Kaylah Walton
The renowned actors Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone shared the screen only once in the film ‘The Lords of Flatbush’, released in 1974. Their time on set marked the beginning of a long-standing feud that continues even after half a century. Their infamous fight scene in the movie set the stage for their tumultuous relationship.
Stallone, reflecting on the experience with Ain’t it cool News, stated: “He crossed the line. He grabbed me, and I told him to calm down. He was so engulfed in his character that interacting with him was quite challenging.” Additionally, Stallone criticized Gere’s behavior: “He walked around in his biker jacket like he was the toughest guy on set.”
The Mustard Chicken Incident
The tension between them wasn’t solely due to their on-screen altercation. In fact, the true catalyst for their animosity was a rather trivial incident involving a mustard chicken sandwich. During a lunch break, the two actors were enjoying sandwiches in a car when Stallone cautioned Gere about the mustard chicken sandwich he was eating, pointing out that it appeared to be messy.
The situation turned messy when Gere‘s sandwich ended up splattering on Stallone. “I elbowed him and pushed him out of the car,” Stallone recounted. Their clashes became unmanageable, leading the director to decide that one of the actors had to leave the production. Ultimately, Richard Gere exited the film, and Perry King was cast in his role.
A Rivalry for the Affection of Princess Diana
“He still dislikes me to this day,” Stallone revealed. The tension between the two intensified further when they unexpectedly met at a gathering hosted by Elton John in 1999—an event that included Diana, Princess of Wales. Both actors were captivated by the Princess, leading to a heated encounter that required intervention from the singer’s partner.
