The popular action film, The Expendables, which features prominent actors like Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham, will be leaving Netflix on October 4. The film franchise, which showcases a massive ensemble of Hollywood action heroes, premiered in 2010 and has since gained a growing roster of actors with each sequel. The first movie in the series boasts an impressive cast, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, and Terry Crews, among others. Stallone, who directed and acted in the film, attempted to make the cast even larger but had to settle for the already enormous lineup. If you want to catch the first three installments of this legendary series, make sure to watch them on Netflix before they disappear.
Initially, many famous actors declined offers to be part of the ensemble film, The Expendables, but later expressed regret for missing out on the opportunity. Jean-Claude Van Damme eventually joined the cast, playing the villain in the second film. The Expendables follows the story of Barney Ross, played by Sylvester Stallone, as he leads a team of specialized mercenaries on dangerous missions. In one mission, they discover they have been double-crossed and must fight their way out of danger while attempting to stop a ruthless dictator. The film blends action and 80s-inspired set pieces, with many stunts performed by the actual cast. The Expendables also marks the first time that Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger appear together on screen, who are friends off-screen and business partners in Planet Hollywood.
Although Schwarzenegger had limited screen time in the first Expendables film due to his role as the Governor of California, he appeared more prominently in later installments. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics who criticized its reliance on overused action tropes, the franchise was a commercial success. The latest addition to the series, The Expend4bles, was released recently and received varying reviews from critics and audiences alike. The series also marked the first time that Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger shared the screen together. If you want to catch up on the first three films before watching the fourth one in theaters, make sure to stream them on Netflix before they leave on October 4.
