For decades, the action movie landscape has been defined by towering figures displaying seemingly impossible muscularity, setting a towering physical benchmark for generations of moviegoers. From the gritty practical training regimens of ‘80s blockbusters to today's multi-million-dollar comic book adaptations, the pursuit of the ultimate cinematic physique has remained an enduring Hollywood obsession. Yet, as the genre continues to dominate the global box office and demand increasingly superhuman transformations from its leading stars, questions surrounding the behind-the-scenes reality of building these monumental bodies have persisted. 

Now, weighing in on the physical standards demanded by modern franchises and the shortcuts frequently taken behind closed doors, legendary action star Sylvester Stallone has opened up about the artificial nature of today's superhero physiques.

Marking the 50th anniversary of his iconic boxing drama, Sylvester Stallone is chronicling the turbulent journey of bringing Rocky to the screen in his newly released tell-all memoir, Steps. As part of his promotional rollout, the Oscar-winning icon recently sat down at New York's 92nd Street Y for an extensive, 50-minute discussion with journalist Tracy Smith, touching on his early industry hardships, the enduring cultural footprint of the franchise, and the grueling physical consequences of a decades-long action career. 

Following recent admissions to The New York Times regarding his struggles with bulimia during Rocky III and the severe physiological toll exacted by performance-enhancing drugs, Stallone elaborated to Smith on how he originally justified his steroid use as a necessary creative measure to physically evolve the character of Rocky Balboa. Stallone’s revelation met with some shocking reactions, to which he said: 

“Guys … you really think these guys are natural? If you’re trying to play a sort of superhero or a person that is above and beyond a normal guy, you can’t do it. It’s almost like putting on part of a costume. For six to eight weeks, you manifest that book. And then you shed it.”

By bluntly stating that achieving these extreme physiques naturally is nearly impossible, Stallone strips away the illusion that blockbuster stars achieve god-like bodies through plain diet and exercise alone. This challenges the unrealistic beauty and fitness standards often projected onto everyday audiences, who may feel inadequate for not matching cinematic physiques.

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Smith further inquired into Sylvester Stallone’s motivation to finally move away from steroids. 

When interviewer Tracy Smith inquired about the turning point that forced him to abandon steroids and grueling fitness regimens, Sylvester Stallone pointed to a critical wake-up call following heart valve replacement surgery. Prompted by his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, who urged him to seek medical attention after noticing he looked unwell, the actor underwent an examination that he credits with saving his life.

“And I thought I was okay. I was lucky that my wife said, ‘I don’t like the way you look.’ [I said], ‘Oh, come on. I’m just getting old over here. Relax,’” he recalled.

The live conversation between Sylvester Stallone and Tracy Smith also marked the debut of CBS Sunday Morning at 92NY, a collaborative interview series bringing notable figures from culture, politics, and the arts onto a live stage. The venture acts as a direct extension of the network's enduring weekly program, CBS Sunday Morning.

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Do you agree with Sylvester Stallone’s assessment of the modern superhero bodies? Do let us know.