Sylvester Stallone wanted to "strangle" Arnold Schwarzenegger during their 1980s heyday as they battled it out for the unofficial title of Hollywood's toughest man.

The musclebound Rocky actor and ripped Terminator star, who have since buried the hatchet and appear together new action sequel The Expendables 3, were deadly enemies at the height of their careers, and Stallone has now opened up about their intense rivalry.

He says, "There were times when we could not even be in the same room. I was always like 'Oh it's him'.

"Arnold was like someone you wanted to strangle every day, like in the morning and at night. We were so competitive. He was Mr. Olympia. We came along at the same time, of course I was first but he was bigger."

Stallone and Schwarzenegger star in the third instalment of The Expendables alongside Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford and Antonio Banderas.