Movies - Expend4bles : discover the trailer

By Mulder, 07 june 2023

Expend4bles is an upcoming American action film directed by Scott Waugh, with a script co-written by Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart and Max Adams, from an original story by Spenser Cohen, Wimmer and Daggerhart. The fourth installment in The Expendables franchise and the sequel to The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012) and The Expendables 3 (2014). Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture reprising their roles from previous films, alongside 50 Cent, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Andy García. Jason Statham, Avi Lerner, Les Weldon, Yariv Lerner, and Kevin King are serving as producers.

In August 2021, it was stated that principal photography would begin in October. Filming officially commenced on September 29, 2021. In October 2021, Sylvester Stallone announced on social media that he had finished filming his scenes for the movie. The film was shot in London and Bulgaria and the Jackie Chan Stunt Team handled stunt choreography. In November 2021, production was shot in Greece, including the city of Thessaloniki. Members of the Greek Armed Forces were used as extras and alleged they were not compensated for their month-long official deployment, despite working overtime. On December 3, 2021, Tony Jaa confirmed filming had wrapped. On April 26, 2023, Guillaume Roussel announced that he would be composing the film's score, replacing Brian Tyler from the previous installment.

The Expendables saga is a series of action films known for their ensemble cast of iconic action stars. The franchise was created by Sylvester Stallone, who also directed the first film. The movies pay homage to the action films of the 1980s and 1990s, combining intense action sequences with a healthy dose of humor and nostalgia. Here's an overview of the Expendables saga:

The Expendables (2010): This is the first film in the series and sets the tone for the rest of the franchise. The story revolves around a team of highly skilled mercenaries known as "The Expendables," led by Barney Ross (played by Stallone). They are hired to overthrow a Latin American dictator and find themselves caught in a web of corruption and betrayal. The film features a star-studded cast, including Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and many others. It also includes appearances by action icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

The Expendables 2 (2012): The sequel brings back the core team of mercenaries on a new mission. This time, they seek revenge after one of their own is murdered during a seemingly routine assignment. The Expendables find themselves up against a villainous arms dealer, played by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The film adds new members to the team, including Chuck Norris and Liam Hemsworth.

The Expendables 3 (2014): In the third installment, Barney Ross recruits a younger generation of Expendables to help take down an old adversary, Conrad Stonebanks (played by Mel Gibson), who co-founded the Expendables but later turned into a ruthless arms dealer. The movie introduces new characters portrayed by actors such as Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, and Antonio Banderas.

The Expendables movies share several common points throughout the franchise. Here are some key elements that are consistent across the films:
-          Ensemble Cast: The Expendables movies are known for their star-studded ensemble cast. Each film brings together a lineup of iconic action stars from different eras, often including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture. The cast also features appearances or cameos by other well-known action stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Mel Gibson.
-          Action-Packed Plot: The movies feature intense and explosive action sequences. The Expendables are often hired for dangerous missions that involve overthrowing dictators, rescuing hostages, taking down arms dealers, or seeking revenge. The plots typically involve a mix of high-stakes missions, double-crosses, and personal vendettas.
-          Nostalgic References: The Expendables franchise pays homage to the action films of the past, particularly those from the 1980s and 1990s. The movies include references and nods to iconic action films, characters, and one-liners from that era, adding a nostalgic element for fans of the genre.
-          Humor and Camaraderie: The Expendables movies blend action with humor and camaraderie among the characters. There's often banter, playful teasing, and comedic moments within the team, providing some lighter moments amidst the intense action.
-          Old vs. New: The franchise explores the dynamic between the older generation of action stars and the newer generation. In The Expendables 3, a younger group of Expendables is introduced, bringing fresh blood into the team. This theme of passing the torch and the clash between old and new is a recurring element in the series.

The Expendables movies offer a nostalgic and action-packed experience, combining the talents of legendary action stars, explosive set pieces, and a mix of humor and camaraderie. The Expendables saga gained popularity for its nostalgic appeal, bringing together legendary action stars from past decades and showcasing their skills in explosive action sequences. It celebrates the genre and pays tribute to the actors who have become iconic figures in the world of action films. Expend4bles is retaining an R rating like the first two films in the franchise. 

Synopsis : 
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.

The Expend4bles
Directed by Scott Waugh
Screenplay by Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams
Story by Spenser Cohen, Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart
Based on Characters by David Callaham
Produced by Jason Statham, Les Weldon, Yariv Lerner, Jeffrey Greenstein Kevin King-Templeton, Avi Lerner
Starring  Jason Statham, 50 Cent, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture Andy García, Sylvester Stallone
Cinematography : Tim Maurice-Jones
Music by Guillaume Roussel
Production companies : Millennium Media, Campbell Grobman Films
Distributed by Lionsgate (United States)
Release date : September 22, 2023 (United states), October 11, 2023 (France)

Photos : Copyright Lionsgate