775 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

Well, maybe not the absolute bare minimum, but probably pretty close. I mean, I doubt that any of the actors are making much money (by Hollywood standards) out of this, although that said I presume that Statham commands a few mil per film these days, and I doubt that Jet Li's super-cheap either. I'm curious as to how much Stallone is getting as writer/director/star - perhaps not as much as he would have been during his '80s heyday (mind you, even in his '90s straight-to-video days he was apparently pulling in $20 million a movie), but I imagine he'll get a very nice percentage of the gross.

Anyway, a couple of pics from shooting are in and they're pretty darn cool:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40689

[Safari Suit]

I doubt Statham commands all that much, he hasn't really had a "proper" hit yet as a leading man. Films like Transporter and Crank make enough money to merit sequels, but they're pretty cheap films and don't even cross $50mil at the US Box Office. It's actually quite plausible that this will be his biggest hit since The Italian Job (or Collateral anyway, which he was apparently in but I don't remember him in it).

[baerrtt]

I doubt Statham commands all that much, he hasn't really had a "proper" hit yet as a leading man. Films like Transporter and Crank make enough money to merit sequels, but they're pretty cheap films and don't even cross $50mil at the US Box Office. It's actually quite plausible that this will be his biggest hit since The Italian Job (or Collateral anyway, which he was apparently in but I don't remember him in it).

He's there in the beginning where he delivers Cruise's hitman Vincent his 'equipment' on arrival at the airport.

There was fan rumour, for some reason, that Statham's character in Collateral was actually Frank from the Transporter films though that seems unlikely.

I've just been told at work that the director of The Transporter Louis Letterier confirmed that it was indeed Frank Martin Statham was playing in Collateral.

Edited by baerrtt, 09 April 2009 - 12:31 PM.

[Matt_13]

Well, maybe not the absolute bare minimum, but probably pretty close. I mean, I doubt that any of the actors are making much money (by Hollywood standards) out of this, although that said I presume that Statham commands a few mil per film these days, and I doubt that Jet Li's super-cheap either. I'm curious as to how much Stallone is getting as writer/director/star - perhaps not as much as he would have been during his '80s heyday (mind you, even in his '90s straight-to-video days he was apparently pulling in $20 million a movie), but I imagine he'll get a very nice percentage of the gross.

Anyway, a couple of pics from shooting are in and they're pretty darn cool:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40689

This movie is going to be so ridiculous, I can't wait.

[dodge]

Well, maybe not the absolute bare minimum, but probably pretty close. I mean, I doubt that any of the actors are making much money (by Hollywood standards) out of this, although that said I presume that Statham commands a few mil per film these days, and I doubt that Jet Li's super-cheap either. I'm curious as to how much Stallone is getting as writer/director/star - perhaps not as much as he would have been during his '80s heyday (mind you, even in his '90s straight-to-video days he was apparently pulling in $20 million a movie), but I imagine he'll get a very nice percentage of the gross.

Anyway, a couple of pics from shooting are in and they're pretty darn cool:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40689

Awesome pix. Thanks, Loom.

[dinovelvet]

Confirmation here that David Zayas (tv's Dexter and Oz) is playing The Dictator That They're Trying To Take Down

http://screenrant.co...bles-ross-6639/

And yes, Brittany Murphy also on board (!?). Er, sure, ok, the more the merrier, eh? Interestingly she also played Mickey Rourke's girlfriend in the WTF classic "Spun"

[dodge]

For those who love(d) the 80s:

The first on-set pictures from Sly Stallone's old school action movie homage, The Expendables, have appeared online. And, while there isn't too much to get gushy about just yet, they have a promisingly retro look about them - which appears to be in keeping with the film theme - and offer a much wanted insight into one of 2010's most downright awesome-sounding films.

The stills may just be in reference to a much more modern cultural movement than the 80s action flick, as Stallone recently gave a Twitter update that read: "Had to chase a seaplane along a pier and jump inside which was like running headlong into hurricane Katrina." Stallone also gave some info on his latest production, which he wrote and is directing, before shooting began, according to Collider.com.

"It's a 1980s movie with today's technology," Stallone said during the interview. "But in those days, the female leading character was a helpless girl, waiting to be rescued by the hero. Now we have a very strong female character that evolved to this form while I was writing the script. But except for this, yes, it's a 1980s movie."

The Expendables features a veritable smorgasbord of action icons, including (deep breath now) Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Dolph Lundgren. Plus rumoured cameos from 50 Cent and the Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In classic 80s style, The Expendables tells the story of a crack team of mercenaries sent in to take down a South American druglord. Which, as far as plot concepts go, may be simple, but sure sounds effective when combined with a cast like that.

Slash Film

source: http://denofgeek.com...xpendables.html

[Loomis]

If this is truly going to be a 1980s action movie, should we expect an R rating? I'm thinking of action classics from the '80s: DIE HARD, LETHAL WEAPON, PREDATOR, THE TERMINATOR and Sly's own RAMBO and COBRA - all graphically ultraviolent.

There's no need for THE EXPENDABLES to be anything like as extreme as RAMBO (2008), but, equally, it'll seem a bit of a swizz if it's a PG-13.

[Harmsway]

THE EXPENDABLES has to be R-rated. It doesn't have to be an extreme R (I hope it isn't as violent as RAMBO, honestly), but if it doesn't have that mature edge, then why bother?

[dodge]

THE EXPENDABLES has to be R-rated. It doesn't have to be an extreme R (I hope it isn't as violent as RAMBO, honestly), but if it doesn't have that mature edge, then why bother?

Precisely. Let it RRRRRRRRip!

[dinovelvet]

What better way to start your week than with a photo of Eric Roberts flying through the air -

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40753

[Matt_13]

What better way to start your week than with a photo of Eric Roberts flying through the air -

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40753

That.
Is.
Awesome.

[Loomis]

A very curious choice for first official pic. I was hoping for and expecting a team lineup shot of Stallone, Statham, Li and co. looking ripped and mean and toting ludicrously large and phallic guns and knives. Or Sly brawling with Lundgren or Rourke - something like that. Not two jokers recreating a still from HOT SHOTS! PART DEUX.

This photo, though - what message, exactly, is it supposed to send out other than "This is film is going to be incredibly goofy"?

Which it may well be, of course.

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

[Matt_13]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

I know you enjoy Stallone's work very much, Loomis, but didn't you find the OTT aspects of RAMBO goofy in the slightest? In particular the ending where he mounts the machine gun and pretty much kills half of Burma?

[dinovelvet]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

Gotta link?

Anyway I don't think these are 'official' stills, just stuff for the hardcore fans. Perhaps this may be more to your liking, Loomis :

http://ethelmae.file...ballard2461.jpg

[Loomis]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

I know you enjoy Stallone's work very much, Loomis, but didn't you find the OTT aspects of RAMBO goofy in the slightest? In particular the ending where he mounts the machine gun and pretty much kills half of Burma?

Well, the tone of RAMBO (2008) is bleak and downbeat. It's a film that attempts to make serious points about the situation in Burma. It's not just a "fun" action movie, indeed the fun rather gets lost in all the doom and gloom and genocide. Besides, I don't really find any of the action OTT, certainly not in comparison to, say, the glacier surfing in DIE ANOTHER DAY or the freefall in QUANTUM OF SOLACE. Plus, whenever someone gets killed in RAMBO, there's an awful lot of realistic pain and gore. So, no, I don't consider RAMBO a goofy film.

For me, a goofy action film would be something in which people make quips during explosions and gunfights and no one ever seems to die (a la THE A-TEAM), or if they do die you never see any blood. For all I know, THE EXPENDABLES may be that film (which isn't to say that it can't also be entertaining).

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

Gotta link?

No. I was reading - or rather skimming - the current AICN Talkback on THE EXPENDABLES, and quite a few people seem convinced that it's going to be PG-13.

Anyway I don't think these are 'official' stills, just stuff for the hardcore fans. Perhaps this may be more to your liking, Loomis :

http://ethelmae.file...ballard2461.jpg

Ah, yes, now we're talking.

[dodge]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

Gotta link?

Anyway I don't think these are 'official' stills, just stuff for the hardcore fans. Perhaps this may be more to your liking, Loomis :

http://ethelmae.file...ballard2461.jpg

Great shot. And I don't care in the slightest if Eric and Stone are holding hands--which they're not. We'll get a group shot of our ripped heroes and villains yet. And hopefully some footage.

[Safari Suit]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

Gotta link?

No. I was reading - or rather skimming - the current AICN Talkback on THE EXPENDABLES, and quite a few people seem convinced that it's going to be PG-13.

If that's all you're going on I would just (for now) put that down to typical AICN Talkbacker industry cynicism and paranoia. In theory of course a PG-13 Rating could open up the audience range to allow Expendables to be a proper summer blockbuster, but in all likelyhood relatively little of the interest in this film is coming from the 13-16 croud. So far it's been riding a wave of support from people who will very much care about whether this recieves an R or a PG-13 rating, and feel massively let down if it's the latter. Not that this kind of internet hype gaurantees any real degree of commercial success you understand. See; Plane, Snakes on A

[Loomis]

BTW, the word now seems to be that THE EXPENDABLES will be PG-13.

Gotta link?

No. I was reading - or rather skimming - the current AICN Talkback on THE EXPENDABLES, and quite a few people seem convinced that it's going to be PG-13.

If that's all you're going on I would just (for now) put that down to typical AICN Talkbacker industry cynicism and paranoia.

You're probably right.

And, personally, I don't really care about the rating. Even with a PG-13 (which supposedly confers wuss status on a movie, although I've noticed some very nasty stuff in PG-13 flicks), there's still scope for good, exciting action. I don't care how graphically violent THE EXPENDABLES is - what I care about is how good a film it is.

[Matt_13]

http://www.collider....id/11559/tcid/1

Statham and Sly.

[JimmyBond]

And, personally, I don't really care about the rating. Even with a PG-13 (which supposedly confers wuss status on a movie, although I've noticed some very nasty stuff in PG-13 flicks), there's still scope for good, exciting action. I don't care how graphically violent THE EXPENDABLES is - what I care about is how good a film it is.

Don't forget that Taken was rated PG-13 and that movie was pretty violent, and brutal.

[dinovelvet]

I guess this is the official Expendables production blog with some pics and description of action scenes etc :

http://ethelmae.wordpress.com/

[dodge]

I guess this is the official Expendables production blog with some pics and description of action scenes etc :

http://ethelmae.wordpress.com/

Thanks, dino. The Running Sly shot with his greatest Rocky face is the money shot, for me. He's got another franchise here, maybe his biggest and best.

Btw, I see that kick-boxing champ/actor Gary Daniels is said to be on board. Looks like Sly has serious butt-whipping scenes in store for us.

[Safari Suit]

Gary Daniels? I think this will be the first time a film featuring him will see the inside of cinemas in a decade and a half!

[dinovelvet]

I guess this is the official Expendables production blog with some pics and description of action scenes etc :

http://ethelmae.wordpress.com/

He's got another franchise here, maybe his biggest and best.

I hadn't even thought about that. Presumably we'll be getting THE EXPENDABLES II (yes, complete with retro 80s roman numeral) if the first one is a hit, and then maybe some of the people who snubbed the project the first time round will want in - Van Damme, Russell, etc.

The Running Sly shot with his greatest Rocky face is the money shot, for me.

That scene better be in glorious slo-mo in the film!

PS This Gary Daniels bloke appears to bear a resemblance to Daniel Craig!

[dodge]

Gary Daniels? I think this will be the first time a film featuring him will see the inside of cinemas in a decade and a half!

LOL. But, true to form, Sly is filling the roster with dreams of second chances. Even Brittany Murphy has been referred to as a has-been. Whether this tack will work or not remains to be seen, but the idea is brilliant.

[dinovelvet]

Dolph speaks! Rocky IV rematch?!?!

http://www.joblo.com...ex.php?id=26121

[dodge]

Dolph speaks! Rocky IV rematch?!?!

http://www.joblo.com...ex.php?id=26121

Thanks, dino. This is encouraging...as is the report that Sly has also signed on a couple of South American mixed martial arts experts.

[Loomis]

The thought of Sly and Dolph slugging it out again really gets me going. Who needs BOND BLOODY 23 when we've got THE EXPENDABLES?

[dodge]

Are there any recent pix of Lundgren? Anybody know if he's kept in shape like the rest of the Old Boys?