“Expendables 4” Theatrical Poster
Expendables 3’s box office belly flop back in 2014 – possibly due to the film’s early online leakage or its undesired PG-13 rating – left the franchise in a strange limbo. It’s been an off again/on again journey for the series’ stars and producers, but now the future of an Expendables 4 is well on its way from Lionsgate and Millennium Media on September 22nd.
The 4th film is helmed by Scott Waugh, a director perhaps best known for 2012’s Act of Valor, 2014’s Need for Speed and the Jackie Chan/John Cena actioner Snafu (aka Project X-Traction). Spenser Cohen (Extinction), Max Adams (Extraction) and John Joseph Connolly are writing the screenplay (via Deadline).
Jason Statham (The Meg), Dolph Lundgren (Black Water), Randy Couture (Redbelt) and Sylvester Stallone (The Expendables) will all reprise their roles. In addition, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Escape Plan 2: Hades), Megan Fox (The Battle of Jangsari), Tony Jaa, Andy Garcia, Sheila Shah (Rambo: Last Blood), Jacob Scipio (Bad Boys for Life), Levy Tran (The Silk Road), Iko Uwais (Triple Threat, The Raid, Headshot) and Eddie Hall, who is best known for winning the “World’s Strongest Man” competition in 2017, as well as the UK’s “Strongest Man” competitions multiple times (via SOTL).
Also, because he was seen on the set of Expendables 4, martial arts star Dan Chupong (Born to Fight, Ong Bak 3) may be a part of the cast, as he was seen on the film’s set with Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais, with Jaa stating: “Long time no see but finally we’re all here in Expendables 4 with my brother”. As MAAC observes: “No word yet on if Chupong is part of the cast or is simply on board as Jaa’s stunt double” (Chupong served as Jaa’s stunt double for 2020’s Monster Hunter).
After the fan backlash of Expendables 3’s PG-13 rating, Stallone stated that he would make the next installation R-Rated: “If I do another one it’s going to be a lot bloodier… hardcore R.” He added: “I believe it was a horrible miscalculation on everyone’s part in trying to reach a wider audience, but in doing such, diminish the violence that the audience expects. I’m quite certain it won’t happen again.”
JJ Nugent, Millennium Media VP of international sales and distribution, said, “The Expendables continues to be one of Millennium’s most successful franchises to date and we, alongside our partners around the world, couldn’t be more excited to kick off this fourth installment. Big action films continue to be what the theatrical experience is all about. Add an esteemed franchise with adored stars to mix, and its recipe for a remarkably entertaining moviegoing experience. We are incredibly honored to be able to bring films like this and many more to fans across the globe.” (via ScreenDaily)
Watch a clip featuring Jason Statham vs Iko Uwais, followed by the recent Red Band Trailer below:
Really happy with that Hard R rating! 🙂
All these movies could have been better. I think the best one is the 2nd one so far. It seems like someone went around and watched a bunch of action movies stealing scenes from those movies and mixing up in these Expendables films. I think they need to make their own for once, and go back to the 80s style of directing action. No holds barred gore and hardcore action.
Jaa, I get. But 50 and Fox? Why not just cast from within the genre if you want to bring in new blood?
Waiting for some tastier cast announcement… 50 Cent and Megan Fox isn’t gonna cut it.
Good news on Tony Jaa though! But Snipes, Banderas & Crews better be back.
Crews won’t be because of his issue with one of the producers. (Unless that producer is gone.)
I can’t believe they’re making another one! These guys were already ancient in the first one and that was 10 years ago! Also Tony Jaa needs to pick better movies, he hasn’t had a lead starring role since forever. He needs to get back to making some real martial arts films before he gets too old like Donnie!
The Expendables series seem to thrive on these types of hodgepodge casting, veering wildly from Bona Fide Action Stars to non-entities I couldn’t care less about.
If the USP of the series is “All your iconic Action stars in one movie” then Stallone / Statham / Li/ Lundgren / Schwarzenegger / Willis / JCVD / Norris / Adkins/ Ford / Snipes / Gibson / Austin / Daniels are all shoo-ins and even Banderas gets a special pass thanks to Desperado and The Mask Of Zorro. But then you have..Randy Couture. Randy Couture?????What’s his action filmography? The heavy in one of those El Cheapo Scorpion King movies? Terry Crewes, Bless Him, love the guy, but outside of small roles in Street Kings and Gamer, I struggle to recollect any cool action movie he’s been in. And when Li had to bow out they replace him with….Yu Nan????? Dozens of iconic HK action stars to choose from and you get the one who’s biggest hit is playing Wu Jing’s long suffering GF in the Wolf Warrior flicks?
And it’s of course taken to ridiculous extremes in Expendables 3. The Action Vets are side-lined while we get some “stellar” replacements that includes the guy who’s like the 6th most recognizable vampire in the Twilight movies, some dude called Victor Ortiz who I think had a blink-and-miss cameo in Southpaw, Ronda Rousey who’s most high profile role was a cameo in Furious 7 and Glen Powell who’s…you know what? I have no freaking idea who Glen Powell is let alone his films. This is barely one step removed from casting some randos off the street.
Am always down for some Expendables action, but Jesus, work on that casting!
I always felt the same way about Randy Couture. You can’t have a bunch of action movie legends and all of the sudden throw in Randy Couture (who is a “legend” in his own right, outside of the movie world).
And I think that’s why Expendables 3 was sorta WTF. No disrespect for the newer generation of action stars/athletes, but we want our action movie legends we saw throughout our teens, etc. Expendables 4 may be headed for the same path with the additions of Fox and 50 Cent, but they don’t stick out as much as what Expendables 3 did with half of their main cast (all took up a good chunk of the action).
Expendables 2 is the only movie that knows it has icons on its hands and uses them appropriately. From the airport shootout where all three big icons are firing off big guns on screen together to the funny Chuck Norris cameos to the end fight of Van Damme cheesing it up against Stallone, I had a good time. The other 2 are kinda dull.
I agree with you on Yu Nan. They really should have gone for Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, even Kara Hui or Jade Leung. I saw Cynthia Khan in a terrible 2018 Yes Madam sequel but she’s still got the moves! I’m sure at least one of them were available. Also Liam Hemsworth, shoulda been Chris… or even Scott Eastwood, would’ve gave a better meta layer to the revenge plot.
The extended cut of Part One was almost a completely different movie threat utilized everybody to their strengths. The fight between Jet Li and Adolph Lundgren was more competitive and the extra action bits throughout had more detail to them.
Part 2 had some good moments, but was way too masturbatory with the inside jokes and references. It was painful to read that the reason why Jason Statham vs Scott Adkins was so short was because they rushed the shoot and prioritized filming a tennis player’s cameo scene which didn’t even make the final cut.
The Director’s Cut to ‘The Expendables’ is so close to being an improvement on the theatrical version, except that they set the big action finale to some awful wannabe nu-metal song instead of the regular music score…what a bad move!
The second one was a blast! The airport finale? MWAH! *Chef’s kiss* It knew what you were there to see and it gave it to you. My old man enjoyed ‘Em enough, and these guys were definitely of his era.
before he gets too old like Donnie!
Donnie ain’t too old. If he is, Sly, Li and Co would be too.
By Expendables standards, this is a particularly unimpressive cast… Tony Jaa is a welcome addition, one that makes sense, and I love Andy Garcia. But 50 Cent, Megan Fox? If we’re going to get actors from the Millenium/Emmet-Furla sphere, can’t we get the good ones?
And where are Snipes, Banderas, Crews?
I’m still hoping for Gary Oldman as a villain though. Millenium generally get him for at least a cameo when they shoot in London.
Where the heck is Steven Seagal and Jackie Chan?
Totally. The Expendables franchise will never be complete without these guys. I’d like to see JCVD come back as a good guy, too.
Iko hasn’t made good career choices and this looks to continue that. Then again neither has Tony Jaa. At least they have my attention again. I’ve had my fill. My only regret is that Chow Yun Fat hasn’t been a part of this.
If Sly were smart he’ll give us a Tony vs Iko rematch that Triple Threat didn’t do so well.
What’s the alternative? Turn down this movie and not get a decent paycheck? I’d rather Iko do movies like this than flounder in direct to video cheapies.
I just hope he and Tony aren’t disrespected like Jet Li was in part 2 and 3.
You’re right. It’s a hard career path in Hollywood for guys like them. If I were him I’d also take the paycheck and name recognition. Why work your ass off breaking your limbs and back for a low paying movie only very few people will see, when you can do way less and get paid way more in a movie way more people will see?
…but as an action junkie I die a little inside when I think of the amazing video cheapies he could be making in the leading role with a decent choreographer and lots of fight scenes.
Like you, I hope he gets respect too, although I thought Jet Li’s role was limited in 2 & 3 because he was sick at the time.
It’s not so much doing Hollywood films as opposed to Gareth Evans films. It’s doing Hollywood films instead of something like Jiu-Jitsu. If he turned down Expendables 4, he’d miss a big payday and have to do something without a good choreographer or director.
Jet Li being sick would explain things, but around that time he was more concerned with his charity work than doing movies, and viewed them as a “hobby.” I still found his appearances in 2 and 3 to be very disrespectful of him like we wasn’t on the level of the other guys.
Iko Uwais is far from main villain material.. His great moves and total lack of charisma make him more of a henchman type.
I think he showed great charisma in The Raid 2 and Merantau, that’s for sure. But I can see your point in almost everything else he’s done. With that said, it’ll be nice to see him in Expendables 4.
Yes, a worthy addition no doubt, especially if gets to fight Tony Jaa. But the charisma/iconic drop after Van Damme & Gibson is steep.
Agreed. Iko can only really play silent hero types I think. He’s got that blandly handsome hero face and good guy aura to him. Even as a henchmen I don’t think he’d be much good. Joe Taslim, on the other hand, really knows how to camp it up as heel. Yayan Ruhian’s got the biggest henchman vibes though… his hobo looks and stony face really sell him as a villain.
Man someone put these guys to good use again before they grow too old.
He showed a lot of charisma in The Night Comes For Us, and while the series was flawed, Wu Assassins allowed him to branch out as an actor. I think it’ll be nice to see Iko ham it up if he’s allowed to.
FINALLY! freakin Southeast asian getting a big role in Action Hollywood film, its about time.
now please add Yayan Ruhian or Cecep Rahman! and if Steven Seagal or Jackie Chan as Villians then im satisfied with the Cast.
Cool looking trailer! Handing the reigns to Jason Statham was a smart choice, and hopefully there’s more emphasis on the action instead of stupid inside references.
Mr Leeder says the rough footage he saw looked promising, so that’s something to keep in mind. It’ll just be funny that in this whole series the only good films were the extended cut of the first and part 4.
What an incredibly disappointing trailer! Iko and Tony only get about 20 seconds or so with most of the trailer devoted to Megan Fox and 50 Cent. Pathetic! What happened to this franchise? After a great 1st installment each sequel is worse than the previous film. Why isn’t Wesley Snipes in this? Only reason Terry Crews was cast is because they couldn’t get Wesley at the time, then they waste Wesley’s potential in the 3rd film and don’t have him back for the 4th.
After seeing how Van Damme and Scott Adkins were so easily defeated I have very low expectations for how Iko and Tony will fare in their fight scenes. Another wasted opportunity was the fight between Dolph and Jet Li. Both have way better fight scenes in their solo movies but in Expendables their fight was severely lackluster. If you’re going to cast highly talented martial arts actors you need to give them their proper respect in the fight choreography for the Expendables. Such a shame to not properly utilize these great guys to their full strength.
20 seconds is what a lot of characters in trailers get. Since Tony and Iko are villains, (I think Tony) they’re not gonna be featured as much as the main team.
It can go either direction, but Alan Ng of the Jackie Chan stunt team choreographed the fights and I’m sure the film makers want to make up for how bad 3 was, so they could go for broke. The extended version of Jet vs Dolph was much better.
I’ve seen the extended version of Jet vs Dolph on youtube and all that’s different is that they got rid of the quick cut and shaky camera work so that you can better follow what’s actually happening in the fight. Other than that, it’s still a lame fight between the two especially when watching how Dolph fights in Showdown in Little Tokyo.
Perhaps it’s just me but I’ve noticed that Iko has never had as good a showcasing of his fighting abilities than in Merantau and the Raid films. He was good as the villain in The Night Comes For US but I was disappointed with how Iko was in Headshot. Same thing with Tony Jaa. He was amazing in Ong Bak and The Protector but all his other work hasn’t kept up to the high standards he set in those films. I must admit it was cool seeing him briefly fight Max Zhang in the Ip Man spinoff: Master Z. I thought their fight in the SPL series was silly but their clash in the Ip Man film was decent.
The way Dolph fights in Showdown? Where he moves slow and sloppy? It may be a guilty pleasure, but it’s not his best work.
If all The Expendables extended cut’s fight scene was removing the quick cuts and shaky cam, that it a huge difference. Especially with getting an older Dolph to keep up with Jet.
Iko and Tony have continued to have good work outside their best films with Triple Threat and for Tony, Skin Trade. I know it’s possible for Expendables 4 to waste them, but I’m taking a chance anyway.
Besides, Alan Ng of the Jackie Chan stunt team is in charge of the fights, and I imagine the director just sat back and let him have control.
I was pretty disappointed with Triple Threat. That film wasted their potential big time. Iko got easily beat by everyone in the film. Iko and Tony weren’t able to cut loose the way they did in The Raid and Ong Bak.
I enjoy Showdown in Little Tokyo and maybe it’s just the way Dolph fights in films for the most part. Can you recommend any fight scenes where he’s better? I’ve seen Red Scorpion and Joshua Tree but don’t really know most of his films outside of Rocky 4 and Universal Soldier.
I hope I’m wrong about the upcoming fight scenes in Expendables 4 and that it makes great use of Iko and Tony. Your comment about Jackie’s stunt team being in charge gives me some hope for the fight scenes.
That’s too bad. Expecting Triple Threat to be like The Raid films or Tony’s Thai films is asking a bit much. It’s like saying Crime Story wasted Jackie Chan because he doesn’t move there like in Police Story. I don’t remember Iko getting easily beat by everybody. He fought Tony and Tiger to a standstill and beat Michael Jai White.
It’s hard to recommend Dolph films because his best work isn’t all straight “fight films.” Bridge of Dragons attempted to have action by Akihiro Noguchi, but it wasn’t his best work either. Most movies by him that I enjoy are guilty pleasures like Command Performance and Cover Up. Some people like his Punisher, but it wasn’t for me.
I never met anyone that liked Cover-Up, cause that movie is literally just Dolph sneaking (he’s 6’5 after all) I’ll grant you the final good Friday thing was good, I just wish there had been more action. (Such is in my worst tier)
Skin Trade-I really enjoyed this and for me this and Universal Soldier Day Of Reckoning is peak comeback Dolph. Forget Expendables which are merely okay.
Punisher is fun, probably his best early days martial arts scenes. I like it. Low budget and where’s the skull, but compulsively entertaining.
Bridge Of Dragons is fun and full of good action with a post apocalypse cheese factor. Plus Isaac Florentine knows his action.
I Come In Peace is legitimately a good movie with some unexpected suspense and sense of humor.
Showdown In Little Tokyo, it’s grown on me over the years, still badly acted, but there’s a charm to it, now that movies are so glossy and sanitized.
Universal Soldier movies (1,2 and 4) are all pretty good action flicks, the last one in particular has some of the best American fight scenes since King Of The Kickboxers.
Joshua Tree-Pretty solid actioner all things considered. Great action and a hot redhead love interest.
Men Of War- Pretty decent, even though such is too long. Lot of nudity from a chick that I remember looking very similar to Phoebe Cates. Also a great villain and lavish action. Again pretty decent.
The Russian Specialist -A pretty fair throw back to 70s throwback revenge film. The shotgun decapitation scene is great.
Meh tier
Blackjack, it’s one of those meh movies especially for John Woo. It’s just so goofy.
Red Scorpion-One of those movies that only comes alive in spurts. Final showdown is good. Also love the guy getting his arm blown off.
Expendables 1-2- These movies are fine, but you’d think they would be so much better.
Jill The Ripper- Cool title, surprisingly interesting at times, but only in spurts.
His worst?
Johnny Mnemonic- Just terrible.
Expendables 3-Cause 80s Action fans don’t want Jackie Chan, Michael Dudikoff or Cynthia Rothrock, we’d much rather have Tito Ortiz, Rhonda Rousey and Kelsey Grammer.
Aquaman-One of the all time dumbest movies ever made.
Missionary Man- Just fucking horrible.
The Minion-So bad it’s often hilarious. Really bad acting.
Rocky IV-Never a fan, it’s too much like a music video, Lundgren is good as a villain, but it’s too predictable. Gimme Cobra or Rambo III over this.
Masters Of The Universe-Terrible of course, but as expected from a film based on a toy line. Skeletor was fun I guess.
The Last Warrior -Awful post apocalyptic crap that somehow makes something like 1990 Bronx Warriors seem like Fury Road by comparison.
Detention- Literally the lowest point in Lundgren’s career.
I’ve watched more, but can’t remember cause It has been years.
I do not like Rambo III, I meant Rambo First Blood Part II. Rambo III sucks chunks. Such is worse than Rocky V, Judge Dredd and Assassins. In fact as le as Rambo V was, still better than Rambo III. I can’t let any of the old timers from this website even consider that I liked that disaster.
.
i like Bronx Warriors XD
You do know your Dolph stuff! I don’t know if “liked” is the right word to describe with with Cover-Up. I just appreciated that Dolph was staring in a plot driven thriller that a non-action star would normally do, but with a dash of action thrown in. (Along with a gratuitous sex scene! Haha!)
His career has been a roller coaster with ups and downs, but he does make the most of it. Bridge of Dragons should have been a hidden gem, but when you look at Issac Florentine and Akihiro Noguchi’s best work, the fight scenes are slow and it looks too much like everyone is waiting for their turn to hit instead of letting it all flow.
That’s too bad about Johnny Mnemonic. I thought it was fantastic and Dolph’s insane preacher was fun to see!
You’re not going to get shit for saying something nice about Rambo III. It’s a guilty pleasure for a lot of people.
My problem with Johnny Mnemonic was you had great villains, Takeshi Kitano,Dolph Lundgren,Udo Kier and laser whip guy, however the film just is so poorly directed that none of it forms. It also doesn’t help that Keanu Reeves is so bad in it, I like Keanu but his numb performance is a major detractor. Henry Rollins was unintentionally hilarious though.
I also forgot that I liked The Peacekeeper and Command Performance. Peacekeeper has a great car chase on roofs, has some genuine suspense and good role for Roy Scheider. Command Perf has the scene of Lundgren killing a guy with a guitar. My only issue was Montel Williams, where was Louis Gossett Jr when we needed him. Command was just solid all around.
I love action, in fact I wholeheartedly enjoyed Kickboxers 2 and 4. The first is my favorite Van Damme flick. Speaking of JCVD, I’ve come to love Knock Off and Desert Heat, still can’t get behind Double Team.
If you haven’t seen it, check out Skin Trade you might enjoy it.
I won’t pay a cent for this pitiful franchise (best thing in the first two and probably even the third: Chuck Norris, which is saying a lot…oh yeah, and Jet Li beating some bad guys with frying pans…and finally, a few good rock songs…amazing, really amazing…).
Does Megan Fox show her tits or, maybe better, her ass. No? Well, everybody has seen ’em anyway.
P.S.: “Henry Rollins was unintentionally hilarious though.” No, that guy is too smart to think he’s good at acting, it was just distraction and money…and as long as morons pay, let’s use their stupidity.
Will 50 cent “sing”, sorry, rap? No?
New clip. https://youtu.be/xhpGZpfMMYY?si=v9KtXqMNAIHmCbKE
And another one. https://youtu.be/V7b-M1MZDZw?si=u6m1GUGJbTNCkzqY
I watched The Expendables 4, (I refuse to use that other stupid title) and I’m actually pleased with it!
The movie is undeniably stupid, but it’s still fun and fast paced for the most part. People were worried when a film snob from the Hollywood Reporter reviewed it and said the franchise was brought to new lows. (After part 3, that’s not possible.) This same film critic was condescending to The Equalizer 3, so I’m not depending on him.
Jason Statham is still going strong, and was in fine form here. Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture were even relevant after parts 2 and 3 did nothing with them except take up space in a room. They don’t get good one-on-ones like the first film, but at least they had more character.
The new people didn’t leave much of an impression. 50 Cent just played himself and didn’t contribute much. Jacob Scipio after his good role in Bad Boys For Life, is mostly bad comic relief doing Antonio Banderas impressions. Megan Fox had some decent action moments, but her introduction as a shrieking hysterical hot mess didn’t help her credibility.
Levy Tran just appears. No intro, no character development. She just shows up out of thin air. She does get some good fight scenes though. Everybody was worried about Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais, but they are portrayed well. They get to perform their action scenes with aplomb, and Alan Ng knew how to show that off.
Iko is normally great as an action hero, but he’s just as good as a villain. He seemed to have a lot of fun playing a psychopath.
The Hollywood critic claimed that the movie has bad camerawork and editing, but I didn’t find that to be the case. It wasn’t what I would have chosen, but at no point did the action scenes look incomprehensible, and I could see what everyone was doing.
I was looking forward to Jason Statham vs Iko Uwais, and it delivered. Their counters and reversals were very well done, and they had great chemistry. There was even a moment where they fought unarmed, and I would have loved to see more of that.
There are other dumb parts such as how the film felt the need to put in one of my least favorite cliches, with “You thought this guy was the villain, but it was really the other guy all along!” It’s also getting really annoying to have a hero sacrifice themself, but you know they’ll survive because it was already reported who would headline the series going forward.
Acrobatic super kicking Mike Moeller is in the film, but we get cheated out of a fight scene with him, and that was a bad decision.
But I’m happy I saw The Expendables 4 and I will say that the good outweighed the bad.