In 2010, Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham united on screen as the Expendables. The "aging action stars" franchise put those two heavy hitters to work alongside talents such as Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, and Terry Crews. Now, 13 years later, the Expendables return for the fourth outing.
In THE Expend4bles, Stallone and Statham are once again the core duo. They're joined by a variety of returning compatriots and new recruits such as Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, and 50 Cent.
Given the extended roster of the previous three movies, and time it took for the fourth movie to go into production, you may have questions about Expend4bles. So here we are to show you the first trailer for the movie and tell you everything else you need to know about THE Expend4bles.
When Does The Expend4bles Come Out?
Lionsgate will release Expend4bles in movie theatres on September 22.
Watch the Expend4bles Trailer
This trailer for THE Expend4bles gives us pretty much everything we need to see right now, namely introductions to the new characters and Sylverster Stallone throwing a guy over a bar. Yep, it's the Expendables!
Is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Expend4bles?
Arnie is not in Expend4bles. After making a cameo in the first movie, which expanded into slightly bigger roles in the second and third movies, Schwarzenegger did not take part in the new movie. This isn't some source of drama, fortunately. Arnold recalled his conversation with Stallone to Parade, explaining, "I said, ‘You know what, we have done this and I’m out of it.’ And he really understood."
Who Is in Expend4bles?
We've already mentioned Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone, playing mercenaries Lee Christmas and Barney Ross, respectively. In addition, there are some other returning cast members: Dolph Lundgren is back as heavy weapons expert Gunner Jensen, and Randy Couture returns as demolitions specialist Toll Road.
With those four core actors keeping the team together, there are quite a few new additions to the cast as well. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, Jacob Scipio, and Levy Tran are all on board.
Original THE RAID star Iko Uwais plays the lead villain, and another major stuntman and martial arts practitioner, Tony Jaa, has a role as well. Finally, Sheila Shah and strongman Eddie Hall have parts in the movie, too.
Expend4bles Is Directed by a Stunt Veteran
The EXPENDABLES movies have been directed by filmmakers with solid action pedigrees, starting with Stallone himself. The fourth movie is directed by someone with loads of stunt experience, in addition to his action movie directorial chops. Scott Waugh worked as a stunt performer and coordinator on a wide variety of movies from the 1990s to the mid-2000s. Then he transitioned towards directing. He co-directed the surprise hit ACT OF VALOR as well as NEED FOR SPEED and 6 BELOW: MIRACLE ON THE MOUNTAIN.
Will There Be an Expendables 5?
It's too early to say whether or not there will be an EXPENDABLES 5. It's certainly possible! If that does happen, however, expect Lee Christmas to be the lead character on his own. That's because the 76-year old Stallone seems ready to bow out of the series.
Is This Stallone's Final Expendables Movie?
On social media, Sylvester Stallone has said that Expend4bles will be his final outing as Barney Ross. But he has "retired" other characters before only to bring them back to the screen when the opportunity arose. So we can't rule anything out at this point — especially if there ends up being an EXPENDABLES 5.
Expend4bles opens on September 22.
All images courtesy of Lionsgate.