After Sylvester Stallone’s departure from the Expendables franchise, director Scott Waugh is contemplating his role in the future of the series. The Expendables 4 will feature a transition from Stallone to Jason Statham as the leading man, which Waugh finds exciting. Despite Stallone’s reduced involvement, he will always have a place in the franchise as its founder and original director. The future of the Expendables franchise is uncertain due to the negative reviews and underwhelming performance of its fourth installment, leaving doubts about the possibility of a fifth movie.
Scott Waugh, the director of “The Expendables 4,” has given insight into Sylvester Stallone’s future involvement in the action film franchise. Stallone played a significant role in conceptualizing and directing the first movie but took a more minor role in the latest release, allowing Jason Statham to take center stage. While Stallone’s participation in future films remains uncertain, his impact on the series is undeniable.
Director Waugh sheds light on Stallone’s role in the upcoming Expendables 4 movie, following his decision to pass the baton to Statham. Speaking to Moviefoe, Waugh expressed his excitement over this transition. However, he acknowledged that Stallone is currently at a point in his life where time is of great importance to him. Considering the demanding nature of an Expendables film, it’s understandable why Stallone chose to step back. Meanwhile, Statham, who shares Waugh’s age, is still enthusiastic about working extensively. Nonetheless, Waugh believes that Stallone will always be a part of the franchise as its founder and original director. Therefore, the new installment is a blend of old and new blood.
Waugh provides a suitable summary of the franchise’s current state after the release of its most recent film. The Expendables team looks different now compared to when it was first introduced in 2010. In the previous two movies, Bruce Willis was part of the cast alongside Statham, Stallone, and others. However, Willis has retired from acting due to an aphasia diagnosis and does not appear in The Expendables 4, nor do other former cast members like Harrison Ford. As a result of these changes and the introduction of Statham, the Expendables 4 cast includes both experienced stars like Stallone and younger faces, combining “new blood with the old.”
Despite the lead actor’s performance, the future of the franchise may not be as certain as suggested by Waugh. The latest installment, The Expendables 4, has received its worst reviews yet, with a measly 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. On top of that, it failed to do well at the box office, falling significantly short of already-low projections with a domestic earnings of only $8.3 million. As a result, the possibility of a fifth film in the series seems highly doubtful.
The Expendables movie series has had its fair share of critical failures, and it may be challenging for the franchise to surpass its box office success. Producers Kevin King-Templeton and Les Weldon have hinted at the possibility of another sequel, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Due to negative reviews and poor box office performance, director Sylvester Stallone’s involvement in the franchise should be re-evaluated. It remains uncertain whether The Expendables 4 will even be made.
