There is hardly news on the upcoming action ensemble movie “The Expendables 4” on the internet these days which do not actually surprise many film critics.
It can be recalled that just before its predecessor movie, “The Expendables 3” came out in cinemas in 2014, a pirated copy of the film was already released online, that has dampened the box office potential of the action blockbuster.
While it still earned money at the box office, it was way below than the performance of the first two movies, which was really a downer for the producers and also the cast of characters led by Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
There were previous reports stating that filming for the movie will start in the fall of 2016 in China and it seems that one of the main reasons why there is hardly news or even rumors on the production of “The Expendables 4” is because it is being done in Mainland China.
That’s in addition to the fact that following the debacle of “The Expendables 3,” the producers and the cast have mutually agreed to keep everything under wraps and allow no spoilers or leaks or even behind-the-set photos to come out online or elsewhere to ensure that there will be no pirated version of the movie to come out ahead of its showing on theaters.
Arriving in theaters next year
What seems confirm is that “The Expendables 4” is going to hit theaters in 2017. As to when exactly, perhaps it would be known once filming is complete and the movie goes into its promotion phase.
The previous reports are also consistent in saying that a Chinese entity is bankrolling the production of the movie.
Apparently, Nu Image and Millennium Films have struck a deal with China that also includes the thriller “Security.”
Both “Security” and “The Expendables 4” will likely use China for on-location shooting, with scenes taking place in the country. But China is not expected to be such a big part of either movie’s narrative that they can be outrightly called Chinese co-productions, details Movieweb.
With three films and counting, “The Expendables” franchise has become one of the most successful independent productions to flourish in the Chinese market.
“The Expendables 3” only made $39.2 million in the US when it was released in 2014, with many believing a leak of the film prior to its official release caused the film to tank domestically. In China, it was a hit, pulling in $78 million at the box office.
An unlikely and absurd rumor
There were also rumors saying that Sylvester Stallone shall no longer be part of “The Expendables 4,” which seems unlikely since the franchise is Sly’s baby and it is almost next to impossible that the films would roll without him on it.
It was actually actor Terry Crews who hinted in an interview that Stallone would be willing to take a backseat in “The Expendables 4” after he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor both in the Golden Globes and in the Oscars for his acting in the “Rocky” spinoff film, “Creed.”
Crews said that he would be willing to accept whatever the decision of Stallone is including easing himself out of the movie if that is the wishes of the “Rambo” actor.
He also cited that Stallone was quite amazing as an actor in “Creed” because he showed his depth so he would not be surprised if the “Rocky” actor opts to do more of such movies than focus on action films.
Terry Crews added that Stallone is actually a lot deeper as an actor than people always give him credit for, notes Yibada.
As if to debunk rumors that he will not be part of the fourth movie of the action ensemble film franchise, “The Expendables,” Sylvester Stallone recently came out to confirm previous reports that “The Expendables 4” shall have an R rating.