Sylvester Stalloneis back in Barney Ross mode, as the actor shared some new photos and a video from the set ofThe Expendables 4, which is currently in production. The action franchise has remained dormant since 2014’sThe Expendables 3before the fourth installment wasannounced in August.
Stallone’sInstagrampost contained three pictures and one video, in which he revved up a hot rod while chomping on a cigar. And if that doesn’t serve as an instant call-to-action for the franchise’s target audience, then quick glimpses at Stallone’s co-starsDolph LundgrenandJason Stathamcertainly will. “Some behind the scenes of the NEW EXPENDABLES,” Stallone captioned his post, tagging both Lundgren and Statham.
The originalTHRreport that announced the film said that Statham’s Lee Christmas will essentially function as the protagonist, while franchise newcomerMegan Foxwill star as the female lead. In addition to Stallone (who was reported to havedeclined an offer to returnsome time ago), Lundgren and Statham,The Expendables 4will also bring backRandy Couture. Other new blood includesTony Jaa,Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, andAndy Garcia, who will reportedly play a CIA handler who accompanies the Expendables on their mission.
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The central thrust of the series, at least so far, seems to be stunt-casting its way into the heads and hearts of audiences that adore the action cinema of the 1980s and 90s. The tongue-in-cheek tone of the movies have made them reliable box office hits. The first film, directed by Stallone himself, made $274 million worldwide, and the second, directed bySimon West, crossed the $300 million threshold. The third film, directed byPatrick Hughes, managed to earn $214 million worldwide on a $100 million budget.
Lionsgate seems to have realized thatExpendablesisn’t a franchise that should be ignored, although it remains to be seen just how hungry audiences still are for cheesy action throwbacks.The Expendables 4is directed byScott Waugh(NeedforSpeed,ActofValor), and is written bySpenser Cohen, with revisions byMax AdamsandJohn Joseph Connolly.
The Expendables 4has yet to receive a release date, but you can check out Stallone’s Instagram post below.
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