Honoring the fast-paced action movies of the 1980s and ’90s, The Expendables 4, officially titled “Expend4bles,” promises to be another adrenaline-pumping addition to the franchise. This installment will mark the final appearance of the iconic Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross. With a star-studded cast, direction by Scott Waugh, and screenplay by Spenser Cohen and Max Adams, this film is on the horizon, and we’ve gathered all the latest information for you.
Scott Waugh, known for his work on the 2012 war film “Act of Valor,” is directing The Expendables 4, stepping in for Patrick Hughes, the director of the third Expendables installment. The screenplay is a collaborative effort by Spenser Cohen and Max Adams, bringing their unique storytelling perspectives to the project.
Behind the scenes, Lionsgate is handling both production and distribution, alongside Millennium Films and Vértice Cine, which joined the production in August 2020. Principal photography kicked off in September 2021, with Sylvester Stallone announcing the completion of his scenes by October 2021. Here’s what else we’ve gathered about the movie.
Expend4bles: The Plot
In Expend4bles, Ross and his team embark on a heart-pounding mission to confront an arms dealer leading a private army. Their goal? To thwart a terrorist group in possession of nuclear weapons and prevent what’s been dubbed “World War III.” Sylvester Stallone will take a step back in this installment, paving the way for Jason Statham‘s Lee Christmas to take the lead role. Fans are left speculating whether this shift and Stallone’s confirmed exit from the franchise mean Barney Ross will meet a dramatic end or retire from the team.
Lionsgate released a trailer in June 2023, followed by a red-band trailer and a sneak peek clip in August 2023. If these teasers are any indication, Expend4bles is set to deliver a full-throttle experience with violence, firearms, intense hand-to-hand combat, and high-speed car chases. The film appears to stay true to the action-packed essence of the Expendables series. The official synopsis hints at the new additions to the team injecting “new blood” into the mix:
“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.”
Expend4bles: The Cast
The Expendables 4 features a mix of familiar faces from the franchise and exciting newcomers. Returning actors include Sylvester Stallone as Barney Ross, Jason Statham as Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren as Gunner Jensen, and Randy Couture as Toll Road. Notably absent are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, and Terry Crews.
Adding fresh energy to the franchise are Megan Fox (known for “Jennifer’s Body” and the “Transformers” series) as Gina, who appears to share a tumultuous romantic connection with Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas. Former boxer and strongman Eddie Hall, Andy García (“The Untouchables,” “Ocean’s Eleven”), and rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) also join the cast. Thai martial arts experts Tony Jaa, Sheila Shah, Jacob Scipio, and Levy Tran bring their talents to the film. Notably, fight choreographer, stuntman, and martial artist Iko Uwais assumes the role of the lead villain.
Expend4bles: A Tumultuous Production
The journey to bring Expendables 4 to the big screen was far from smooth, marked by missed deadlines and cast shake-ups. The earliest whisper of a fourth Expendables film emerged in 2014, with an initial release target of 2018. Creative disagreements and behind-the-scenes challenges hampered progress.
One significant setback was Sylvester Stallone‘s departure from the project in 2017. Differences in vision for the franchise’s future and the direction of the fourth film were cited as major reasons for his exit. Notably, Stallone had entertained ideas of involving Jack Nicholson as the main villain and potentially including Clint Eastwood, but these aspirations remained unrealized. Whether these aspirations contributed to the discord between Stallone and the rest of the team remains uncertain.
After this tumultuous period, Stallone made a surprising return, driven by vocal support from fans, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nevertheless, this installment marks Stallone’s final appearance in the franchise, barring unforeseen developments. It appears that Stallone is ready to bid farewell to many of his iconic roles, including those from the Rocky and Creed franchises.
Expend4bles: Release Date
Initially slated for a 2022 release, Expend4bles will now hit theaters on September 22, 2023. This departure from the franchise’s tradition of summer releases (all previous entries launched in August) marks a notable change. Expend4bles is poised to be the sole major wide release that weekend and has a strong chance of dominating the box office charts.”
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