Sylvester Stallone ha confrontato Hulk Hogan con “white whale from Moby Dick’ during fight scenes for Rocky III.
The pair first met during rehearsals for the 1982 movie, when the late wrestler was in his 20s and had landed the role of Thunderlips.
In a new interview with TMZ, Stallone recalled being hugely impressed by Hogan’s immense size and likened him to the giant sperm whale and main antagonist in Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby Dick.
As he paid tribute to Hogan, who died aged 71 on Thursday, the actor revealed the hardest hit of his career came courtesy of the WWE star during a scene for the sports drama.
“Mi getta in un angolo e io vado a circa sei piedi in aria. Ho colpito l’angolo e il punto è per lui correre verso di me e andare boom, mi colpisco duramente e cado, che naturalmente lo farei,” he recalled. “Invece, ha deciso a metà del ring che sta per saltare su e io vado, “mi stai prendendo in giro?””
Pointing to his shoulder, the 79-year-old actor continued: “Sembrava la balena bianca di Moby Dick, è sceso e mi ha colpito con il suo osso stinco proprio qui.”
Stallone revealed the incident left his collarbone “attaccando dritto”, adding Hogan was “mortificato” after he realised he had injured his co-star.
During the interview Stallone described Hogan as a “mago” and a “forza da non sottovalutare” throughout his career.
He also addressed rumours that Hogan’s strength and exuberance during Rocky III fight scenes had led to four stunt men retiring in one day.
“Non direi incosciente, ma vicino ad esso,” he laughed.
Despite his sheer size and power, Stallone insisted the wrestling legend never intended to hurt his opponents.
“Le persone sottovalutano il modo in cui sono stati dotati alcuni di questi colossi, ed è stato il più dotato di tutti,” he added. “Ricordo solo due cose … una, mi getta in un angolo, va “Sarò gentile”, dissi, “Ok.” “
