Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro Talk About Their Roles In 'Grudge Match' And Their Initial Thoughts On The Film

Starting Christmas Day, Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro will enter the boxing ring in Warner Bros. new comedy, "Grudge Match." The film will bring the two veteran actors, who are famous for their boxer roles, on the same screen. While boxing and comedy may sound contradicting, that's exactly what this film promises: action, laughs and a good film experience. The film follows two retired boxers, with a long-lasting feud, who decide to challenge each other in the boxing ring once again. To many, it may seem like a film like this was inevitable, but Stallone and De Niro reveal in a New York City press junket that they did not consider a film like this in their future.

"Actually, I had no intentions of doing this," said Stallone. "It was something I thought was absurd. No one wants to see another boxing film, especially when you’re 160-years-old. (laughs) But then Robert called me, and we talked a lot about it with the studios heads, and they convinced me that I was completely wrong." De Niro added: "I liked the idea of us doing it. That was it. (laughs) But we had never talked about it. The idea came from Pete Segal, who I met at a party around a year earlier. Then it started, and then we started talking about it."

Director Peter Segal explained that what drew him to the film was the balance between comedy and drama--a specific niche that he enjoys working on. Segal further revealed that he always knew the movie would be funny, but knew there were only two actors for this part: Stallone and De Niro.

"When you first realize you’re working with these guys who you’ve always loved, and all of a sudden they’re flesh and blood in front of you," added Segal. "You’re going, ‘what have we done here?’ Then you look at Sly and Bob, and then Alan, Kim and Kevin join the group and, it turned it into a dream come true. We all worked really hard getting the script ready and, that we were able to get this cast was extraordinary, and then to watch them work and the workouts these guys put in. Bob lost 35 pounds and Sly was in incredible shape. The amount of belief in the movie is tremendous and they all had it and that’s why we were thrilled with how it came out."

In addition to the two veteran actors, the film features Kevin Hart in a comedic role as the organizer of the boxing match. "I think I’m up here as a student of the game with a bunch of stars, from Sly to Bobby to Alan to Kim," said Hart at the press junket. "I was in great company, and a kid in a candy store. I starred with people I’ve admired for a long time, and had successful careers. For me, it was about sitting back and watching how they work, and appreciating how they approach the craft. Spending o much time with these guys was a dream come true. It makes you feel good, when you’re in good company. That’s what ‘Grudge Match’ was to me."