EXPOSED: 'Rocky' Legend Sylvester Stallone's Ignited Feud With Ex-Pal Dolph Lundgren Over Spinoff Drama That Left Famed Co-Star 'Stunned'

Rocky icon Sylvester Stallone was ready to take the gloves off after learning about the movie spinoff centered on his former co-star Dolph Lundgren's character, Drago, claiming that it was made without his knowledge or approval.

RadarOnline.com can report that sources claimed Lundgren was left bewildered and "stunned" after Stallone took to Instagram with a scathing message in a now-deleted post last July, blasting the producer before a verbal smackdown aimed at Lundgren.

RadarOnline.com reached out to a rep for Lundgren for comment.

"ONCE AGAIN, IRWIN WINKLER, this PATHETIC 94-year-old PRODUCER and HIS MORONIC VULTURE CHILDREN, Charles And David, are once again picking clean THE BONES of another wonderful character I created without even telling me," vented Stallone at the time.

"I APOLOGIZE to the FANS, I never wanted ROCKY characters to be exploited by these parasites," he added. "By the way, I once had nothing but respect for Dolph but he NEVER told me about what was going on behind my back with the character I created for him!!!" the star continued. "REAL FRIENDS Are more precious than gold."

Lundgren, who has since clarified that he was "personally under the impression" that Stallone was involved in some capacity as a "producer or even as an actor," was caught in the center of controversy following the social media shade.

Sources said that Lundgren considered Stallone's misinformed remarks a "below-the-belt punch." He quickly denied he had officially signed up for the project.

After the drama simmered down, it was said to be an eye-opening experience for the famed actor. "Dolph has always been deeply grateful to Sly," an insider spilled.

"He was stunned and hurt that his old friend didn't reach out to him before sucker-punching him on social media."