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."
