The EX franchise RT Ratings

As of today, Expend4bles still has the highest audience rating but the lowest critic ratings on RT. However, it's important to note that it's still early days for the 4th movie, with only 100+ reviews, compared to the other installments, which have over 250K+ reviews. There's a likelihood that the audience rating may decrease over time, as the scores on IMDb are currently the lowest among the four movies.

That said, it's worth noting that the audience's reaction to the movie seems to be more favorable than that of the critics, especially when compared to the 3rd movie, at least according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Profiling the New Expendables: Megan Fox (Gina) - Minor Spoilers!

Gina, the latest female addition to the Expendables team, brought mixed reactions from devoted franchise fans when Megan Fox was cast in Expend4bles. While some accepted this change, others had reservations about her role and character direction. Let's explore the controversy surrounding her presence and the factors contributing to divided fan opinions.

Megan Fox's Hollywood Journey

Megan Fox's career in Hollywood has seen both praise and critique. Born on May 16, 1986, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, she first gained widespread recognition as Mikaela Banes in the "Transformers" series. This role propelled her to fame but also led to questions about her acting abilities.

A Shift in the Expendables Universe

Megan Fox's introduction to "Expend4bles" marked a significant departure from the franchise's original ensemble cast, where previous female Expendables were martial artists or established actresses in Asia, seemingly better fitting the team.

Gina: A Controversial Figure

In "Expend4bles" Megan Fox portrays Gina, a fiery mercenary tasked with adding a fresh dimension to the series. However, her portrayal divided fans. Some believed Gina's character was excessively provocative and lacked the seriousness expected in the franchise. Additionally, her consistent use of makeup and perfectly styled hair during intense action scenes struck certain viewers as unnatural in the rugged world of mercenaries and combat.

One of the most debated aspects of Megan Fox's role was her character's unexpected promotion to leadership within the Expendables team. This change came after Jason Statham's character was fired from the team, leaving fans unsettled and questioning the decision. The abrupt shift in leadership dynamics disrupted the established camaraderie and left some feeling disconnected from the franchise's original vision.

In the end, Megan Fox's portrayal of Gina in "The Expendables 4" remains polarizing, prompting discussions about her potential role in any future installments. As the franchise navigates its current challenges, time will reveal whether Gina's character can adapt and win over skeptics, securing a lasting place in the hearts of fans, should a fifth movie ever come to fruition.

Still impressive numbers!

Worlwide box office:

EX1 --- $274,470,394

EX2 --- $314,975,955

EX3 --- $214,657,577

EX4 --- $46,010,107 and counting...

------------------------------------------------

$850,114,003 and counting...

There's always hope...

Profiling the New Expendables: Levy Tran (Lash) - Minor Spoiler!

While delving into the archives of the blog, I noticed that years ago, the writers used to publish articles introducing the new members of the Expendables team in the previous installments. In a time when everyone appears disheartened by the mediocre results of EX4, I decided to revive that tradition to bring a smile to the faces of fans.

And who better to feature than Levy Tran, who played a minor role in the movie but exudes stunning beauty.

Following the introductions of Maggie and Luna in the previous chapters, Lash (Levy Tran) is the latest female addition to the Expendables team, having joined the ensemble alongside Megan Fox's character, Gina.

Lash is introduced to the team by Gina when she assumes leadership of the group. She is a highly skilled ninja, proficient with a chain whip, brought in to assist the team in uncharted territories.

However, Levy Tran's presence in the film didn't seem to resonate well with fans, as her character lacked depth, was introduced without any background, and, to some extent, disrupted the flow of the movie in the final act.

From "MacGyver" to Hollywood Success

Levy's journey to becoming a sought-after Hollywood talent is a story of determination. Born on April 8, 1983, in San Jose, California, Tran initially gained recognition as a successful model, captivating audiences with her unique style and striking appearance.

Transition to Acting

Despite her modeling success, acting was Levy's true passion. Her breakthrough came when she secured a recurring role on the popular TV series "Shameless." In this role, she showcased her versatility as an actress while portraying Eddie, a character grappling with complex issues of identity and relationships.

Martial Arts Expertise

One of the exciting aspects of Levy Tran's addition to the Expendables team was her extensive background in martial arts. She is proficient in various combat disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing, which theoretically should have added a dynamic element to the film's action sequences. However, her character's lack of development and the disjointed introduction overshadowed her potential contributions.

Career Highlights

Levy Tran's notable career includes roles in "The First Purge," "Furious 7," and her portrayal of Desi Nguyen in the 2016 "MacGyver" reboot series.

Box Office: ‘Expend4bles’ Flops With $8.3 Million Debut as ‘The Nun II’ Claims No. 1 Again

“The Expendables 4,” an action-thriller starring Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham, misfired in its box office debut, tumbling to a franchise-low $8.3 million.

It landed in ever-so-slightly second place behind “The Nun II,” which collected $8.4 million in its third weekend. It’s possible the order could flip by the time the final tally is revealed on Monday. Even so, this weekend’s collective ticket sales resulted in the lowest-grossing box office frame of the year as not a single film managed to clear $10 million.

Heading into the weekend, the Lionsgate and Millenium “Expendables” fourquel was expected to open to $15 million from 3,400 North American theaters. Instead, audiences felt the film was, well, expendable. Without encouraging reviews or positive word-of-mouth, opening weekend figures weren’t anywhere close to its series predecessors of 2014’s “Expendables 3” with $15.8 million, 2012 sequel with $28.5 million and 2010’s original “Expendables” with $34.8 million.

“The last two ‘Expendables’ have dropped sharply from the previous episodes, and the weekend figure is below average for the genre,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research Critics. “Reviews are poor and audience ratings are dull.”

Though the “Expendables” series has declined in popularity at the domestic box office (the original ended up with $103 million in North America, while the most recent tapped out with a paltry $39 million), these films have been much bigger draws with international audiences. All three installments have earned at least $200 million globally. The fourth installment cost $100 million to produce, roughly the same as its predecessors. Scott Waugh directed “The Expendables 4,” which sees the teflon operatives attempting to stop a terrorist group that threatens to ignite a conflict between Russia and the United States.

“The movie was not cheap to make,” Gross adds. “While ancillary income should be strong, it appears the film will have a hard time getting to profitability after marketing and distribution costs.”

 

Source: Variety

EX4 - Box Office Update

DOMESTIC 

$8,300,000

INTERNATIONAL 

$19,340,000

WORLDWIDE 

$27,640,000

EXPEND4BLES Producers Spill Secrets: Miami Premiere Exclusive

Expendables 4 Director Talks John Wick Comparisons And Jason Statham's Fighting Style

To start with sort of a broad question, I've noticed a lot of chatter online about how the very concept of movie stars selling tickets and driving people to the movies doesn't seem to exist anymore — at least not to the same extent it used to. Obviously, you still have Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, and Margot Robbie still out there doing their thing. But I wanted to ask you, as someone who's had experience with working with Jackie Chan, John Cena, and now the entire cast of "Expendables," I wanted to know what your thoughts on that were.

SW: Well, I think there's still a lot of actors that would love to do it, but in today's climate, we're in a strike and that eliminates all of that. So, unfortunately, the audiences are the ones suffering and not getting to see their stars out in front of the camera. So I still think it's a necessity, and hope to see more of them do it in the future.

Now that you're coming into this franchise, three movies in, you're hitting the ground running and jumping on board this moving train for the first time. What was that experience like for you?

SW: Being a part of a franchise like this is a treat. As a filmmaker, when you've been in the action arena like myself for my whole career since I was 12, it's exciting to be a part of these action heroes. And to work with, obviously, Sylvester Stallone, the pioneer of the action genre, him and Arnold. So it was a thrill when I got the call that they wanted me to come over and direct.

What was your pitch when joining this franchise? Was it maybe a mix of that and your background as a stuntman that helped bring you aboard? What do you think?

SW: I was super humbled when they came to me and asked me if I wanted to direct. So I was like, "Wow. All right. I would love that." They're like, "Hey. Would you want to do 'Expendables 4'?" I was like, "Hell, yes." [laughs] So I think my background definitely lends to the franchise. And Sly's been wanting to work with me for ... ever since "Act of Valor," we've been trying to find something together to work with. So I think it was a natural fit, when that slot opened up.

Since you alluded to your background as a stuntman for all those years, it feels like the pipeline from stuntmen becoming directors was sort of made famous by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski with the first "John Wick" movie, and they've both talked about how their stunt experience helped them with crafting the action on that movie and the movies that they've directed since then. Did you find that to be a similar experience with you, with all the movies that you've done, but especially "Expendables 4?"

SW: Yeah. I think back in the "Act of Valor" days, in frickin' 2012, was really my come-out as a director, as an action director. And just trying to put the audience in the boots of the stuff that I've seen in my current career, so they can see action from my lens, is exciting to me. And I feel like David and Chad, now coming out and doing their stuff the way they are, is really fantastic and really just getting more action filmmakers for the audience to really have the style of action elevated. And I feel like stuntmen are very fortunate enough to have seen it differently, so I'm glad that there's more opportunities happening.

With "Expendables 4," did any of the main cast surprise you with their willingness to do their own stunts? Was there anybody whose natural talent for it kind of blew you away on set?

SW: I think that it's incredible how talented these guys really are. You don't know if they're really getting a lot of stunt doubles coming in, making them look better than they are. But then, when I got on set, to see that Sly and Jason are still doing it, man [laughs], it's wild to watch. And Jason's a really incredible actor to watch fight. His style is really — as an action guy, I can say it this way: His style's beautiful. It's pretty to watch because he's so precise and his form is really powerful. So it's great designing fights for him, because you know he is going to make it look fantastic.

Not only is "Expendables 4" sort of being measured against the previous movies in this franchise, but in the almost decade since "Expendables 3" came out, you have franchises like "Mission: Impossible," "Fast & Furious," "John Wick," even a whole bunch of superhero movies that are sort of raising the bar of action in the years since. Was that ever a conscious thought in your mind when you approached this movie? And could you feel that pressure on set, when you're filming this and trying to bring these wild set pieces to life?

SW: I think that the interesting thing with "Expendables" is, it's still a grounded franchise. And the other features that you're talking about go beyond reality and really go to what I call sensationalism. And I think "Expendables" is not really into that category. They're really still just your hardcore, '80s-style action. And I think "Expendables 4" was all about staying true to that brand, not making it something that it's not. And I think it still has a lot of action, kicks a lot of ass, and we blow a lot of s*** up and it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

What was your general approach to keeping the set pieces and the choreography fresh this time around?

SW: Keep stuff moving. And I feel like that's the one thing I really wanted to do that was a little bit different. Most of the time, we ride in cool-ass vehicles, and we get out, and then we fight. And I'm like, "Well, how do we actually stay in the vehicles and keep fighting, where we never stop moving? Or get on a motorcycle and keep it spinning?" That was the one thing I tried to bring, to just, "Keep this thing hauling ass and taking names."

Was there room for improvisation on set during filming? You hear about other franchises where they're sort of making these movies up on the fly, it seems like, and are constantly in flux. I'm just curious what production was like during "Expendables 4."

SW: It's definitely a collaboration with those type of actors, right? It's really, you bring the choreography to the set, but you're also ... you've got great acting heroes, man. You want their involvement, right? So we would show them the fights and show them the action. I think it was really always this wonderful collaboration between myself and Jason and Sly.

I feel like I can honestly say I don't remember ever seeing a bike chase set on the deck of a moving ship before [laughs]. Were there any specific touchstones for inspiration that you looked to when it came to crafting these sorts of set pieces and action sequences?

SW: It's like you say, you want to do something fresh, right? You want to try to have the audience go, "Wow, man. I've never seen that before," right? So that was the impetus of, "Let's have a motorcycle chase on an aircraft carrier." And it's like, "What?" [laughs] "And mount some guns on it, at the same time," right? So in true "Expendables" fashion, that's kind of one of our little trademarks in the "Expendables 4," is this cool motorcycle chase on the ship.

Were there any sequences in particular that you read from the script and you just knew, in that moment, that you couldn't wait to bring it to life?

SW: You know, one of the things that's really difficult for me, as a filmmaker and a stuntman, is when I read action on the page, to be honest, I don't really read much of it. Because I just need to know where it starts and how it ends, and I'll use my imagination in how I actually bring them together and try to create something original. And I think that's usually why people hire me on to direct films: They know that I'm going to take the action and kind of ... I don't want to say throw out what the writer did, but normally it's a placeholder for me to get in there and try to come up with something fresh and new, and see what the location has to offer as well.

It's no secret that "Expendables 3" sort of broke from franchise tradition by going with a PG-13 rating. And even in the marketing for "Expendables 4," it seems like you've been really pumping up the fact that it's a hard R. Just watching it at the press screening, there were so many moments where the audience instinctively yelled during some of the more gnarly kills. Was that a conscious thought in your mind? Did you really want to push the envelope on what you could get away with in terms of violence?

SW: [laughs] 100%. My first question was, when they asked me if I wanted to direct it, I said, "Are we adhering to this PG-13, or can we go back to hard R?" And then, when they said, "No. 100% R," I was super excited, because I was like, "That's what the fans want in this franchise." So we could design visceral moments that, in your head, you think, Man, are we going too far? And then you're thinking, to myself, I think the audience is going to really love that. Fortunately, the audience response has been kind of classic because, exactly what you said, in moments that would pretty much gross most people out, there's been applause [laughs].

Did you ever get feedback that you maybe went a little too far and kind of had to pull back? Or how was it on the studio side of things?

SW: The beauty of this one, Millennium, the owners of the franchise with Lionsgate, they understand the brand, they understand what the audience wants, and they're not afraid to go there, so they never had to say, "Hey. That's a little too graphic. Can we pull it back?" There was never that discussion, which was liberating as a filmmaker.

My final question for you: I know fans might not realize your deep connections with Spider-Man, especially your father, too, going back to the original "The Amazing Spider-Man" show [as second unit director and stuntman for Nicholas Hammond]. I was wondering if you had any just memories, any stories of working on the Sam Raimi movie back in the 2000s?

SW: Yeah, my father was the original Spider-Man in '76. And when they asked my father and myself to come work on the Sam Raimi version, it was a lot of token appreciation for my father. And me, being his son, got to be there for that moment. To be honest [laughs], we didn't really do a hell of a whole lot on stunts on that show. We were there as just supporters and excited just to be a part of Spider-Man. But, I will say this: I hope one day I get to check that box and direct a Spider-Man, because that would just, that would make my whole world, man. So, maybe, one day.

 

Source: Slash Film

EX4 Reviews by Popular YouTube Movie Critics

RT Audience Score Higher Than EX2 (For NOW)!

While the box office numbers, critic reviews and IMDb ratings may not reflect it, the Rotten Tomatoes audience score currently stands as the highest in the franchise (for now at least). This may seem counter intuitive, considering the abundance of negative comments and low box office scores. However, perhaps the movie isn't as bad as it seems. Writers have even posted a couple of positive reviews here on the blog.

It's over!

After EX4's disheartening first day in the US with only $3.2M (including Thursday’s $750,000) and a projected first weekend of only $8M the chances of an EX5 have pretty much evaporated! It was a great ride that now seems to be over. For a lot of fans (including me) the EXPENDABLES Tetralogy will forever be remembered as one of the greatest action franchises ever!

R.I.P.!

A Statham Action Movie with an Identity Crisis - Review by Angel

This is my first post on the blog of which I've been a fan for a decade, so thanks for the opportunity to share my review.

I finally watched "Expend4bles," and I was very surprised to find only ten people in the theater. However, to my amazement, the movie exceeded my expectations, despite the numerous negative reviews. I entered with low expectations, but it turned out to be quite enjoyable. I agree with the criticism that it doesn't truly feel like an authentic Expendables film, but as a standalone Jason Statham action movie, it holds up well. I approached it as a Statham action flick, and it delivered precisely that.

But let's get real about the review of "Expend4bles." If you're a die-hard fan of classic action movies like me, with Sylvester Stallone as your all-time favorite, "The Expendables 2" was your jam. Seeing Sly, Schwarzenegger, Lundgren, and a whole squad of action legends sharing the screen was a true delight. If you go in with that mindset, this one might disappoint. Buckle up because we're venturing into a realm where nostalgia takes an unexpected turn. This is a Statham-centric movie.

 

In "Expend4bles," it feels like Avi, Les, Kevin & Co are attempting to recapture the magic of nostalgia, but with a group of newcomers, and not everyone is feeling it.

So, what's the deal with this one? The plot goes like this: a group of mercenaries known as the Expendables is on a mission to stop Rahmat (portrayed by Iko Uwais), the villain du jour, from unleashing mass destruction with stolen nukes. It's reminiscent of '80s Cold War thrillers but lacks the charisma and heart-pounding excitement.

Stallone returns as Barney Ross, our beloved leader, but here's the twist—they sideline him for a significant portion of the film. Instead, Jason Statham steps up as Lee Christmas. Don't get me wrong; Statham is a legitimate action star, and he carries the movie quite well on his shoulders. He's a solid action hero.

Let's discuss the female characters. Megan Fox's character, Gina, seems like she's thrown into the mix to add some eye candy and deliver outdated humor, but her beauty distracts from these shortcomings. It's a cringe-worthy portrayal that doesn't do justice to the strong, complex heroines we expect in action cinema. However, this critique applies only when viewed through the lens of an Expendables film. In the context of a Statham movie, as his love interest, she performs effectively.

Levy Tran takes on the role of Lash. She adds style to the team, but her character lacks depth, and there's no explanation or character development for her. They should have omitted her character; she felt unnecessary and ruined a little bit of the only good fight scene featuring Tony Jaa.

As for the action sequences, they're filled with shaky camera work and frenetic editing. It's a bit of a visual mess, and you'll find yourself trying to figure out what's actually happening on the screen. This isn't the clean, precise action choreography of the past; it's more like a chaotic barroom brawl. Nonetheless, for a Statham action movie destined for home viewing, it's really good.

Now, about the humor—well, it's a far cry from Stallone and Schwarzenegger trading witty one-liners. The jokes often fall flat, and the camaraderie among the Expendables feels forced. The issue is that '80s humor doesn't quite fit in today's world when imposed on actors who don't belong to the pantheon of action heroes. They should have skipped the humor and not attempted to force it.

Now, delving into the supporting cast, Tony Jaa, known for his Thai martial arts skills, appears in the film, but it fails to fully showcase his talents. "Expend4bles" rushes his action sequences with clumsy camera work and choppy editing. It's a missed opportunity to let Jaa shine on the big screen. The producers clearly tried to blend two worlds between "High Value Target" and "The Expendables" and didn't succeed. It might have been better to stick with the Statham and Jaa dynamic, giving Jaa the screen time he deserved.

Then there's Iko Uwais, who wowed us with heart-pounding action in "The Raid: Redemption." Sadly, "Expend4bles" waters down his skills and charisma. The fight scenes lack the intensity and fluidity that made him a martial arts sensation. He's not Van Damme and Gibson and plays a weaker villain than the previous two installments. But again, this could have been a solid Statham/Jaa movie with Uwais as a proper villain given adequate screen time and depth with more fights between the three.

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson makes an appearance as Easy Day, seemingly meant to replace Terry Crews, but he falls far short, feeling more like a paycheck grab. His character lacks depth, and it's clear he's just along for the ride.

Andy Garcia takes on the role of a CIA contact who assigns the mission to the Expendables. While Garcia is undoubtedly a talented actor, his performance feels somewhat vacant, leaving you wondering if more could have been done with his character. In general, his presence feels out of place, especially following the roles played by the likes of Willis and Ford. The choice of the CIA character was questionable, and the end twist feels weak, in my opinion.

Lundgren and Couture have more prominent roles this time, likely to pay homage to the previous movies. However, Lundgren's appearance looks odd in this film; the hairpiece was a questionable choice.

But the most significant issue with "Expend4bles" is its identity crisis. It tries desperately to cling to the glory days of muscle-bound heroes and over-the-top action while striving to remain relevant in 2023 as a Statham movie, to ensure the franchise's future. In my opinion, they should have chosen one direction or the other, and in either case, committing fully would have resulted in a more promising film with better box office potential.

Now, don't get me wrong; if you're still nostalgic for the '80s and adore Stallone like I do, you might find some fleeting comfort in "Expend4bles." However, be forewarned—it's a far cry from what the series initially promised. Stallone's charisma still shines, but this movie? Well, in today's action cinema landscape, it's a good Statham movie with potential for future sequels.

Overall, I had a good time and liked it very much as a Statham movie, but I could have waited to stream it. As for the Expendables, perhaps it's a reminder that while we can cherish the past, sometimes it's best to leave it there and preserve the memory of the franchise in good spirits.

Scott Waugh talks ‘EXPEND4BLES,’ going back to basics, and working with action icons

Fresh off the success of Netflix’s global sensation Hidden Strike starring Jackie Chan and John Cena, EXPEND4BLES marks the filmmaker’s first time helming an established blockbuster franchise. Ahead of the film’s release, We Got This Covered had the chance to speak to Waugh about his latest feature, taking the brand back to basics, working with so many icons, how his history as a stuntman informed the set pieces and much more, which you can check out below.

This isn’t just your first franchise movie, or the first Expendables in nearly a decade, but it’s also the first one of your features that you haven’t edited as well, so what was that like for you as a filmmaker coming into an established IP and getting hit with all of these new experiences at once?

Scott Waugh: You know, being a part of the Expendables franchise is just kind of one for me, as a previous stuntman, and it’s an excitement to work with somebody like Sly, and Jason. To me, you gotta check boxes in life. And a couple of the last two checkboxes I have in my career to work with the quintessential action heroes is Sly, and I’m on a current movie with Arnold. So I will have completed my quest in life. I can die peacefully now!

The basic concept of The Expendables has always – and always needs to be – basically the same; they get big guns, they banter, and they blow away a small army. But how do you approach that as a first-time director on the franchise, knowing there’s a certain set of expectations audiences have that you can’t deviate from, but also having the task of finding a fresh angle and new way in when it’s four movies deep?

Scott Waugh: I think, happy to hear you ask that question. And I think, first and foremost, you always have to be adherent to the brand. And being a new director to the franchise, I tried to bring my personal taste into it, but be reliant on what they’ve already done. So I’m not deviating from the first three. And it really became a collaboration between myself, Sly, and Jason in terms of the tone, and the action that we were going to bring. And I feel like this fourth installment is truly a throwback to the original.

We went back to a lot of original tone, a lot of original story type. And also, back to the original core cast, to really bring back where the brand started, and we’re very proud of what we accomplished. I think for myself, one of the things I wanted to bring new to the brand was a level of style of fights. That was one thing I feel that we can elevate in the brand. And so we do take down, not a small army, but a big army, and we do it in the cool Expendables fashion.

The cast is smaller than 2 and 3, but it still has that Expendables flavor of bringing in new faces with new skills and creating new dynamics. So even though it doesn’t quite have that revolving door of guest stars and cameos as before, would that have always been your preference as a filmmaker to keep the focus on a smaller group of characters to be able tell the story the way you want to tell it?

Scott Waugh: For myself, the reason I really gravitated towards the fourth installment was the conciseness of the story. And its ability to focus in on the core characters. And I felt like two and three, for me as a filmmaker, were sometimes challenging because you had so many characters coming through the door, the story will kind of get lost because you’re trying to service the characters rather than service the story. And I felt like this one really goes back to the original style of Expendables.

Sylvester Stallone created the franchise but has said this is his last Expendables movie, while Jason Statham is listed as a producer on the series for the first time. There’s a passing of the torch vibe in the movie, but was it also that way off-camera given the circumstances?

Scott Waugh: Look, I think the beauty of Jason and Sly is their relationship, and you can’t deny Sly’s franchise ability, to continually create new franchises. So there’s a respect level that comes from even myself working with somebody like Sly, relying on his expertise, and really being respectful of what he started. And I think Jason still is very respectful of Sly, and wants to actually continue on with a brand in Sly fashion.

So we would continually, even on the day, still bounce stuff off Sly, and really, really lean on him. So I think Jason is going to do very well taking over the franchise. He’s a perfect character to continue on with it. And yes, I do believe it remains to be seen if Sly would come back for the fifth one. I would honestly be slightly surprised if he does not.

On a similar note, then, does that mean you would be easily convinced to become the first director to make two Expendables movies?

Scott Waugh: I am game and open to it, I really had a terrific time working with these legends. And if asked to come play again, I would be, you know, I’d be thrilled.

Any self-respecting action junkie has been naming Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa as potential Expendables for years and they’ve finally got their wish, but I’ve always been curious about how the casting process works for the franchise based on nothing but the sheer volume of iconic stars to have dropped by.

Scott Waugh: I think they always service the story first. And so the script was written, and then obviously, we try to find actors that can facilitate the new roles. And, you know, I myself, I’m paying attention to some of the brand work that I’ve done before, maybe a little bit lesser-known legends around the world. And I thought Iko Uwais, fantastic fight guy from the The Raid, really wanted him to be a part of this movie.

And the beauty of Tony Jaa was he was the original casting done five years ago with him and Jason, when they originally talked about possibly spooling up Expendables 4. And so Tony Jaa was the first one actually signed on a long time ago. And I think it’s evident between him and Jason in the movie, their chemistry, because they’re just fantastic. Off-screen and on-screen.

You’ve got an extensive background as a stunt performer which is obviously a huge benefit, but when you’re working with guys like Sly, Dolph, Jason, Iko, and Tony that literally have hundreds of action movies under their collective belt, does that have an effect on the way the sequences are put together in terms of not just their experience, but playing to their strengths as performers?

Scott Waugh: I think the beauty of working on an Expendables franchise film is you have actors that can do their own stunts. So now, me being a stuntman, I can now lean into their strengths and develop action that I know they can do, and do something really exciting with them.

I don’t have to hide the stunt double. So it’s really fun working on an Expendables franchise, with these types of actors. So I think the collaboration was great. You know, I’ve worked with majority of these actors in some capacity probably back in my stunt career, I really crossed paths with the majority of them, so it was an easier collaboration for myself and them.

If you could draft in one actor past or present that hasn’t been part of the franchise yet to be an Expendable, who would be your number one pick and why would it be them?

Scott Waugh: Wow. You know, to be honest, I think one of the coolest cats that would have ever been a part of the franchise would have been Steve McQueen. One of the obviously coolest actors in the past, and had that edge, and skills to be a part of this kind of franchise with his stunt driving and motorcycle racing and all that, so I think he would have been an awesome addition to the whole franchise. And hey, with AI, who knows? 

 

Source: We got this covered

'Expend4bles' goes 'back to basics,' producers say

The Expendables franchise producers Kevin King Templeton and Les Weldon said Expend4bles, in theaters Friday, rectifies some missteps they made with 2014's Expendables 3.

"Expendables 3 wasn't received as well as we would have hoped," King Templeton told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "We had to really rethink what we were going to do next -- the whole idea of going back to basics."

Stallone created the franchise to unite legendary action movie icons with the new generation. Though Expendables 3 had the largest ensemble cast of the franchise, the producers said it was an error to release it with a PG-13 rating when action fans supported the prior two R-rated movies.

"Hindsight is 20/20, but we understood as producers that was a mistake to release PG[-13] Expendables when your core audience just loves it so much," Weldon said. "This is why we were so committed to making this a hard R, going back more to the roots."

To help bring Expend4bles back to basics, Weldon and King Templeton hired Wugh to direct it. Waugh is a former stuntman, who made his directorial debut with the military thriller Act of Valor.

"He does these hard military movies," Weldon said. "So, he could bring a lot of authenticity to this franchise."

After directing PG-13 movies Need for Speed and 6 Below, and the Jackie Chan-John Cena action-comedy Hidden Fortress, Waugh said he welcomed a return to hard-edged action. This meant simulating blood sprays and using real explosives on the set.

"All my special effects guy kept hearing me say was 'more fuel, more fuel,'" Waugh said.

The Expendables are a team of hired mercenaries led by Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone). The team's latest mission tasks them to recover a detonator villain Rahmat (Iko Uweis) stole from a Libyan general.

The Expendables pursue Rahmat to a battleship, which was a nearly 200-foot set. Visual effects placed the set out at sea.

"It was outside," King Templeton said. "We had the elements much like you'd have one on a ship outside. Obviously, we weren't in the middle of the ocean, but you had to recreate as much as you could."

One liberty the filmmakers took with the battleship was staging a motorcycle chase on it. Waugh said the Expendables films can take such liberties in the name of over-the-top fun.

"The way ships are really built, you can't ride a motorcycle in the lower decks the way the trap doors are," Waugh said.

The current roster of Expendables includes Stallone, Jason Statham, Megan Fox, 50 Cent, Levy Tran, Jacob Scipio, Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture. Andy Garcia and Tony Jaa also join their mission.

Having all 10 heroes on screen simultaneously was not always possible. So Waugh filmed actors when they were available and combined them together.

"Sometimes, you have to shoot scenes three times because you only have one actor this day," Waugh said. "Two weeks later, you've got the other actor, and at the end of the schedule you have the final actor."

Waugh said schedules did overlap on some occasions to film the ensemble together. However, King Templeton acknowledged that most of their Expendables are the leads of other films, gracing the franchise in supporting roles.

"A lot of them are marquee names who are green-lighting their own films," King Templeton said. "Everything's about timing."

Fox's character, Gina, is a new love interest for Lee Christmas (Statham). Statham had a girlfriend played by Charisma Carpenter in the first two films, but Weldon said it was not necessary to explain when or why they broke up.

"It's like in life, a couple years go by and maybe you had a girlfriend and you split," Weldon said. "You have to have somebody who's going to basically give Jason kind of a duel, if you will."

While Gina and Christmas blend romantic and violent chemistry, other duos can simply focus on their physical partnerships. When Statham or Jaa fight Uwais, Waugh made sure to highlight each fighter's unique skills.

Waugh brought Alan Ng from the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, with whom Waugh worked on Hidden Fortress, to choreograph Expend4bles fights.

"We catered each fight to the strengths of each actor," Waugh said. "Everybody needs to have their moment, and the audience wants those moments, too."

Just as King Templeton and Weldon recalibrated after the response to Expendables 3, they will wait before planning any Expendables 5.

"I want to see how this does first," King Templeton said. "It's not mine or Les's decision. It's going to be the fans that decide."

 

Source: Yahoo!

Expendables 4 Stunt Coordinator Unpacks the Film's Hong Kong Action Influence

Ahead of the release of Expend4bles, CBR caught up with the film's stunt coordinator Alan Ng, who has worked on renowned films like The Karate Kid, The Spy Next Door, and Hidden Strike. Ng revealed more about the movie's stylized fight scenes and how they compare to stunts from other Expendables movies. He also revealed which star surprised him the most with their natural ability for action and stunts.

CBR: Thanks for your time, Alan. I'd like to start off by discussing a little bit about your background. What inspired you to go into the world of stunts? Was there a specific performer or movie that influenced you?

Alan Ng: Thank you for having me. I grew up watching all the old-school Hong Kong action stars like Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon and Fist of Fury, as well as Jackie Chan's Police Story and Project A. I grew up watching their films and idolized them because they were like real-life superheroes, and I knew that's what I wanted to do.

Stunt people are the unsung heroes of action movies. Please tell us more about who was part of the team for Expend4bles and what they brought to the production.

Everyone on my team was fantastic. We included a bit of Hong Kong style into the fight scenes to add something different, and my team helped me accomplish that. It was a real team effort.

You worked on Hidden Strike and now The Expendables 4. Both are similar in that they feature a fair amount of gun and hand-to-hand combat. What is the process you went through to ensure the action scenes in Expend4bles are unique from other films in the genre?

It was great working with the director, Scott Waugh, again from Hidden Strike. We really appreciate the freedom he gave us to create a different type of action for Expend4bles. It's a lot bloodier, and there's a lot more killing than Hidden Strike.

We gave a lot of thought to all the actors and the characters they were playing to create their own style for the fight. For example, Jason Statham's fighting style is different [from] the previous Expendables [movies], and Iko Uwais' choice of weapons is very unique. We were given a lot of freedom from Scott to create something different and unique.

The previous Expendables movies featured some death-defying stunts, including one where Jason Statham drove a truck and the brakes failed, so he ended up driving it into the water. Without giving away any spoilers, what were some of the stunts that pushed the envelope here, and how did the team cope with it?

I guess you will have to find out. [Laughs]. We always try to push the boundaries for every film, but safety is the most important thing. So, through experience and meticulous planning with the team, we ensure that we can prevent any accidents.

The Expendables series has always had a strong focus on practical effects instead of special effects. What was the balance like for this film, and what does that challenge mean for you and your team?

For me, it was easy as we had such amazing and talented actors [who] can actually do a lot of their own action stunts. The fight scenes for Jason Statham, Iko Uwais, and Tony Jaa are very practical. No effects were used as we tried to keep it very Hong Kong style, where the actors do most of their own fights and stunts. The special effects team did a great job and were very professional. We worked closely with them on certain fight scenes.

Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa are renowned fight choreographers and stunt performers. How did you work with them on their scenes in this movie? Was it a collaborative approach?

It was fantastic. Iko and Tony are so experienced and talented in their art. When creating the scenes, we were all on the same page. When it came to the direction of the style for the fight scenes, we barely needed to say anything when choreographing as it came so naturally to them. It was so easy to work with them because they are so professional and talented.

The majority of the cast in Expend4bles have action movie experience. Which actor surprised you the most with their ability and why?

It would definitely, hands down, be Jason. He moves so well and picks up the fight choreography straight away. He knows which angles showcase his movements in the best way. Jason did the fights himself -- he took the hits and the falls. He is like the old-school Hong Kong action stars.

According to the dates listed for production, it lasted from October to December 2021. For a film of this scale, what were the pressures to get the stunts right in that time frame?

There was a lot of pressure as we came on board when shooting had already started, so we didn't have a pre-vis, but Jason trusted us to create the fight scenes without even seeing any pre-vis or footage. He would arrive on set, run through the fight, then make a few changes. We would film the fight scenes with no rehearsals. I'm very grateful that Jason and Scott put so much trust in me and my team to create some awesome fight scenes in such a tight time frame.

We know that Sylvester Stallone said this is the last Expendables movie. How involved was he in this movie since this is a franchise that's closely associated with him?

It was great working with Stallone, especially [since I was] growing up watching his movies. I mostly focused on Jason, Tony, Iko, Megan Fox, and Levy Tran's fights.

What can you tease about what fans expect from Expend4bles?

A lot of blood, explosions, action, some old and new faces, and some epic fight scenes. The audience has waited nine years for a sequel, and they won't be disappointed.

 

Source: CBR

Producers Discuss Sylvester Stallone, Rambo Sequel

ComingSoon’s Jonathan Sim recently spoke with Expendables 4 producers Kevin King-Templeton (Creed, Rocky Balboa, Rambo: Last Blood) and Les Weldon (Angel Has Fallen, Hellboy, The Hitman’s Bodyguard) about their new movie, and other projects they’re attached to and would like to make in the future. The film is out in theaters this Friday, September 22.

Jonathan Sim: So this is the fourth Expendables movie, and the cast is a little bit different from what we saw for the first three entries. So I wanted to ask, what was your initial reaction when you found out that franchise veterans, like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jet Li wouldn’t be returning for this one? And how’d you go about filling that gap?

Kevin King-Templeton: Well, we knew they weren’t gonna be in it. We based the characters and the actors around how the story was developed. It’s not to say that people don’t come in and outta the franchise, but each Expendables is a modular movie, and it’s all based on the story. One guy may be front and center, and one may take a backseat and another one. So it’s all based on the story, on the script.

Les Weldon: Yeah. And we have our core group, and there are other characters that come
in and out and whatnot. But at the end of the day, we needed these Expendables movies to be story-driven and not just actor-driven. You know, you suddenly get an idea, I want to put this actor in the film, but there’s not really a place for him necessarily, depending on what you’re trying to do with the story and not, and that’s why these new characters and these new actors that we brought in, [like] 50 Cent and, and Iko [Uwais] and Tony [Jaa] and Megan Fox, they all fit with what we were trying to do with the film. And the script was in development for a long time, and we knew we needed to get good characters bigger than life. And we were very fortunate to get some legendary Asian stars and Megan to really help bring the Christmas character forward and whatnot.

Which one of the new Expendables actors in this movie surprised you the most with just how well they fit into this established franchise?

Templeton: Well, Tony [Jaa], I think was, I mean, Tony and Iko [Uwais] are legends, absolute legends, right? Tony is now an Expendable. Iko was on the other side, but they both slotted in so perfectly. I mean, Expendables is a full-on action picture, and they’re action actors, so it was seamless having them in there. I mean obviously, there’s a lot of action, a lot of fight scenes in there, which is why we had them. And the story was driven around them but around the fighting sequences. So when it comes to how seamless they were, whether the story was
written around them, it was basically—The Expendables is an action film, so it was written around actors that can have the weight and have the persona to do this kind of thing. We’ve always had Tony Jaa in mind, and getting Iko was a real find. We were lucky to get Iko, I mean, The Raid? Oh my God, never seen action like that. I must have watched that 14 times. So
having him in the movie, fantastic.

Weldon: You get guys like that and you’re gonna pair them up with your own guys like Jason [Statham], and there’s gonna be eventually a collision there. It makes it that much more exciting for the story and the fans. And because the fans then can’t wait to see these guys in action, whether on the good side or the bad side or whatever it is. To me, it just really helps elevate the movie.

I think the lifeblood of this franchise has always been Sylvester Stallone, and you have both worked with him extensively in the past. So what is he like as a collaborator that makes you want to keep working with him?

Templeton: He’s a great collaborator. That’s why he is been so successful. You know, he wrote and directed and starred in the first one, started it all off. And even on this one, he dug in, was doing a lot of writing himself. He’s a filmmaker, and he is a problem solver. Jason loves his writing. Jason loves Sly’s dialogue. They’re very good together. Sly’s got a beat on Jason’s rhythm and his cadence and his lines. Sly has been one of the most collaborative people on all these four movies, no matter what role he has taken on it, how long he’s been in it. And, you know. Obviously, in the first one, it was all him. Second one, someone else directed it. Third one too. This one, a little different. But he still had a massive thumbprint on the script and on the movie.

Are there any actors that come to mind that you would want to appear in a fifth Expendables movie?

Templeton: Let’s get the fourth one out first. *laughs*

Weldon: Yeah, let’s. We don’t like to really look ahead that way. Again, it’s more like, let’s see the fans; that’s why we’re doing this. We’re not doing it for ourselves just to make another movie. So Kevin and I can say, oh, we’re gonna do another Expendables. We’re doing this for the fans. And if the fans really like it and really wanna go, then we’ll start thinking, what can we do? What can we give them?

Templeton: It’s a fan-driven franchise, Jonathan. You know, if there’s an appetite for it, we’ll make it,

In 2014, it was announced that Stallone will be starring in this movie called Scarpa with you attached as producers. Would you be able to share any update on this project?

Templeton: Oh, that was just a development. I mean, IMDb is a self-reporting site. So, you know, I don’t even know how that got put up there. I mean, there were a couple of meetings
that I had with Sly, but it didn’t come to anything. And then Sly’s done his own Mafia thing. He did Tulsa King. Scarpa was an old Mafia movie, so that was about 10 years ago.

Weldon: We’re not sure where it is at this point. *laughs*

You’ve both worked so extensively in Hollywood before. You’ve produced so many incredible movies, and worked in so many different franchises. Looking back at both of your extensive filmographies, are there any potential sequels to your previous films that you would hopefully like to make in the future?

Templeton: Hmm. I think Rambo, I’d love to do another Rambo.

Oh, I’d love to see another Rambo. That would be amazing. What about you, Les?

Weldon: The same. Rambo. I mean, there’s several different franchises that we’re on, and we’re thinking about for the future. And as well as new projects. You know, it’s, again, it becomes a matter of if, if there is a demand from the fan base, we’ll be the first ones to jump
on there, which is why Expendables is happening again. Sometimes Kevin and I will say, “well, I don’t know if there’s gonna be another.” And then the demand comes up, and people are asking, and asking and asking. Buyers are asking, and that was the case with this. And so we took this very seriously to develop this, you know, so that we would do it right. And yeah. And give them something they wanted.

This is the franchise that keeps on giving ’cause we have so many of these awesome actors, and they’re all bringing their personas into this, into these movies, and that’s the fun.

Weldon: And that’s the thing: there really isn’t another franchise quite like this, where you can have 10 different real big actors together and all be able to share at the same time. You know what I’m saying? That’s the difficult part. Sometimes, it’s all the scheduling, and then it’s making sure the script can give to all of them so nobody really feels left out and make it work that way. It’s a tough job.

I think we’re all sitting here because you love action movies. I love action movies, especially throwback action movies. So what is your favorite throwback 80s/90s action film?

Templeton: Ooh, that’s like asking what’s your favorite meal? I mean, it’s usually the one you’ve got in front of you at the moment. That’s a tough question, Jonathan. I mean, there’s a lot. I mean, I love the Die Hards. I love the Rambos. I love the James Bonds. Listen, I’m a fan of action, adventure, escapism, you know, I might want to go somewhere on a Saturday night and sit there and watch a movie, just escape for a couple of hours and see some good old kicking, some good fight sequences, some good locales, great scenery, some good fights. Yo escape for a couple of hours, life’s too serious sometimes. Sometimes you just need to get out of your own environment for a while and just be entertained. So they’re the types of movies I like, and they’re the types of movies I hope to make. Hopefully, Expendables 4 is one of them. I mean, we do our best. You put your best foot forward and hope it, like Les says, like giving birth, and you hope when the baby comes out, it is healthy and happy. Yeah, absolutely. So they’re my favorite action pictures. I mean, I’m like you, I’m an action fan. Yeah.

Weldon: I mean, I can lap up action, as Kevin mentioned, from First Blood to Die Hard to The Dirty Dozen, it doesn’t matter the decade. And for me, I’ve been very lucky and fortunate that I’m part of this Expendables franchise because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And it’s something that 20, 30 years from now, people will look back and go, “ah, The Expendables. That was great.” 

 

Source: Comingsoon

‘Expendables’ Producers Contend That They’ve Gotten Every Actor They’ve Wanted

According to the internet, Jackie Chan, Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino are just a few of the names that have allegedly been approached about joining The Expendables. But the franchise's producers say not to believe everything you read.

"I'm not sure there was anybody," Les Weldon tells The Messenger when asked which actor he wished they would have been able to cast. His fellow producer Kevin King-Templeton adds: "I think we got who we went after."

"We did have other actors who wanted to do the project, and we couldn't fit them in," Weldon continues. "But, as Kevin said, I think everybody that we wanted, we got."

Among the well-known actors to appear in at least one Expendables film are Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Liam Hemsworth, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Glen Powell, Kelsey Grammer, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, and Harrison Ford.

"Actors see this as a fun, cool, kind of escapism movie," King-Templeton explains. "We never had an issue with someone that we focused on or someone that Sly wanted, or Jason wanted, or the studio wanted. It was all based on the story."

Nine years after Expendables 3, some of the gang is back for Expend4bles, which features original players Stallone, Statham, Lundgren, and Randy Couture. They're joined by a group of newcomers that includes Megan Fox, 50 Cent, Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa, and Andy Garcia.

"We got 50 Cent, Megan, Iko, Tony Jaa, and we were really going after these guys," Weldon says. "I mean, Tony and Iko are legends in Asia and all over the world. We wanted them for the film, and they were more than happy to do it. They knew that they were coming into his group that's really been together for 15 years in some way or another, and they fit in so well into this. I think this fourth one is going to be an amazing film with the chemistry they all have."

 

Source: The Messenger

Box Office: ‘Expendables 4’ Lands Only $3.2M Friday on Way to Franchise Worst Opening

Lionsgate and Millenium’s Expendables 4 has hit theaters with $3.2 million in Friday grosses as the movie heads for a franchise-low opening. Friday’s tally includes $750,000 in Thursday evening previews.

The $100 million budgeted film, financed by Millenium, had been looking to open in the $15 million range, with some estimates on the high end placing it closer to $17 million. But early returns, however, now show it coming in around $8 million. The Nun II could even beat it.

Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham return to the blow-em-up franchise, along with alumni Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture. The official synopsis for the film reads: “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.” Megan Fox, 50 Cent, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, and Levy Tran are among the newcomers to the series, along with Andy Gracia.

It has been nearly a decade since the last Expendables film hit theaters. The first three Expendables outings, released in 2010, 2012, and 2014, have collectively grossed an impressive $800 million at the global box office. The 2014 film, the most recent to hit theaters, grossed $15.8 million in its opening weekend and went on to a total of $214 million at the global box office. The 2010 original opened to $34.8 million, while the 2012 sequel bowed at $28.5 million.

The critical reception for film has been less than stellar, with the THR review of the movie reading, “This edition — essentially a sub-par Jason Statham vehicle (after this and Meg 2: The Trench, some quality control might be in order for the actor) featuring a brief appearance by Stallone and several new castmembers who fail to make much of an impression — indicates that it’s time to put a fork in the series; it’s done.”

Source: THR