Sylvester Stallone is one of the most bankable action heroes and one of the few actors to ever have a film top the box office for six straight decades.
The 76-year-old Academy Award nominee admitted that he has had several regrets in his life, one of which was turning down an offered $34 million salary for his role in another Rambo film in the ’80s.
When asked what he was paid the most for one of his dozens of roles, Stallone proudly told The Hollywood Reporter that he refused to do another Rambo movie, even for millions of dollars.
“I turned down 34,” he said of the huge salary he let go of at a young age. “We were making Rambo III. We thought it would be the biggest hit – that was before it came out. And they paid me a fortune for it. And then they said, “We want Rambo IV.” Here it is: pay or play, 34.” I say: “Let’s not rush here…” “And that’s in 1980 dollars,” Stallone added. THR suggested that due to inflation, $34 million would now be worth approximately $85 million. “In fact. I’m not kidding. Oh my god, what an idiot. Now I think about it and… wow.”
RELATED:
Rambo 3: Sylvester Stallone always had a problem with the film
Stallone played former soldier John James Rambo in five films. The character suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, which made him prone to violent outbursts and became a survival expert thanks to his time spent in the Vietnam War.
When it came to long-rumored another Rambo project, Stallone was hopeful for the future.
“I think it will happen,” he said. “I wanted to make it like a Ken Burns documentary about Vietnam, where you throw young Rambo in there and he’s a gregarious guy, a football captain, and then you understand why he becomes Rambo.
the day’s story where I pass the torch. It’s already close.”
The difficult part of Stallone’s success has been coming to terms with failed projects or imperfect pursuits in his career.
“I felt like I wasted a lot of time. Now I realize that there are very few bullets left in the gun. Very little,” he said. “When you’re young, you just shoot randomly and hope you hit something. Now you don’t have the luxury of missing out – especially with family and children. I think that’s my biggest regret.”
He added: “Everyone says, ‘I wish I could show more love’ or ‘I wish I could spend more time with the kids.’ I ride this boat. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to do a reality show that I put up with so much crap for.”
Stallone’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, filed for divorce Aug. 19 in Palm Beach County after 25 years of marriage. At the time, Stallone confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement: “I love my family. We resolve these personal issues in a friendly and confidential manner.”
They have three daughters: Scarlet, Sofia and Sistine.
He was previously married to Brigitte Nielsen from 1985–87 and had sons Sirgio and Sage with ex-wife Sasha Chuck. Sage died of heart disease at age 36 in 2012.
While divorce was being discussed, the couple reconciled weeks later when a Florida judge signed a stay of proceedings. He admitted that the tumultuous time in his relationship will be part of his new reality show with his family.
“I thought it would be the best home movie ever.
This is a chance where I will be with my kids in a work environment where they will see me in action and I will see them in action,” he said. “What you will see is the real truth. This is a great opportunity. I don’t look at it as a humiliation to win. But every time you go in a different direction, people say, “Oh God, you must be in trouble.” .’ Just the opposite.”
Another important moment in his life is his friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Sly said that Arnold is “very wise” and likes to talk about “philosophy.”
“It’s nice to talk to someone who really put his money where his mouth is and got it done,” he said. “Then we start messing around and going crazy—just laughing about old times. I told him, “We are the last two tyrannosaurs.” We’re the last two to eat meat, and there’s not much beef left. So we better enjoy each other.”