Advertisement
Sylvester Stallone, an undisputed Hollywood legend renowned for his iconic roles in some of the greatest action movies ever, including the Rocky and Rambo series, has had a remarkable and lengthy career. However, even a seasoned actor like Stallone has moments of regret, particularly when it comes to turning down substantial sums of money.
In a candid conversation with THR, Stallone revealed that he once declined a staggering $34 million, a decision he now deeply regrets. The incident occurred during the production of Rambo III. Stallone, who was anticipating the film to be a massive success, had already received a considerable payment for his role. However, when approached for a potential fourth installment, the offer was an impressive $34 million under a “pay or play” arrangement.
Reflecting on the situation, Stallone shared, “We were doing Rambo III. We thought it was going to be the biggest hit — this was before it came out. And I was paid a fortune for it. Then they go, ‘We want Rambo IV. Here it is: Pay or play, 34.’ I go, ‘Let’s not jump the gun here…'”
When the interviewer pointed out that, accounting for inflation, the rejected amount would be approximately $85 million by today’s standards, Stallone candidly responded, “For real. That’s not a joke. Oh boy, what an idiot.”
Ironically, despite turning down the initial offer, Stallone eventually went on to make Rambo 4 later on. However, by rejecting the initial pay offer during the Rambo III period, it’s evident that he likely received a substantially lower compensation for the fourth installment. Nevertheless, while Stallone might rue this costly decision, his enduring success in delivering major box-office hits suggests that he has gleaned valuable lessons from such experiences.