30.3 million at the US box office and another $53 million at the worldwide box office, the film grossed $83.3 million. However, the fact that Schwarzenegger plays a cold-blooded killer eliminates any doubt about the character’s skill. This film could have been a thrilling extravaganza with his physicality and remarkable ability to play cold-blooded killers so effortlessly.
4. Get Carter (2000)
In this tense crime thriller from Stephen Kay, Sylvester Stallone plays a vengeful gangster (Jack Carter) seeking justice for the death of his brother. Despite a production budget of nearly $64 million, the 2000 film received negative reviews and was a box office bomb, earning an estimated $19 million worldwide. Either way, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s natural ability to portray menace, as seen in Predator, Total Recall and True Lies, would have made him even more terrifying in Get Carter. This would be a unique chance to see the former professional bodybuilder perform the role in his own unique style.
5. Oscar (1991)
Sylvester Stallone played the tenacious gangster Angelo “Snaps” Provolone, demonstrating his comedic skills. The actor played a mafia boss who swore to his dying father that he would give up crime and become a respectable businessman. The film, which received mixed reviews from critics, was a remake of the 1967 French film of the same name. While Stallone made some people laugh, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s excellent comic timing, as seen in films like Twins, Kindergarten Cop, and Jingle All the Way, could have contributed significantly to the film’s comedy.