Sylvester Stallone's Epic Transformation in Expendables 4: A Must-See Surprise!

Warning: The article contains major spoilers for The Expendables 4.

Summary

Jason Statham expresses his disappointment with Sylvester Stallone's diminished involvement in The Expendables 4, highlighting that the most enjoyable times on set occur when Stallone is around. Although Stallone's character still holds significance in the movie, his physical absence diminishes the overall impact, given his longstanding presence as a key figure in the franchise.

Sylvester Stallone's reduced involvement in The Expendables 4 was likely a result of his temporary departure from production due to creative differences. The franchise's future may now be in jeopardy due to the movie's low Rotten Tomatoes score. Meanwhile, Jason Statham expressed dissatisfaction with the smaller role given to Stallone, who had previously served as the director, screenwriter, and main actor since the franchise's inception in 2010. The Expendables series follows a team of mercenaries on world-spanning missions with global consequences. While Stallone has always played a significant role in each installment, the latest sequel showcases Statham in a more prominent position.

Statham candidly expresses his nostalgia for the times when Stallone played a more active role in The Expendables franchise during an interview with Cinema Express. Although he does not delve into the reasons behind Stallone's absence, Statham highlights that the actor remains an integral part of the cast for The Expendables 4. According to Statham, having Stallone on set creates a special atmosphere that cannot be replicated when he is not present. Here is Statham's quote:

"In this particular story, he is absent for reasons we don't discuss, so we must navigate the challenges without him. However, there is an undeniable void when he is not around. Despite our best efforts, the true magic of our days on set can only be experienced when he is there with us."

Sylvester Stallone Deserves A Bigger Role In Expendables 4

While Stallone's Barney Ross still plays an important role in the ending of The Expendables 4, he is no longer the main character as he was in previous movies. After faking his own death, the responsibility of leading the movie falls on Statham's Lee Christmas. Although Barney's influence is felt throughout the entire film, his absence does not have the same impact as it did in earlier installments.

It is jarring to have an Expendables movie without Stallone in a major role. He was not only the director and writer of the first film, but also the leading man who has been driving the franchise forward. Stallone and this franchise have become synonymous with each other, but his reduced role was inevitable. The iconic action star stepped back from the production due to creative differences, and while he later returned, it is possible that his limited screen time was a result of being away during the development stage.

Unfortunately, the Expendables 4's shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes score, currently at just 16 percent, may lead to the downfall of the franchise if it negatively affects its performance at the box office. Critics have harshly criticized the subpar CGI, clumsy editing, lack of originality, and unsatisfying storytelling. Considering the negative reviews and projected box office results, it is possible that The Expendables 4 may mark the end of the series, which Jason Statham would have preferred to avoid had Sylvester Stallone been more involved.