Sylvester Stallone has revisited a tense Hollywood encounter that reportedly ended Richard Gere’s involvement in the 1974 film The Lords of Flatbush. In his memoir, The Steps, released on September 29, 2026, the 80-year-old actor describes how an audition that began as an opportunity to work with fellow rising stars quickly turned uncomfortable. Stallone recalled that his improvisation with Robert De Niro went smoothly, but the atmosphere changed when he performed scenes with Gere. According to Stallone, Gere repeatedly grabbed his T-shirt during a take, digging his fingernails into his skin despite being asked to stop. Stallone said the physical contact triggered a strong reaction, prompting him to ask director Stephen Verona whether he could respond as he would in real life. When the director asked what that reaction would be, Stallone recalled answering that he would knock Gere’s teeth out. The tension reportedly continued during lunch, when grease from Gere’s chicken spilled onto Stallone’s leg inside a parked car. Stallone said he elbowed Gere and moved to pull him from the vehicle before the director intervened.

The disagreement eventually reached a point where the production could no longer continue with both actors. Stallone recalled Gere saying he did not want the confrontation to become physical, but the situation had already escalated. According to Stallone’s account, the director stepped between them, and the decision was made that one actor would have to leave the project. Gere was ultimately dropped, while Stallone remained involved in the film and also received credit for additional dialogue. Robert De Niro subsequently moved on to another project, and Perry King and Henry Winkler joined the cast. Looking back decades later, Stallone’s recollections offer a glimpse into the difficult personalities and competing expectations that can emerge during a film production. His memoir also explores other personal and professional struggles, including the physical demands of his action roles and the lasting injuries associated with performing stunts. Although the story centers on a clash from the early years of his career, it also highlights how a single uncomfortable working relationship can shape the course of a major opportunity. Representatives for Gere were contacted for comment, according to the original report.