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Talk Is Jericho

Dolph Lundgren on Drago, Stallone & 40 Years of Rocky IV

Talk Is Jericho

Chris Jericho

Tv & Film, Sports, Wrestling

4.79.5K Ratings

🗓️ 20 February 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Dolph Lundgren joins to talk about the making of Rocky IV and the creation of one of the most iconic villains in movie history – Ivan Drago! Dolph shares the story of getting dismissed at his first audition for being “too tall,” how he eventually landed the role, and how Sylvester Stallone completely reimagined Drago after meeting him. He breaks down his screen test, the acting choices that made Drago so cold and calculated, and how lines like “I will break you” became part of the pop culture lexicon. Dolph talks training for the film, taking real hits in the ring, and the subtle layers he brought to Drago that made the character more than just a machine. He also discusses his early days as a karate champion and chemical engineer, how he walked away from a Fulbright scholarship at MIT to pursue acting, and the wild journey from a small role in a James Bond film to overnight fame after Rocky IV. Plus, Dolph has stories about Universal Soldier, working with Jean-Claude Van Damme, his run in direct-to-video action films, directing his own movies, and his return to the big screen with The Expendables and Creed II. And… he introduces his new Hard Cut Vodka, and explains what he’s learning about being CEO of his own business! Purchase Hard Cut Vodka: https://www.hardcutvodka.com/ Follow Dolph Lundgren: 📸 Instagram: @dolphlundgren | @hardcutvodka Talk Is Jericho is available on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/ChrisJerichoFozzy 👍 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the 🔔 to stay updated on new episodes! More from Talk Is Jericho: 📸 Instagram: @chrisjerichofozzy | @talkisjericho 🐦 X/Twitter: @IAmJericho | @TalkIsJericho 🌐 Website: https://www.wbisjericho.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Talk is Jericho, baby.

0:05.4

Talk is Jericho.

0:08.2

Talk is Jericho, Mama, talk is me.

0:13.4

All right, welcome to Talk is Jericho.

0:14.7

It's the pot of thunder and rock and roll.

0:16.2

And home to the longest running Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-worthy joke of the week.

0:20.5

If I'm a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame worthy joke of the week. From Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Duff McGagan!

0:25.1

Chris Jericho, what's happening?

0:28.0

Duff McCagan,

0:29.8

listen, this is actually true.

0:32.5

Well, part of it's true.

0:34.9

Did you, you know, I've known,

0:41.2

I've been colorblind for a while, but when i found out i was colorblind the news came out of the purple thank you much bye oh man that was a stinker i actually

0:49.4

had to ask duff to explain that to me but thanks to duff for sending you anyways

0:53.0

duff and gnr start the massive stadium tour in Monterey, Mexico, March 28th, and Fossey's

0:59.1

26 massive UK tour, our biggest we've ever had, wraps up this weekend.

1:03.7

Only two shows left.

1:04.9

Crazy to think that it's gone by so fast.

1:07.9

Friday the 20th at the electric ballroom in London and then the final show on this run

1:12.7

tomorrow night at KK's Steel Mill

1:14.8

in Wolverhampton. The shows have been a blast. Pack sold out crowds.

1:19.5

Tail Gunner is open for us. They've done a great job. They will be on Talk to Jericho

...

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