On the sequel, you've lost the element of surprise. Usually, on the first one you may not go very, very deep into character; the second one you start to explore the character a bit more.
— Sylvester Stallone
Crunches are much more effective than regular sit-ups because they specifically target your upper abdominal muscles rather than your hip muscles. If you're not used to them, they can cause soreness a day or two later, but it's a 'cool' soreness. A badge of honor.
I know I'm incredibly unpredictable, and that's the only thing I'm sure of.
Characters I've played, they used to impact my paintings, like 80 percent of the time, and especially when I was doing an action film.
Today's action hero, his skills are through technology. He can fly, he can throw a bolt of lightning, he can freeze people.
When I saw 'Hercules,' my mind just exploded because I was extremely thin; I was insecure. I literally ran out of the theatre and started lifting things, anything I could think of - milk crates. I'm still lifting things. It changed my life.
My favorite snack would have to be Fritos, no doubt about it. Fritos and mayonnaise. I know. Really healthy, isn't it?
If you look at people that have survived crashing in the mountains and lived up in the snow for 40 days - it's possible to do extraordinary feats.
With a lot of comedians, one of their major attributes is that they look comedic, with a certain hangdog or manic expression. I look like the neighborhood bully. That doesn't elicit laughter.
I believe an artist dies twice. The first time, it's just terrible - I've been there when the phone isn't ringing for years.
The biggest and most interesting crisis in the world is the human crisis, and it never gets boring. It goes back to Shakespeare. You don't need a gimmick; it's just man against man and their intolerance of each other.
The phenomenal thing that happened to me is that I was able to create two memorable men: one is the ultimate optimist, Rocky, and then you have Rambo, the ultimate pessimist. You're going to always be remembered for them, no matter what you do.
I think kids growing up, if they were picked on and feeling inferior at 12, they're going to feel that way at 72. You just deal with it better. I'm serious.
When boxers are in the ring, they're simple. It's when the fight is over, that's when the other fight, the real fight, begins. That's the problem.
Every morning, I crawl out of bed. I sit there and think, 'Do I really need this?' And I drag myself to the gym in my garage. It's not fun. I hate it. I work out alone. Weights.
I'm always looking for a new challenge. There are a lot of mountains to climb out there. When I run out of mountains, I'll build a new one.
If you think people are inherently good, you get rid of the police for 24 hours - see what happens.
In the movies, I kill guys with an axe. In real life, I can't control a nine-year-old girl.
I just fight in my movies, never in real life.
Some actors are brilliant character guys. They submerge.
Now it really is, believe it or not, 90% of the films are green lit, not by the studio heads, but by the marketing department.
Usually whenever you're scared of something, do it. If you're not afraid of it, don't do it.
I've made a lot of career mistakes. A lot. Actually, a lot of personal ones, too.
Sometimes I write with music on, and if I'm in a good flow, I don't even hear it.
People assume that 'The Expendables' is old school, but it's only old school because that's the way I know how to make an action film. It's pretty real.
Nothing's harder than writing. There's no comparison. With directing, you can bounce a lot of ideas around. There's tremendous support - you've got editors and sound mixers. With writing, it's all you, and it's just crippling when people tear up your pages.
All good actors are unpredictable, and a little crazy in a good way, because they feel more secure playing other people than themselves.
There aren't a lot of opportunities for that rite of passage that makes you a man. War is one of them, and violent sports are another.
The body needs to rest. It needs a lot less exercise than you think.
Boxing is sort of an inevitability. We know they are going to be pounding each other.
Voices are like fingerprints, from Cagney to Bogart. They never lost it. My voice is instrumental in categorizing me.
When I'm doing a movie, I eat the same thing every day. For lunch, it's tuna salad or chicken salad and cole slaw. That's it. For dinner it's either veal and rice, fish and rice or steak and rice. It gets boring; boy, does it get boring.
I used to tweet, but it's an act of futility. You're not really making any impact, and if you find yourself in a mood when you wanna be a bit controversial and you post something, you suddenly realise, 'Oh my God!' because you've opened yourself up to a bunch of criticism from strangers.
The world will never come together and say, 'We are one.'
People don't realize that when they 'throw out' their back, it's often because of weak abs. These muscles are essential for lower-back strength and good posture.
We're all expendable. We think the world's going to stop when a pope dies, or a king. And then... life goes on.
There's no one in the world close to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a phenomenon. He's brilliant.
If you're willing to take the humiliation of sticking your head above the crowd, maybe it's, you know, the pleasure will be worth the pain.
I've had a lot of operations. I'm kind of like Franken-actor.
All young men want to prove themselves.
Your brain is triggered to produce.
Good action films - not crap, but good action films - are really morality plays. They deal in modern, mythic culture.
A lot of guys don't want to admit that they have a propensity for generosity and for violence.
There might have been a period around 'Tango & Cash' when I was nearly fashionable. My problem is that my weight's always been changing for the movies I'm in.
If you express yourself too much, you're considered weak.
A lot of women read male magazines. Of course, a lot of guys read female magazines, but they've got another issue to deal with. But a lot of women read men's magazines and think, 'Oh, this is what these guys are thinking? Studying up on the enemy here.'
Years ago I was diagnosed with a condition, and my doctors prescribed human growth hormone and testosterone for its treatment. Under medical supervision, I have continued to use both medications.
I know I can't play funny roles in movies. I tried, and it didn't work.
When a parent loses a child, there is no greater pain.
Testosterone to me is so important for a sense of well-being when you get older.
