The Expendables franchise’s future has now been confirmed following the poor efficiency of Expend4bles in 2023. That includes Sylvester Stallone within the lead function, the star-studded motion franchise started in 2010, however the reception to the newest movie raised massive questions on whether or not it will proceed.
Two years later, Lionsgate has now introduced that it has acquired the rights to the Expendables franchise from Millennium Media. This deal provides the studio, which distributed the 4 franchise movies in North America and the UK, the rights to develop and produce all future movies, TV reveals, and video video games in that universe.
The deal between Lionsgate and Millennium Media additionally consists of the worldwide distribution rights to the upcoming Rambo prequel film, John Rambo. Noah Centineo is at the moment in last negotiations to play the titular function beforehand performed by Stallone. Lionsgate has additionally develop into the lead studio and manufacturing associate on all future Rambo motion pictures.
Lionsgate COO Brian Goldsmith shared the next assertion concerning the deal, expressing pleasure concerning the way forward for each the Expendables and Rambo franchises:
“This deal expands Lionsgate’s portfolio of genre-defining motion franchises and reinforces our dedication to delivering world-class IP throughout a number of platforms. We’re excited to reimagine each The Expendables and Rambo throughout movie and tv—and with John Rambo, we’re bringing collectively a daring artistic workforce to reinvent a basic character for a brand new era of followers.”
Millennium Media President Jonathan Yunger additionally shared an announcement, praising Lionsgate as a powerful associate shifting ahead in the case of these two properties:
“We’ve all the time believed within the enduring energy of those franchises, and this partnership provides them the dimensions, artistic assist and international attain they deserve. Lionsgate’s sturdy observe report with main motion properties makes it the perfect associate to assist form the subsequent chapters of The Expendables and Rambo.”
The announcement consists of the affirmation that Jalmari Helander (Sisu) will direct John Rambo, and that filming on that mission will get underway subsequent 12 months in Thailand.
As for The Expendables franchise, the deal is an indication that this IP is not useless simply but. After the primary three movies discovered success commercially, with The Expendables 2 (2012) marking a franchise excessive at $314 million grossed worldwide, the fourth installment cratered with solely $51 million. With an estimated $100 million price range, the movie was a big failure.
After anchoring all three of the earlier motion pictures, Stallone’s Barney Ross takes a again seat in The Expendables 4, which was meant to function a handoff to a youthful era of motion stars, together with Jason Statham and Megan Fox. A 14% Rotten Tomatoes rating coupled with the field workplace suggests the movie was extensively rejected by audiences.
The key query dealing with future motion pictures is whether or not they may carry again actors like Stallone, Statham, Fox, 50 Cent, Dolph Lundgren, and Iko Uwais, amongst others, or if they may wipe the slate clear with a brand new roster of stars. Given the response to Expend4bles, the latter may be extra possible, however Statham stays a bankable star, discovering success with movies like The Meg (2018) and The Beekeeper (2024).
As a substitute of leaping again onto the massive display, it is actually potential that the franchise takes a stab on the small display first, which might be an fascinating check of the IP’s attraction throughout mediums. It stays to be seen what the long run holds for The Expendables, however the franchise, similar to Stallone’s Barney Ross, is evidently exhausting to kill.
- Solid
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Jason Statham, Curtis Jackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture, Andy Garcia, Sylvester Stallone, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes
- Film(s)
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The Expendables, The Expendables 2, The Expendables 3, Expend4bles, Expendables 5
- Character(s)
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Barney Ross, Lee Christmas, Gunner Jensen, Trent Mauser, Yin Yang, Hale Caesar, Booker, Maggie (The Expendables)