The Expendables had been a fairly profitable series until the fourth movie came out (Expend4bles) back in September 2023. This movie was a complete box office bomb by any measure. The type of bomb that shook Hollywood and started a chorus of “experts” all claiming that the days of action-hero movies were dead.
To be fair, a lot of people thought that the first 3 movies in the series would have also been bombs but surprisingly they weren’t. Movie #4 did live up to that billing, however. To give you some numbers, Expendables 4 grossed a pathetic $16.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $34.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $51 million. That’s on a movie with a $100 million budget with a huge cast of household names.
The reviews weren’t any better with a 13% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s hard to think that a flop of this magnitude could even be possible with the cast of A-Listers they had on board.
After that disaster most reasonable people would figure that the series was dead, but that might not be the case. There are rumors that Sylvester Stalone is actively working on Expendables 5 and comments from Dolph Lundgren and other actors seem to be backing this up.
There are even rumors that the fifth installation will be a 2-part release. The first part of the movie would be slated to come out sometime in 2025, with the second being pushed all the way back to 2027. Based on how poorly Expend4ables did, it’s hard to think there is public appetite for a single follow-up, let alone two follow-up movies.
Maybe in the 5th movie(s) we will see Jason Statham leading the charge and Sylvester Stallone taking a back seat or stepping aside completely. Maybe Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture take the lead. Who knows what direction they could be taken. The real question is whether or not Lionsgate will want to keep dumping movie on a series that seems to have already lived out its life in a market that isn’t very friendly to big budget movies.
Key Takeaways
- The Expendables 5 is not officially confirmed, but being “worked on”.
- Jason Statham may take the lead role from Sylvester Stallone.
- The failure of the fourth movie could influence the decision.
Expendables 5: What We Know
The release date for “The Expendables 5” is yet to be officially announced and there’s no guarantee the movie is being made. The fourth film in the series, “Expend4bles,” premiered on September 22, 2023 and was a huge flop by any measure. There’s a rumor that “The Expendables 5” could come out as soon as 2025 with another rumor pointing to it being a 2-part release.
Expendables Future: A Fifth Film?
Current Status
“The Expendables 4” hit theaters in 2023, marking Sylvester Stallone’s last outing as Barney Ross. While not officially confirmed, discussions about a fifth film have surfaced. Producers have expressed interest in continuing the franchise, potentially with Jason Statham’s character, Lee Christmas, taking the lead.
Possible Directions
- New Lead: Jason Statham could become the new face of the franchise, leading a fresh team of mercenaries.
- Legacy Characters: Familiar faces like Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture could return alongside new recruits.
- Soft Reboot: The series could introduce a new generation of Expendables, potentially passing the torch to younger actors.
Speculation and Rumors
| Source | Information |
|---|---|
| IMDb | Lists two parts for “The Expendables 5,” scheduled for 2025 and 2027. |
| World of Reel | Reported that Sylvester Stallone is working on a fifth film. |
| Screen Rant | Confirmed discussions about the franchise continuing beyond the fourth film. |
The future of “The Expendables” franchise remains uncertain. While no official announcements have been made regarding a fifth film, discussions and rumors suggest that the series may not be over yet. Fans will have to wait and see whether a new installment is officially greenlit and what direction it might take.
Projected Cast and Crew (Speculation)
- Sylvester Stallone: Expected to return as Barney Ross.
- Jason Statham: Likely to reprise his role as Lee Christmas.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Possible return but not confirmed.
- 50 Cent: Could be among the new additions if the project moves forward.
- Megan Fox: Another name that might return.
Possible Directors and Producers
- Scott Waugh: Directed “Expend4bles” and might return for the fifth film.
- Producers: Kevin King-Templeton and Les Weldon are key names in the franchise.
- Lionsgate: Continues to be the studio behind the series.
The production timeline will depend on scheduling and other Hollywood factors. Fans should stay tuned for updates from the producers and the studio. Further cast additions and plot details will likely be revealed closer to the official announcement date.
