Months ago, after the unexpected success and critical acclaim of Sylvester Stallone's fourth Rambo film, the news broke of Stallone planning a action-packed, shoot em' up film in the vein of 80's machismo to challenge the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film, Inglorious Bastards. As the film's plans unraveled, old-school action fans were salivating at the thought of all the 80's, as well as current action stars, who were possibly going to grace the screen together. Currently, Sylvester Stallone, who wrote and directed the picture, martial-artist Jet Li, and Jason Statham, who is known for his leading roles in The Transporter and Crank franchises, are headlining the action extravaganza.
Action Heroes Galore - The Expendables is currently filming in New Orleans, Lousiana, and also boasts such notables actors as recently reborn Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts and Terry Crews, along with Mixed-Martial Arts Champion Randy Couture and Professional Wrestling Star Stone-Cold Steve Austin. In addition, Stallone's former foe in Rocky IV, Dolph Lundgren will play a major role in the picture. To add even more hoopla, California Governor and celebrated action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger will make a cameo appearance. Despite all this testosterone, some of Stallone's buddies turned down the film. 80's Star Jean-Claude Van-Damme turned down a key role in the picture apparantly because he wants to do more critically acclaimed roles, like the one he received for his touching JCVD performance. Former Stallone comprade in the late 80's buddy-cop film Tango and Cash, Kurt Russell, is said not to be interested in working in an "ensemble cast" at this point in his career, and Academy-Award Winner Forrest Whitaker had other obligations, preventing him from starring as the core villain. Popular rapper turned actor 50 Cent was also locked in for a role before fan reaction caused a retraction. Also, during filming, the head female act, Brittany Murphy's role was completely cut from the cast.
PG-13 Possibility - In addition to the New Orleans location, part of the film will take place in Brazil. The overall plot of the film is not that impressive. A group of mercenaries looking to overthrow a dictator has been done before, but never with such an extensive group of muscle-bound hell-raisers. It sounds like Predator meets Rambo, which makes the film all that more anticipated. This is what the old-school fans need, a bloody, mindless, muscular, beatdown. It all sounds too good to be true and it could be. According to screenrant.com, the film could end up with a soft pg-13 rating.
Hopefully, this is not the case, as it would go against everything this film could be. Different, controversial, and a breath of fresh air. There is only one reason this film will end up with a PG-13 rating. Box-office numbers. But it is unclear, or rather unlikely teeny-boppers care, or even know who Stallone or Lundgren are.
Stallone Comeback Continues - Stallone has also been rumored to have signed a two-picture deal with Nu-Image/Millenium films to direct and star in another "Rambo" film, and possibly a seventh Rocky picture. We can only hope for the best, and PG-13 or not, it should be a film to see in theaters.
