Sylvester Stallone's THE EXPENDABLES News & Discussion

[Thing]

I'm not sure Stallone stirs up much interest with todays geek crowd, but I personally love the guy. He was probably my first childhood movie hero, and inspired my lifetime love of exercise and fitness.

It was dis-heartening to see his career nosedive like it did, but by revisiting past glories with Rocky Balboa and Rambo I think he's in the best position he's been in for years. I personally think he did what people of Spielberg and Lucas' stature failed to do with their new Indiana Jones movie. Stallone will probably never be the box office draw he used to be, but as long as he occupies his own little area of moviedom where he can do good work, I'll be happy.

Anyway, The Expendables. What do we know?

It's a men on a mission type ensemble movie where a group of mercenaries head to South America to overthrow a dictator. A throwback to the likes of The Dirty Dozen.

It's got a cracking cast. Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Forest Whittaker, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts and Stallone. Stone cold Steve Austin and Charisma Carpenter have just signed on. Danny Trejo and Arnold Shwarzenneger are both rumoured.

Jean Claude Van Damme reportedly turned down a role. Silly move really. After JCVD raising his profile, this could have been a great next step.

As this picture shows, at 62 Stallone is in much better shape than any 62 year old has any business being in. Apparently if you zoom in close there are actually veins on his veins.

[nin_o_negative]

I thought Arnie had confirmed that he's going to do a very small cameo?

I'm really looking forward to this. Stallone is really a good film maker when he's allowed to do it his way, he knows what people like to see and what they enjoy. He just had a few bad years where I think he listened to the wrong people. Copland was an excellent movie and I really enjoyed Balboa and Rambo. Rocky had a lovely nostalgic feel, it had some sweet moments and the boxing scenes were incredible.

I hope the expendables has a bit of humour in it, to me it sounds like they are intending on mixing blistering action with some tongue in cheek 80s macho stuff with maybe some dry, dark comedy. I hope some news comes soon as to what we can expect.

Glad to see that Charisma Carpenter has signed on. I loved her in Buffy, I hope she gets to kick some butt.

[Donald McKinney]

This is just the sort of film we need in times like these, a nice violent action film which is an 80's throwback!! What a brilliant cast as well!! I liked the new Rambo, and I'm looking forwards to seeing what Sly has to offer with this film!!

[Lowthor]

This does sound like a proper 80s action film now. Most recent action stuff takes itself too seriously and we need something generally fun and stupid.

[Thing]

Originally Posted by nin_o_negative

I thought Arnie had confirmed that he's going to do a very small cameo?

Hopefully! I only heard it at the rumour stage, so hopefully it has been confirmed since. First it was he was playing himself, which then changed to he was playing something that was cryptically described as something a bit more grisled. I'm hoping maybe another old mercenary who has history with Stallones character. Then he could come back for a bigger role in Expendables 2 if he's no longer governor. That's all just wishful thinking on my part.

Originally Posted by nin_o_negative

I hope the expendables has a bit of humour in it, to me it sounds like they are intending on mixing blistering action with some tongue in cheek 80s macho stuff with maybe some dry, dark comedy. I hope some news comes soon as to what we can expect.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for too. Something with the uber violence of Rambo, but a bit more lighthearted.

[Fricky]

Well there's a character called "Hale Cesar" in the main cast, so probably.
Been excited for this since reading Vern's script review(mild spoilers)

[glunark]

With a title like the expendibles it makes you wonder how many of the cast would even be around for a sequal.

Still at least it leaves open places for hard men not featured in the first one.

[Thing]

Reports over the last couple of days that Forest Whittaker has had to pull out because a delay in filming caused a scheduling conflict. He's replaced by Curtis Jackson aka Fifty Cent.

I'm not slating the guy before I see him act, but it's the first piece of casting I've not been excited by.

[glunark]

I'm guessing he knows his way around a gun though, and lets face it, Jessy Ventura didnt win any oscars.

[Thing]

Well, fiddy cent is out now, and a chap I've not seen before called Terry Crews is in. He looks pretty hard.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0187719/