Tom Jolliffe looks at what we can expect from the third instalment of The Expendables franchise….
With filming set to start in the fall, Slyvester Stallone – true to form – is keeping everyone guessing and second guessing as to who will be in The Expendables 3, and where the story may take us. When the first film was announced with an initial cast of Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li, the rumour mill went into overdrive. Names were bandied around. Dolph Lundgren got on board, then the rest of the cast. Apparently Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal were approached and turned it down. When the first film had barely hit theatres, we were already hearing rumours of who would, or should, be in the sequel. Likewise before the dust had barely settled on the second instalment we were hearing about the third.
So with not long before cameras roll what do we know for certain? It would seem that the main crew will all return. Sly, Statham, Lundgren, Li, Randy Couture and Terry Crews will all be back. We can also be fairly certain that Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger will return. Arnold has confirmed himself to back up Sly’s claims, and will be more prominent. Mickey Rourke is set to return too. We also know that the director’s chair will be taken be relative rookie, Patrick Hughes. His major work thus far, a highly rated modern western called Red Hill. It’s a brave and interesting choice indeed on Sly’s part to give the gig to someone yet to cut their teeth in Hollywood, let alone big budget film-making. Cynics may argue that he’ll be a yes man, brought in to simply cover the workload, whilst handing over creative control completely to Sly. That may do a disservice to both Hughes and indeed Stallone though. Hopefully he’ll add an energy and subtlety that is perhaps beyond Simon West.
What else has been suggested? Well the story could take place partly in China. Asian locations were apparently suggested at one point, though it seems as of now, the film will be shot entirely in Bulgaria. That wouldn’t necessarily nix the China element, and that could bring Li’s character and the rumoured inclusion of Jackie Chan into play. There’s also a possibility that the story could follow a similar arc to The Raid, which could be interesting. Who will play an important part? Of the returnees, Stallone recently hinted that Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren) may have a more substantial role. As arguably the most interesting character of the Expendables crew, particularly in the first film, this would be good. He’s unbalanced and could easily be seen switching sides again. Lundgren is always better playing an antagonist and is certainly worthy of more screen time.
As for new cast members, well as per the previous films, this is what most of the rumours flying around relate to. Sly’s regular Twitter offerings are a constant source of delight, raised eyebrows, doubts, and many pinches of salt. He partly teases, and partly gets slightly ahead of himself based on a conversation. One week Seagal says no. A month later and Stallone announces he’s off to meet Seagal. Stallone says Nicolas Cage is in, then Nicolas Cage says that he’s not. On it goes. It would seem that Wesley Snipes is a done deal. The promise of Wesley delivering another villain of Simon Phoenix’s ilk would be good. Now we have “confirmation” too that Mel Gibson will be the head villain, and further hints that Gibson and Stallone will fight toe-to-toe. Rumours recently also circulated in Bulgaria that Stallone would be fighting alongside Seagal to take on Gibson.
A potentially great on screen match up could be Wesley Snipes and Jason Statham. Their fighting styles would complement each other and look great on celluloid. The potential for Jackie Chan to bring a charismatic and lighter side to the Expendables is also great. He’s extremely likeable and could naturally lift the scenes he’s in whilst being able to adeptly deliver physical comedy without needed to rely on some of Sly’s tired humour (which clogged the first two somewhat). Again though, from Chan’s mouth his inclusion doesn’t seem to be the done deal that Stallone suggests. As for Seagal, a key issue will be whether he can resolve the issues he has with Avi Lerner, the film’s producer and head of Millennium films. They had a well-publicised court case around 10 years ago involving Seagal’s conduct on set, and breach of contract. There may be too much bad blood for his inclusion to be become a reality, whilst his ego may also stand in the way of playing second fiddle to a lot of his contemporaries. Seagal’s involvement, if ever coming to pass, would be akin to Chuck Norris’ in the last film.
So aside from the names mentioned above other names, either from Stallone’s mouth, or themselves, the names which have been mentioned in the last year are (in the order I can remember off the top of my head): Milla Jovovich, Kellan Lutz, Jean Claude Van Damme (as a twin, but this was probably a joke on Sly’s part), Antonio Banderas, Ronda Rusey, Gina Carano, Victor Ortiz, cast members of The Raid, Tom Sizemore and Vinnie Jones. Even Clint Eastwood has been mentioned but he’s distanced himself. Logic would dictate that surely all these names couldn’t possibly fit into the movie. We must also assume at some point that some of the more expendable Expendables will begin to be culled. Will some of these newbies, just as Liam Hemsworth was, be brought in just to die?
The most important thing for this third movie will be the screenplay. All these characters need to fit. Everyone needs their chance to shine. Too much screen time was wasted in the first two with pointless scenes, tired humour and rote dialogue. Villains have been wasted. Jean Claude Van Damme was decent in the second movie but for anyone who saw him in JCVD acting his backside off, the failed potential for his leading villain in a huge blockbuster was all too evident. Likewise relative action newbie Scott Adkins found himself disappointingly handled, particularly in a fight with Jason Statham, which should have been show stopping but wasn’t given the respect, nor time that it deserved.
The Expendables 3 has to be handled better. We don’t just want something passable, we want something to feel as badass and manly as the opening half of Predator. Those guys all stand out. That is what an Expendables unit needs to be like. Screen time is well used, and as tough as nails as they are, they’re not invincible. Randy Couture was a glorified extra in the last film, whilst Terry Crews comic potential is persistently wasted. In some cases we get teased with interesting characters, like Jensen in the first film, but then don’t get enough screen time dedicated. These films are odes to great 80s action films, but they have yet to come close to the same level of delivery. What plagued the first two films won’t be forgiven a third time. If they get it right, the series continues. If they get it wrong, then it ends on the third. Most importantly I feel is that Sly, as the head of the group needs to make Barney Ross more interesting. He doesn’t stand out – even taking Rocky and Rambo out of the equation, Ross wouldn’t be Stallone’s most interesting character. I actually felt he was better in Bullet to the Head as Jimmy Bobo.
So, until the cameras start to roll and the ink is dry on all participants’ contracts, the guessing game continues. The taking of more pinches of salt with Sly’s suggestions will also continue…
What would you like to see from The Expendables 3? Let us know in the comments below…
Tom Jolliffe
