In an electrifying twist of fate, “Expend4bles“
(also recognized as “The Expendables 4”) has emerged as the blockbuster we’ve all been waiting for in 2023. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding ride as this action-packed film marks the fourth installment in The Expendables franchise, following the explosive success of “The Expendables 3” back in 2014.
Get ready for a star-studded ensemble that includes the likes of Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Randy Couture reprising their iconic roles from the previous films. But that’s not all! The adrenaline rush continues with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy García joining this high-octane cast.
Directed by the talented Scott Waugh and fueled by a screenplay crafted by Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, and Max Adams, based on a riveting story by Spenser Cohen, Wimmer, and Daggerhart, “Expend4bles” promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Mark your calendars for September 15, 2023, when “Expend4bles” made its grand debut in China. The heart-pounding action will then hit screens across the United States on September 22, 2023, courtesy of Lionsgate.
In “Expend4bles,” the indomitable Expendables are thrust into a perilous mission in Libya, tasked with preventing the nefarious mercenary Rahmat from snatching up nuclear warheads for the enigmatic Ocelot, a figure that had eluded Barney Ross 25 years ago. The mission takes a disastrous turn when their vehicles are obliterated in a fierce battle, and Barney is seemingly lost in the chaos.
At Barney’s memorial service, the resilient CIA operative Marsh reveals that the team will stop at nothing to pursue Ocelot and Rahmat. But this time, there’s a twist—Lee Christmas, played by Jason Statham, has been replaced by Gina, his former flame, and the addition of the enigmatic Lash adds an unexpected dynamic to the group.
As the Expendables venture to Asia, a shadowy figure from the past resurfaces, and the team must race against time to prevent Ocelot’s cataclysmic plan to trigger World War III by detonating nuclear warheads in the Russian Far East.
The action reaches a fever pitch as they board a ship harboring the deadly cargo, only to be ambushed and taken captive. Marsh is whisked away, igniting a perilous chain of events that could spell doom for the world.
In the midst of chaos, Lee Christmas embarks on a mission of his own, recruiting the former Expendable Decha in Thailand. Together, they launch a daring assault against Rahmat’s forces, leading to a high-stakes showdown that will decide the fate of nations.
But there’s a shocking twist when the true identity of Ocelot is revealed during a tense prisoner exchange. The team’s survival hinges on outsmarting this cunning adversary, and the action reaches its climax in a thrilling escape from imminent nuclear catastrophe.
The stellar cast brings their A-game to the screen:
- Jason Statham shines as Lee Christmas, the team’s knife expert.
- Sylvester Stallone reprises his role as Barney Ross, the indomitable leader of the Expendables.
- Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson joins the crew as Easy Day, a new member.
- Megan Fox takes on the role of Gina, a CIA operator and Christmas’s former flame.
- Dolph Lundgren returns as Gunner Jensen, a volatile member seeking redemption.
- Tony Jaa becomes Decha, a former Expendable.
- Iko Uwais plays the formidable Suarto Rahmat, the film’s main antagonist.
- Randy Couture makes a triumphant comeback, reprising his role as Toll Road, the master of demolitions.
- Jacob Scipio debuts as Galan, a fresh face in the Expendables.
- Levy Tran steps in as Lash, a CIA operator and a new recruit.
- Andy García is enigmatic as Marsh/Ocelot, a CIA agent.
Additionally, Sheila Shah and Eddie Hall make their mark as Mandy and a social media influencer, respectively.
The journey to “Expend4bles” was a rollercoaster of anticipation. Following the hunger for more from fans after “The Expendables 3,” the fate of the series was uncertain. It wasn’t until November 2014 that the project began to take form, with a firm commitment to preserving its R-rating, similar to its predecessors.
Sylvester Stallone declared “Expend4bles” as the series’ grand finale in December 2016, with initial plans to release it in 2018. However, creative differences led to Stallone’s temporary exit in March 2017. It was only after vocal support from cast members, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, that Stallone confirmed his return in January 2018.
Fast forward to August 2020, and “Expend4bles” welcomed Vértice Cine as a production studio alongside Lionsgate and Millennium Films. By November 2020, the project faced delays due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it persevered.
In August 2021, Scott Waugh was named the director, with Jason Statham serving as a producer. Stallone reaffirmed his involvement, and it was revealed that “Expend4bles” was indeed the same project previously rumored as “The Expendables:
Titled “A Christmas Story,” this grand adventure was set in motion with a staggering budget of $100 million. The stage was prepared for an epic journey unlike any other.
The scriptwriting journey saw its share of twists and turns. Gregory Poirier announced his role as screenwriter in July 2018, but it wasn’t until July 2019 that Stallone confirmed he was working on the script. Negotiations with producers continued throughout the year, and in August 2021, Spenser Cohen and Max Adams collaborated on the most recent script draft.
Over the years, speculation ran rampant about potential cast additions, including Pierce Brosnan, Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood, Jackie Chan, and Dwayne Johnson. Hulk Hogan even claimed discussions with Stallone about portraying the main villain.
In June 2020, Jean-Claude Van Damme pitched the idea of reprising his role as Claude Vilain, while Arnold Schwarzenegger hinted at a return if the script met his standards. However, Schwarzenegger confirmed his absence from the franchise in May 2023.
Despite the various rumors, the final cast was announced, featuring both familiar faces and new talents. Kellan Lutz expressed interest in returning for a potential fifth installment, while Terry Crews, who had appeared in all previous films, declined to return due to personal reasons.
Filming for “Expend4bles” kicked off on September 29, 2021, with locations spanning London, Bulgaria, Greece, and more. The Jackie Chan Stunt Team brought the action sequences to life, delivering breathtaking stunts that will leave audiences in awe.
Post-production saw the film rebranded as “Expend4bles” by June 2023. Guillaume Roussel took the reins as the composer for the film’s score, adding an extra layer of intensity to the on-screen spectacle.