CAST EM': Expendables 3

It looks like it might be too late to squeeze anymore additions to the testosterone fueled cast of Expendables 2 cast as the film is wrapping up production in New Orleans. Between the two films it's beyond stunning that Sly has been able to this amount of action stars into each of the films. Of course for Expendables 3 we'll end up getting guys like Steven Seagal, Donnie Yen and others. However, I do have have some suggestions for the third installment if it ever gets made. My rundown includes some well known faces along with some new ones.

SEAN BEAN: Patriot Games, Goldeneye, Ronin, LOTR: Fellowship of The Ring, Troy, The Island, Outlaw, Game of Thrones, Age of Heroes and 16 TV movies playing the iconic character Sharpe.

Sean Bean has been kicking around for a long time and his extensive work playing Major Sharpe in sixteen films should make him the ultimate British badass alone. He plays great villains and equally threatening heroes. I would personally like him to reprise his Irish accent from Patriot Games. 

NICOLAS CAGE: Face-Off, The Rock, 8mm, Con Air, Lord of War, Bangkok Dangerous, Bad Lieutenant, Kick-Ass, Season of The Witch, Drive Angry, Trespass and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Cage had been rumored as been given an offer to join the sequel but nothing came of it. I feel if the Expendables clubhouse is in New Orleans, Cage (who lives there) needs to at least have a cameo in future films. Nic is outrageous in pretty much everything he does and it would awesome to see him play a coked out villain.

DANNY TREJO: Marked For Death, Desperado, Heat, From Dusk Till Dawn 1-3, Anaconda, Con Air, The Replacement Killers, Reindeer Games, Once Upon A Time In Mexico, Devil's Rejects, Halloween, Machete, Predators and Sons of Anarchy.

Danny Trejo is a workhorse. He grinds out so many projects I think he forgets he's even in some of them. The gruff voiced Trejo is one of the greatest supporting actors in the genre. Danny was originally set to play the General in the first film but had to drop out. I wouldn't mind seeing him mow down a ton of  soldiers with a machine gun and machete.

DWAYNE JOHNSON: The Rundown, Scorpion King, Be Cool, Doom, Southland Tales, The Other Guys, Faster, Fast Five, Fast Six and G.I. Joe 2.

Johnson officially broke-out as an action star when headlined Scorpion King and The Rundown. In the latter film he got an approval of sorts from Schwarzenegger who cameoed in the film. That success was put on pause when started making family friendly films knocking down his credibility. He recently shook this off when he came back with roles in Faster, Fast Six and the G.I. Joe reboot. Michael Bay is pursuing him for his next film and could join Expendables 2 star Liam Hemsworth in a heist project. Dwayne has been vocal on Twitter about wanting to join the franchise.

KARL URBAN: Hercules, Xena, LOTR: Two Towers/Return of The King, Chronicles of Riddick, Bourne Supremacy, Doom, Pathfinder, Star Trek 1-2, Red 1-2, Dredd and Riddick III: Dead Man Stalking.

The Kiwi actor has been invading American screens since his early career on the adventure series Hercules and Xena. Karl would later have a string of solid efforts that would lead him to co-star with Expendable Bruce Willis in Red. He seems happy to jump on any action project that will give him exposure.

JASON MOMA: Stargate: Atlantis, Game of Thrones, Conan The Barbarian and Bullet To The Head.

Jason Moma had been a fan favorite of the Stargate franchise. That show led him landing roles as the new Conan (usurping Schwarzenegger) and getting a rather large part in Game of Thrones. He recently starred alongside Stallone in the comic book film Bullet To The Head, playing the film's villain.

GINA CARANO: Haywire.

Gina Carano is an MMA fighter turned actress who stars in Steven Soderbergh's spy thriller Haywire. While I haven't seen it to judge her acting abilities but from the clips and trailers she looks more convincing than any other actress before her. When you watch her handle weapons and kick-ass it looks like second nature to Gina. Instead of someone like Angelina Jolie who looks more delicate than a crystal vase and is unrealistic she'd ever throw a punch.

Sly And Arnie Could Team Up Again For The Tomb

AICN reports that the Sly Stallone prison thriller The Tomb could be getting another legendary action star added to it's cast. They say that Arnold Schwarzenegger is circling another role in the movie as well. The two recently worked together on Expendables 2 and Arnold is currently wrapping production on The Last Stand. Stallone will play a high-tech prison designer who is framed and put into a prison he helped create. He tries to escape using his knowledge of the facility and figure out why he was framed. Arnold's role isn't revealed but I assume he could playing a fellow inmate.

Deadline reports that director Mikael Hafstrom is interested in helming the film. Hafstrom is best known for directing The Rite and 1408. Originally the project was set to star Bruce Willis with director Antonie Fuqua (Training Day).

Expendables 2 Poster Confirms It's Going To Be Awesome

Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted this first image from the set of Expendables 2. Which shows Arnold alongside Stallone and Bruce Willis. I'm beyond excited for this action star filled epic in the making.

Scott Adkins Joins Expendables 2

Yet another rising action star has joined the adrenaline fueled Expendables 2. MovieHole reports that British up and coming martial artist Scott Adkins will play Jean-Claude Van Damme's henchman. Adkins and Van Damme have previously worked together on The Shepard, Assassin Games and the upcoming Universal Soldier: A New Dimension. Scott has appeared as a badass fighter in films like The Tournament, Unleashed (Danny The Dog) along with the body/stunt double for Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He's also reasonable for creating a beast of a character with Undisputed 2 & 3's Yuri Boyka. I really hope this role ends up helping out Scott breakout into mainstream Hollywood projects.

Currently the sequel's impressive cast includes Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games). It's set for an August 17th 2012 release date with it's production starting up very soon.

Liam Hemsworth Joins Expendables 2

ShowBlitz has word that Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games) has just signed on for Expendables 2. The Australian actor is the younger brother of Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn) and is becoming a rising star in Hollywood. Stallone had previously stated the sequel would be looking at a new blood for a Navy Seal role. "We also need some new blood in there, a Navy Seal-type, because with the Expendables none of them have 20-20 vision anymore. They need some help, man.” 

Stallone Confirms JCVD & Chuck Norris For Expendables 2

EW talked with Sly Stallone, who is about to start production on The Expendables 2. He confirmed previous rumors that Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris will have roles in the film. Sly also added that he'd love to see John Travolta, Nicolas Cage and Michael Biehn take roles if they're weren't too busy. I'd love to see Biehn join the cast considering his badass roles in films like Terminator, Aliens, Abyss, Tombstone, The Rock and Planet Terror.




It was recently announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis would be joining the film reprising their roles established in the first installment. They join returners Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Mickey Rourke. Simon West is handling directing duties this time around and I'm hoping Sly will also be actively involved with the creative sides of things.

Schwarzenegger Officially Playing Trench Mauser In Expendables 2

Deadline reports that a deal has been made for both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis to take on rather large roles in Expendables 2. The two had cameos in the first film which seemed to give a tease of what could happen down the line. Arnold's character was named Trench Mauser and seemed to be a good friend Stallone's character it's unknown which side he'll take in the film. On the other hand there has been no secret of the intentions of Willis' Church who will be in villain of the action epic. Jean-Claude Van Damme had also been linked for a villain role but it has yet to be official. The returning cast includes Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews and Jet Li.

Simon West Will Direct Expendables 2

Deadline reports that Simon West will direct Expendables 2. There isn't word if they have a script finished but at least we now have confirmation Stallone won't be directing this time around. There has also been confirmation of sorts that Bruce Willis and Jean-Claude Van Damme will play villains in the film.

Simon's previous films Mechanic, Con Air and The General's Daughter are decent action efforts so he seems like the right director for the job. It will be interesting to see what happens with Red Sonja as West was attached to direct that film as well. Considering Red Sonja is likely to go next before Conan 2 goes into production.

RUMOR: Jean-Claude Van Damme A Villain In Expendables 2?

MovieWeb is reporting that along with JCVD being confirmed for Expendables 2 which broke a few months back. He will be playing a villain likely working with Bruce Willis' Church. MovieWeb is not my favorite site to source as they've posted nothing but false stories and gossip lately. Yet it's apparently coming from the director that broke the news Jean-Claude was confirmed for the sequel.

Thomas Janes Joins Stallone In Headshot

JoBlo is reporting that Thomas Jane (Punisher, The Mist) will be joining the comic book film Headshot. Jane will play will play a NYPD cop who has to team up with a hitman (Stallone). Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hours, Red Heat, Last Man Standing) has come in to do script re-writes and to direct, replacing Wayne Kramer who recently walked. Hill has decent record as a writer as well contributing to Aliens and Alien 3.

Release Date For Expendables 2 In 2012

It looks like Lionsgate is moving forward with Expendables 2 as the studio has announced the release date of August 17th 2012. Sly Stallone has come out to say he won't be directing the film but a script is underway written by David Agosto and Ken Kaufman. Bruce Willis' Church has been mentioned as returning as the film's main villain along with a possible larger role for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also talk of Jean-Claude Van Damme coming in after turning down the first film. It's unknown who will be returning but it's expected the main lineup will be back. Currently there isn't an official director or start date in place.

Sly Stallone Starring In Headshot

HollywoodReporter says that Stallone will star as a hitman in Wayne Kramer's (Cooler, Running Scared) Headshot. It doesn't look like Expendables 2 is ready to go just yet as production on Headshot starts in May. Kramer had been set to direct Kane & Lynch which stars Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx but has since dropped out.

JCVD Likely To Join Expendables 2 & Steven Segal Will Not?

MovieHole picked up some quotes from writer/director Sheldon Lettich (Double Impact) who is still friends with Jean-Claude Van Damme and is working on Double Impact 2 with him. He  mentions the action star is leaning towards making Expendables 2. Jean-Claude famously turned down a role in the first film and has since regretted his decision. He also says that the involvement of Steven Segal could be an issue for Expendables producer Avi Lerner who has a bad history with Segal.

“JC seems to be leaning towards appearing in the sequel, as far as I know. If Steven Seagal is not in the sequel, from what I’ve heard it won’t be because of Sly but because of producer Avi Lerner, who had a few bad experiences with Steven.”


While Jean-Claude's last decent film that was playing in theaters was 1996's Maximum Risk. He's been able to make some decent films such as the dramatic turn in JCVD and solid return to action with Universal Solider: Regeneration. I believe like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Van Damme has a limited amount of action roles left in him and Expendables 2 could be a great end to his career in the genre.

Schwarzenegger & Tom Arnold Teaming Up For Expendables 2?

Tom Arnold was talking up a new film with former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Howard Stern yesterday. He didn't name the project but does admit the roles are similar to the ones they had in True Lies. While Tom previously mentioned a sequel to True Lies months back which seems unlikely. I believe it very well could be Expendables 2 and it makes sense. Arnold is expected to return to acting and his cameo in Expendables led many to think it was foreshadowing him returning for larger role in the sequel.

Bruce Willis will play the film's main villain and Charlie Sheen is rumored for a role. Sly is also rumored to be in talks with Jean Claude Van Damme who turned down a role in first film. I expect the next film is going to be bigger, louder and feature more body counts (if that's even possible).

Charlie Sheen Joining Expendables 2?

It seems that it doesn't matter how terrible you are in your personal life there is a role for you in Expendables 2. Charlie Sheen is rumored to be in mind for ”a washed-up-but-useful CIA type” role. Bruce Willis is of course in talks for the villain and Arnold Schwarzenegger is likely to have a bigger role too. I wouldn't doubt seeing Mel Gibson joining too since he seems desperate enough after getting bumped from Hangover 2.

Stallone Teases Willis Could Be Villain In Expendables 2

Sly has finally joined the world of Twitter and has suggested that Bruce Willis could be a super villain in Expendables 2. Let's just pray that Arnold Schwarzenegger is also on board for the ride.

Rambo 5 Moving Forward Without Sly?

Sly Stallone recently told Empire that he was finished with Rambo and would never return. I was slightly disappointed yet also relieved because the last film accomplished enough. Now there is a big commotion over the fact Nu Image/Millennium Films is still promoting Rambo 5 at Cannes. The promo cards found by SlashFilm obviously have Sly on the front and the release date of 2011 on the back. Stallone chimed in with AICN and said he has nothing to do with the project. The expectation is that the studio will recast or even reboot the franchise. The studio is already rebooting Conan which was the iconic role of Arnold Schwarzenegger, so it's not unbelievable. I'm curious how the two sides are working this out. Considering, Sly also worked with them for his new film The Expendables which I assume will lead to at least one sequel. Hopefully with Stallone teaming up with Willis and Schwarzenegger. I can understand why Sly wants move aside from Rambo but I'm open for more films as long as the quality is still there.