Sometimes you just need to understand the audience. When The Expendables was released in 2010 (!!!), it promised hard-hitting, R-rated violence from the greatest action stars of all-time. The film was a hit with $274M worldwide, followed by the R-rated sequel two years later which made over $300M. Two years later, a third film arrived with a PG-13 rating and it was the lowest-grossing of the franchise. So now nearly a decade later with Expend4bles, Lionsgate has made sure to pump up the blood and violence to secure another ‘R’ rating.
Sylvester Stallone returns for the final time as Expendables leader, Barney Ross. Jason Statham is taking over the franchise as Lee Christmas, joined by new additions 50 Cent, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, Tony Jaa, Jacob Scipio,Levy Tran, and Iko Uwais. Randy Couture is also back as Toll Road, along with Dolph Lundgren as Gunner Jensen.
Looks as if Fox is playing Statham’s love interest in the film, which might explain why we don’t see Charisma Carpenter in the cast anymore.
Under any other circumstance, I’d be hyped to see Jaa and Uwais in a movie together again, but I’m not sure Expendables is the best use of their skills. We shall see!
Here’s the synopsis, which promises the “new blood” will be taking over:
A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning.
Expend4bles hits theaters on September 22nd, directed by Scott Waugh.
