‘I still hate it’: 51 years ago Sylvester Stallone fired the very famous actor from the film.

A little over half a century ago, a young Sylvester Stallone had a tense moment with a now famous actor: Richard Gere. Two men almost collided on the set of the 1974 film Hands in Pockets. Little known today, this feature film tells the story of teenagers in Brooklyn in 1958 who form a gang nicknamed the Flatbush Gentlemen, amidst chases, fights and first love.

Initially, he was supposed to play the role of Chico, one of the gang members Richard Gere. Gere had little screen experience at the time, only one TV movie, but it came from the theater where he played Danny Zuko. fat. Stallone had already made several film appearances, and the role of Stanley was his second real “leading role” after the wisecracking rebel – who reappeared years later as an impostor.

Explosive shot

In an interview with the site in 2006 isn’t that cool (Through SlashFilm), Sylvester Stallone Back to the tension that was against him Richard Gere.

“He strutted around in his big motorcycle jacket like he was the baddest knight at the round table. One day, during an improvisation, he grabbed my hand (we were simulating a fight scene) and got a little carried away. I kindly told him to calm down, but he was so into his role that it was impossible to argue.“

Another anecdote illustrates their conflict: “We were rehearsing at Coney Island. It was lunch break (…) and the only warm place was behind Toyota. I was eating a hot dog and it arrived with half a chicken covered in mustard and grease almost dripping from the foil wrapper. I said, “These things are leaking everywhere.” He said, “Don’t worry.” I said, “If it gets on my pants, you’ll know about it.” He starts biting into the chicken and a little greasy river of mustard runs down my thigh. I hit my head next to my elbow and threw myself out of the car.“

An exhausted Stallone finally asked the director to decide: “One must go, the other must stay. Richard was fired and I still hate him.“

indeed Richard Gere He was fired, and Stallone says he still holds a grudge against him. Perry King took over the role, allowing filming to resume as usual.

Gir’s Revenge

After this failure, Richard Gere He returned to the theater and made a new TV movie in 1975. His career really took off when he landed the lead role in Mr. Goodbar, the film that opened the door to Hollywood.

For the record, the rivals have one thing in common: Both were extras in the Kojak series when they were still unknown – Stallone in 1975 (S03E02), Gere in 1976 (S04E01).

Another skit narrated by Elton John

In his autobiography I (2019), Elton John actually said that at a party at his house, Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone He almost got into a fight over Princess Diana. Gere and Diana were very close, which would make Stallone jealous. The two actors, who found themselves face to face in the corridor, were on the verge of a collision before parting. Stallone left the party in a huff, saying he wouldn’t have come if he’d known “Prince Charming” (Gire) would be there!

To (re)discover Les Mains dans les pockets (without Richard Gere), rent it on Apple TV. Otherwise, you’ll have to move on to the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the film.