Sylvester Stallone faced a career slump before finding a resurgence with ‘The Expendables.’ The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, marked Stallone’s return to the box office limelight. However, the actor-direc tor revealed the intense toll the project took on him in the Netflix documentary ‘Sly.’ Stallone admitted that the “filming was hell” emphasizing the physical and mental challenges he endured.
“Having family there all the time… it was very hard for them because I was very stressed and devastated.: bronchitis, canker sores, broken neck… And it was one, and another, and another. So I didn’t like it,” Stallone claimed. His co-star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, also acknowledged the extreme conditions. “It’s common for an action hero to get injured on set, but I think it’s clear that Sly pushed himself to the limit. That seemed like a lot to me,” he noted.
Filming took a toll on him.
Despite the challenging shoot, ‘The Expendables’ revitalized Stallone’s career, leading to sequels and the return of Rocky in ‘Creed.’ The documentary sheds light on the personal cost Stallone paid for his enduring success in the film industry. “Sincerely, I never fully recovered from The Mercenaries,” Stallone indicated. “It took a toll on my body. I was never the same again. Never. And you say: ‘Was it worth it? Are you doing it for people’s approval? Really?’ It’s almost like a child needs a hug from his father.”