The more I read about The Expendables 2, the more I think Sylvester Stallone was watching this scene when he was dreaming up his cast list. Considering the number of actors they had in the first film, and the actors they're adding for the second go-round; I'm not entirely sure that Stallone's script is going to have any room for anyone to actually talk to each other, since so many of these guys are going to have to demand fight scenes custom-written for them. If nothing else, it's shaping up to be a hell of a cast, with Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed for more substantial roles last week, and Stallone telling Entertainment Weekly yesterday that he's locked up Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme for his action sequel.
We’ll have a big showdown between me and Van Damme, which has been anticipated for a long time, so it should be a good one.
So, it sounds like Van Damme might be in a villain role of some sort, which would be fun to see, especially since he hasn't had a significant role in a film in years. But, like some kind of late-night informercial, Stallone just can't resist unveiling potential new features for the film, saying that he "thinks" Nic Cage is on board, and that it's "possible" that John Travolta will hop on as well.
We’re trying to work out different scenarios. I like using people that had a moment and then maybe have fallen on some hard times and give them another shot. So we’re always looking for actors like Michael Biehn and Michael Pare. I like those kinds of guys. Someone did it for me and I like to see if I can do it for them. 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.
And, regarding Travolta's involvement:
It’s possible. The one thing I’ve learned is what is a fact on Monday is a complete fallacy on Tuesday. A lot of it is scheduling. It’s not financial. It’s just that Bulgaria is definitely a jaunt. It’s a commitment, you know what I mean? Especially in the dead of winter.
Now, all of this is pretty circumstantial, and it might just be the HGH doing funny things to Stallone's brain, but it's certainly looking like the large cast of The Expendables is about to get even bigger. Now it's just a matter of finding a place for everyone. I'd start by cutting Mickey Rourke's character out of it entirely, as he didn't really add much to the first film aside from a hilariously awkward "tender moment."
Too much star power!
I'm still not hearing Austin confirmed for the sequel. I don't care if he 'died' in the first one or not, he should be in there in some role.
MIchael Biehn would be a pretty good get. However much like Tarentino "remember that guy" roles, bringing these folks back doesn't relauch their career so much as secure a handful of DVD budget action movie roles before they fall back into obscurity. I appreciate the sentiment, though, and Im sure a lot of those guys appreciate the opportunities. Im surprised he hasn't approached old Brian Thompson considering how big of a guilty pleasure hit Cobra's become. I wouldn't mind Clancy Brown of Highlander/Lex Luthor fame stopping in either, he's gotta be tired of playing Mr. Krabs or whatever the hell.
If Nic Cage ends up having a big role in this then Expendables 2 might end up being one of the greatest action movies ever created.
He needs to get Seagal and Treat Williams.
If Travolta joins the film, will there be a side plot about him dealing with his Scientology beliefs and if they conflict with what's going on in the movie?
@HT101 said:
Im sure. And they'll probably bring up how he's a pilot and how his son died, because his personal life is 100% relevant at all times.
This reminds me, I really need to watch the first Expendables...
I think Travolta makes the cut because his action resume is pretty solid and as a villain he's always entertaining. Cage badly wants to be an action star but the shoe doesn't fit, as the last decade has proven. Nothing about him is intimidating or especially charismatic. He should be in Troma movies. And if he's in this film, he should play the weird weasely turncoat style guy that every action movie needs because he nails weird. Play to your strengths.
The only thing that i don't like is that Stallone isn't directing. After seeing Rambo and the first Expendables i think he should keep going. But i understand how tiring it is for him to act, write, and direct. I don't really know about Simon West for this one. Besides Con Air i don't really think there's another Simon West movie I liked...
I would love for this to turn into a 2 hr orgy, an I mean that quite literately. I'd watch I bunch of has-beens fondle each other as they remember their glory days. Which lets be honest that's what this will turn out to be, whether they actually all have sex with each other or not.
O man this better have like the "evil" expendables in it led by Van Damme with Norris and Cage and everyone else o man this is goign to be AWESOME
It seems like people really enjoyed the first Expendables, but I just caught it on Instant Queue and thought it was completely underwhelming. I get it. I get the surface appeal, and I rather enjoy Stallone's over the top (see what I did there) violence and thought Rambo was ridiculous and gory in a way that worked for me, but The Expendables just seemed aimless and I thought all the dialogue and character interaction was bad in a bad way. Eric Roberts and that crazy automatic shotgun were the only redeemable parts of the movie for me. I love Van Damme though, but I know if I expect a JCVD type performance from him, I'll only be disappointed even more.
Ok, good news here. There definitely needs to be a more substantial "bad guy" team to battle against Stallone and crew this time around. Less Mickey Rourke tearful soliloquies and girlfriend subplots, more Van Damme kicking dudes and Terry Crews shotguns.
Including Nick Cage would just risk it being a flop, though it's true he was in a variety of action movies in the 90s and 00s.
My action movie boner cannot get any harder right now. If Nic Cage signs on, it's going to explode. FUCKING EXPLODE!
This may require Bruckheimer and Bay to co-direct, to ensure all explosions and crashes are of sufficient size and awe.
Didn't like the first one, won't even bother seeing this one.
The first one was terrible indeed. I appreciated the effort though, which was it's saving grace for me. I hope the second gets even crazier, as that's the only direction this can go.