According to USA Today, the latest film in the Expendables franchise, The Expendables 4, starring Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone, has had a disappointing opening weekend with only $8.3 million earned against its reported production budget of $100 million. In contrast, Jason Statham’s other movie, Meg 2: The Trench, is doing exceptionally well and has already earned almost $400 million since its release on August 4. Despite an international earning of $19 million, The Expendables 4 has still performed poorly compared to other movies in the series and has been criticized by critics, earning a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although there is talk of Statham’s character taking over as the lead for future movies, the franchise’s financial success remains uncertain. It should be noted that while the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is relatively high at 71%, the box office numbers are not reflective of this.
Sylvester Stallone’s departure from The Expendables franchise has left Jason Statham’s character, Lee Christmas, as the potential lead for future movies. However, the current installment’s financial success may determine whether there will be a continuation of the series. Despite the poor reception of The Expendables 4, with criticisms of CGI effects, violence, and plot, there is still hope for a fifth installment if the right script is produced and Jason Statham’s star power is taken into account. The franchise has earned over $800 million to date, and producers have stated that they will continue making movies as long as there is an appetite from fans. While Stallone’s departure marks a transition for the franchise, it doesn’t necessarily mean a fast-approaching end for The Expendables.
