Expendables 4: Exciting Future for Sylvester Stallone's Franchise Revealed as Torch Passes to Jason Statham and New Blood!

Summary

The Expendables 4 marks a transition from Sylvester Stallone to Jason Statham as the leading man, with director Scott Waugh describing this change as "exciting."

Despite Stallone's diminished role, he remains integral to the franchise as the founder and original director of The Expendables.

The uncertain future of the franchise stems from the unfavorable reviews and underwhelming performance of The Expendables 4, casting doubts on the likelihood of an Expendables 5.

The Expendables 4 director, Scott Waugh, discusses Sylvester Stallone's role in the franchise. Stallone was a key contributor to the concept and directed/starred in the first movie. He had prominent roles in The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3, but in the fourth installment, he took on a smaller role and allowed Jason Statham to take the lead. Waugh sheds light on Stallone's future in the franchise, describing the transition as "exciting." He acknowledges that Stallone is currently prioritizing his time and emphasizes the importance of this in his life.

I find it thrilling that Stallone is handing over the reins to Statham. Stallone continues to astonish me with his physical prowess, especially considering his age. It's simply mind-boggling. Personally, I'm 53 and feeling a bit worse for wear, while Stallone, in his late seventies, still manages to pull it off. However, I believe Sly has reached a point in his life where time holds immense value. Committing to a full-scale "Expendables" film demands a significant portion of his time, and I wholeheartedly respect that. On the other hand, Jason, who is my age, remains enthusiastic about working extensively. Hence, the torch has been passed naturally. Now, let me be clear, I don't believe for a moment that Sly is exiting the franchise entirely. He will forever be intertwined with "The Expendables" as its creator and original director. So, it's a merging of fresh blood with the old.

What Does The Future Of The Expendables Look Like?

Following the release of its latest movie, Waugh provides a concise description of the current state of the franchise. The Expendables team has undergone a noticeable transformation since its inception in 2010. In the earlier films, Bruce Willis was an integral part of the ensemble, alongside Stallone, Statham, and the rest of the crew. However, as Willis has retired from acting due to his aphasia diagnosis, he does not appear in The Expendables 4. Similarly, other former cast members such as Harrison Ford are also absent. With these changes and the inclusion of Statham, the Expendables 4 cast effectively blends "new blood with the old" by integrating established stars like Stallone with younger talents.

Despite Waugh's confidence, the future of the franchise appears uncertain. The Expendables 4 has received extremely negative reviews, with a mere 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, it failed to meet already low box office expectations, earning only $8.3 million domestically. Given these poor performances, the likelihood of an Expendables 5 seems doubtful. While the series has recovered from critical failure in the past, this downward box office trend may be insurmountable. Producers Kevin King-Templeton and Les Weldon have mentioned the possibility of another sequel if fans show interest, but nothing has been confirmed. Perhaps, instead of focusing on Stallone's involvement, Waugh should question if the franchise will continue at all after The Expendables 4.

Source: Moviefone