Lionsgate announces that Stallone, Statham, Couture, and Lundgren are returning!
Lock and load! ‘The Expendables’ are back! After Sylvester Stallone’s comments last week regarding a spin-off film, provisionally titled ‘Christmas Story’, Lionsgate has announced that a fourth film in the franchise is a go. The film is scheduled to start filming this fall ahead of an expected 2022 release. Scott Waugh (Need For Speed) will be directing the new film. Spenser Cohen (Moonfall) is on script duties with revisions being handled by John Joseph Connolly and Max Adams.
THE CAST
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture are confirmed to be returning once more. The other stars, such as Jet Li, Antonio Banderas, and Wesley Snipes have not been announced as coming back as of yet. There is also no news on whether Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, or Harrison Ford may also reappear in cameo roles. However, Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, Megan Fox, and Tony Jaa have been announced as joining the cast this time around. As yet, their roles haven’t been announced or revealed.
We do know however that Terry Crews WON’T be returning. Crews made comments back in 2018 saying he wouldn’t return. This was after he was said to have suffered retaliation from producer Avi Lerner. This was concerning sexual misconduct allegations against agent Adam Venit.
LIONSGATE COMMENTS
Jason Constantine from Lionsgate had this to say regarding the new film:
“We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Millennium Media for the next installment of the Expendables franchise. It’s so much fun to bring these stars together for a no-holds-barred action film. The new film will raise the stakes and be the biggest, most badass adventure yet.”
Those words were echoed by Millenium Media President, Jeffrey Greenstein, who stated:
“The Expendables are back, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this star-studded, action-packed film to the big screen with Lionsgate, who have been with us since the inception of this franchise. To keep it fresh and fun, we’ve added exciting new stars to join the veterans; popcorn entertainment is guaranteed,”
STATHAM TO LEAD THIS TIME?
It is being said that Jason Statham’s character of Lee Christmas will be front and center of the new film, with a large role for Megan Fox. This will mean, of course, that Stallone’s character of Barney Ross will play a supporting role this time. The previous film ‘The Expendables 3’ sidelined Statham and the rest of the team for the main part. This could be Stallone’s way of making amends. Or it could just be a case of the actor wanting to take a back seat in the franchise.
The film is being called the final film in the franchise. However, they said that after the third film and look what happened there. It could also signal that a new team of ‘Expendables’ will carry the franchise forward in a new set of films or spin-offs. We will have to wait and see how it all pans out. But I honestly can’t see Lionsgate not continuing with the franchise if the new film is successful.
‘The Expendables 4’ will blow the roof off of the movie theater sometime in 2022. Keep up to date with all the breaking news here at The Future Of The Force!
Are you excited about the new film? Are you in support of Stallone taking a back seat to Statham this time? Or would you prefer the franchise to remain the same way it’s been for the last three films? Sound off below with your thoughts!
Source: Lionsgate
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
