Sylvester Stallone's Surprising Expendables 4 Role: Producer Breaks Silence!
Sylvester Stallone's reduced role in The Expendables 4 receives support from the producer, adding an exciting twist to the story
Summary
The producer defends Sylvester Stallone's reduced role in Expendables 4, claiming it was a creative choice that added a unique twist to the story.
Stallone's limited appearance in the film was determined by the script and storyline rather than an intentional attempt to pass on the torch or exclude him from future sequels.
The film's unfavorable reception and lackluster commercial success can be partly attributed to Stallone's diminished contribution to the writing and on-screen portrayal.
Expendables 4 producer Les Weldon defends Sylvester Stallone's diminished presence in the latest installment. The film series, which began in 2010, follows a team of top-notch mercenaries on covert and perilous missions. The movies boast an impressive ensemble cast, including action stars like Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Stallone, who plays the lead role. Stallone returned for the fourth time but with significantly less screen time.
In an interview with JoBlo, Weldon explains that Stallone's reduced role was a deliberate choice based on the script and storyline. The producer defends this decision, believing it added an interesting twist to the narrative and ultimately enhanced the movie. Read his complete statement below:
“Look, it wasn’t so much that we said, oh, we got to pass the torch here, because, you know, we were thinking what is a good story for here? And we say passing of the torch, but that doesn’t mean, you know, that that’s forever the direction we’re going. It just happened to be the best story we had all put together that we had all thought about, and even though there is that element in there, it was a function of the script and the story. We didn’t want to make a mistake of, well, bring in this actor or bring in that actor and try to jam them in here. This story came out organically, and Sly was all up for it, and it gives a good twist to the story and was just something that felt very organic and natural for this Expendables.”
Sylvester Stallone’s Role In The Expendables 4, Explained
: We didn't necessarily feel the need to pass the torch, as our main focus was on creating a compelling story. The concept of passing the torch emerged as the best narrative that all of us had conceived and developed. While it does play a part in the screenplay and storyline, it was primarily driven by the script and story's requirements. We were cautious about avoiding any haphazard inclusion of actors just for the sake of it. The story evolved organically, and Sylvester Stallone fully embraced it, leading to an intriguing twist that perfectly complemented the overall narrative of the Expendables.
Sylvester Stallone has been a prominent figure in the Expendables franchise from its inception, taking on roles both in front of and behind the camera. Not only did he portray the main character, Barney Ross, in the first three films, but he also played a crucial role in co-writing them alongside talented writers like David Callaham, Richard Wenk, and Katrin Benedikt. However, in a departure from the previous installments, Stallone did not participate in the writing process for The Expendables 4, resulting in significantly less screen time for the 77-year-old actor.
In the film, a new team is assembled, consisting of 50 Cent, Megan Fox, and Andy Garcia. Surprisingly, Stallone's character dies early on, shifting the focus to Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) as the main character. However, in a surprising twist, Stallone's character reappears at the end of Expendables 4, revealing that his death was a deception to outsmart the cunning villain.
Since its release in September, Expendables 4 has received unfavorable reviews. The movie has a dismal 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics and audiences alike criticizing the uninspiring action sequences and poor CGI effects. This negative reception has also affected the film's commercial success, as it has only grossed $42 million worldwide, falling short of its $100 million budget even several weeks after its release. While there are multiple issues contributing to Expendables 4's shortcomings, Stallone's absence is undeniably a significant factor.
Source: JoBlo
