The ultimate action movie? Just might be... (NOW WITH TRAILER)

[Ramrod]

This is apparently not a joke, I only read about it today. An action movie with Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, and Eric Roberts. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables_(2010_film))

Clearly the acting will be horrendous, and the writing will likely be cliche after cliche, but... is this possibly the ultimate action movie in the making?

It is only PG-13, but an action movie doesn't need ultra gore and constant swearing to be awesome. Plus, it means I can take my brother to see it.

Anyway, I will admit that although I think it's a great idea on paper (the concept is so badass, the script probably has a beard), the fact that it's so chock-full of action stars is probably going to turn the film into a bunch of retarded references to each actor's most famous role or something. Which will suck.

If only they'd gotten Chuck Norris, Samuel L Jackson, Vin Diesel, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, Kurt Russell, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Steven Seagal. Then it would have been pretty much perfect.



16/10 EDIT:

The trailer has been released and can be found here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i38FGrNXRGE). Looks like a barrel of perfection.

[whats_true]

Wow, thats insane. How did they pull of that many big name actors? But judging from the Credit line up, some may only be cameo appearances.

Sylvester Stallone ... Barney Ross

Jason Statham ... Lee Christmas

Jet Li ... Bao Thao

Dolph Lundgren ... Gunnar Jensen

Eric Roberts ... Monroe
Randy Couture ... Toll Road
Steve Austin ... Dan Paine

David Zayas ... General Garza

Giselle Itié ... Sandra

Terry Crews ... Hale Caesar

Mickey Rourke ... Tool

other cast:

Bruce Willis ... Mr. Church

Liam Hemsworth

Brittany Murphy ... Amy

Arnold Schwarzenegger

[Poser1313]

Isn't Arnold still a governor? You'd think that he'd be kinda busy for a movie.

You are right. Without Samuel L Jackson, it's not gonna be perfect!

I think that I'd probably have to see a preview to get a good idea of what the movie will be like though.

[Mac_Bug]

Sounds like rat race

[Vintage]

I don't think the acting will completely suck. Stallone, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, and even Statham and Arnold can both act. Yes, I said it, Arnold can act. It isn't his fault that most of his movies had ridiculous scripts. I think his acting was believable in many of his movies such as Predator and Total Recall. Even in a movie where most would say his acting sucked, Commando for example, I thought he was amazing in it. Any other actor and the movie would have sucked ass, the script was horrible but Arnold made it good. The wiki says the movie is supposed to be an old school action movie similar to the 80s and 90s movies. It has the three best action movie veterans in my opinion.

I for one am looking forward to this. I don't need an amazing plot to enjoy an oscar winning plot to enjoy an action movie so even if the plot sucks I may still enjoy it since it has many of my favorite action stars in it.

[Brenil]

Isn't Arnold still a governor? You'd think that he'd be kinda busy for a movie.

They probably blow up his governor's mansion.

It sounds a little silly and certainly won't appeal to me if for no other reason it is rated PG-13 and most of the movies all of those actors are known for are rated R. I'm sorry, a real Action! movie must have blatant swearing and brutal violence or else it is just a CGI-fest of fantasy violence.

*EDIT*

Speaking of Arnold, one of my favorite movies of his was one that is often lamented, Last Action Hero. I don't get why so many people hated a satire of action movies by an actual action movie star. I too do not believe Arnold is a bad actor, he was just type-casted his whole career. That isn't to say he is Oscar-worthy, but neither are 95% of Hollywood's A-list actors.

[Vintage]

Reading the wiki is pretty interesting. Apparently Wesley Snipes, Van Damme, and Seagal were all offered roles. Arnold was supposed to have a bigger role but declined it instead for a cameo due to his political career. That makes me sad but at least he is still in it. :(

[Langy]

That isn't to say he is Oscar-worthy, but neither are 95% of Hollywood's A-list actors.

Or even 80% of the actors who actually recieve Oscars.

[No Surrender]

Sounds like an awesome way to kill a couple of hours with some friends. Probably one of those films that's best when slightly drunk and with boisterous friends.

[Afoxi]

I second the mention that Arnold had a lot of terrible scripts.

[Hermes]

I second the mention that Arnold had a lot of awesome scripts.

Fixed. Predator, Commando and Terminators 1 & 2 have some of the best scripts ever. :up:

Edit: With honourable mentions for True Lies and Total Recall.

[CPK]

I WANTS TO SEE THIS!!!!

[CommodoreKitty]

There is no way that the aging Governator is going to be able to make anymore more than a cameo in this film, even though I would really really like for that not to be the case. Like kinda kicks you in the balls that way sometimes.
But I do think I would like to see this movie, and it is definitely something to see with friends.

(and I just found out, after all of these years, what the tab button does XD)

[Shuma]

Jesus Christ.

I doubt that this movie is going to be a blockbuster but god, it sounds awesome, also does anyone even bother reading the links?

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a cameo role as a retired Lieutenant General of the Expendables.

It's confirmed that he is going to be only in a cameo, i hope we get to see him punch someone. 'cause what's better than watching a giant Austrian man punch someone? I know, watch a giant Austrian man punch an incredibly advanced alien life-form, thank god there's a movie for that.

[Alliance]

I was sold the moment I saw statham. I have a man crush for any movie he is in.

[Brenil]

With honourable mentions for True Lies and Total Recall.

True Lies was one of the few movies Arnold has been in where he actually had room to act. Granted, he wasn't fooling anyone with his computer salesman cover in the movie or out of it, but it seems like it was one of the few movies he's done that actually had a sizable amount of dialogue for him to use.

I don't agree at all that Commando or even the original Predator had 'awesome' scripts. The only great thing about Predator was it spawned a franchise through a great villian; the rest of the movie, with the exception of "I don't got time to bleed", would of been quite forgettable. Commando, on the other hand, was just terrible.

[Hermes]

Commando, on the other hand, was just terrible.

You take that back! You take that back right this instant or so help me I will be sooo mad!!!! :nyah:

[Kane935]

Commando may be a bad movie in it of itself, but It becomes soooo much better when its parodied:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIFobcooIvM

[Lord Abaddon]

The Commando was pretty bad... How could they NOT hit a 2 meter Austrian giant? And if they had so many troops, why the hell didn't they get a tank or two?
But it did have some good parts, like the saw blade thing he did.

[Hermes]

I don't think you guys really "get" Commando. :|

[Brenil]

What is there to 'get'? Arnold kills a bunch of guys to free his daughter. There has been a few of those movies made before and after; none of which, that I can think of, were any good.

[Paladin]

Taken.

[Brenil]

Like I said, none of which that were any good.

[Cable]

Taken was awesome and thats all there is to it.

I think this ultimate action movie will be kickass. The cast is great and despite some of the lineup not being amazing actors I think they'll be able to pull off an awesome job.

I fear for the amount of movie quotes though :(

[Paladin]

Yeah, seriously, Taken was an awesome movie. The ending was a bit overplayed, I admit it... And there were a few too many points where he threw away guns rather than using them... But for a movie in that genre it was actually surprisingly good.

[konfeta]

What is there to 'get'?

"Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last?"
"That's right, Matrix. You did."
"I lied."

[Kryopsis]

Yeah, seriously, Taken was an awesome movie. The ending was a bit overplayed, I admit it... And there were a few too many points where he threw away guns rather than using them... But for a movie in that genre it was actually surprisingly good.

Taken was more of an action/drama, however. Still, you can tell it's not a Hollywood movie judging by the cinematography of the action scenes and the vulnerability (and age) of the protagonist. It was a very good movie.

[Starblade]

Whoever watched Taken for any reason other than watching Liam Neeson beat the shit out of people watched Taken for the wrong reason.

[Nurizeko]

I'de pay money to see this in a cinema.

Which I guess is more then can be said for allot of movies.

[MardiGrasBandit]

This sounds like it may be a fitting spiritual successor to the greatest cheesy action film ever made: Commando. I rejoice at it's existence.

Also in my list of greatest action films:

Historical: 300
Western: The Wild Bunch
Modern: Die Hard
Sci Fi: The Terminator
Bad Martial Arts/ecologically friendly: On Deadly Ground

[Croaxleigh]

Producer Avi Lerner has reported that the film will be cut down to two versions, a PG-13-rating edit and an R-rated version, both of which will be screen tested to see which one will be officially released.
So there's a chance it could be R-rated, though it goes on to talk about the same producer masturbating to PG-13 (well, close enough, anyway) so it's probably not all that likely.

[MadCatChiken]

If Arnie saids "get to da choppa!" in this film i'll see it... meh i'll see it anyway, awesome cast lol..

[Vintage]

Commando was trying to be a fun, comedic, cheesy action movie. It succeeded in being exactly that, nothing more. It did it extremely well and that is why the movie rocked.

Big black guy from predator: You scared, motherfucker? Well, you should be, because this Green Beret is going to kick your big ass!

Arnold: I eat Green Berets for breakfast. And right now, I'm very hungry!

Cute sidekick woman: I can't believe this macho bullshit!

I have to watch that movie again it makes me laugh so hard.

I really wish Bill Duke was in this. His characters are always awesome and he delivers his lines perfectly.

http://www.eljinetepalido.es/wp-content/uploads/macside.gif

[Malarky]

Fixed. Predator, Commando and Terminators 1 & 2 have some of the best scripts ever.

Edit: With honourable mentions for True Lies and Total Recall.

:cube:

Content: You had me at, Jet Li and Bruce Willis. Seriously want to know more about this and where can I get one.

[Taveras]

Arnold acting, "Give de peeple der air, Cohagen!" (Total Recall 1990)
Arnold governing, "De peeple of Kaylifornia have spoken!" (Sacramento 2007)

[Dimension]

I am positively amused by the premise, the fact that stallone is making it (bet he's the reason such a cast could come to be in the first place), and the cast not only being filled with action heroes, but having pretty much every ethnicity on the planet in there.

MUST WATCH

[holyknight]

wow this movie looks AWESOME.
so going to watch it.
Anyone watched the latest Rambo? It was so freaking funny...
"WHO ARE YOU?! WHO ARE YOU?!"

too bad samuel jackson isn't there... he'd be awesome.
And jet li is pretty cool I guess... some of his movies were horrible though.
But yeah this movie looks awesome.

[Brenil]

Whoever watched Taken for any reason other than watching Liam Neeson beat the shit out of people watched Taken for the wrong reason.

That's true, but still I was rather shocked at how blatantly unrealistic it was. The movie as it is was James Bond meets Rambo meets Bruce Lee; everything in that movie was just outrageous, and in my view, not in a good way.

I like Liam Neeson and the very fact that he was in the movie was the only reason I watched it to begin with; however his character wasn't likable, and nor was his immortal ability to survive everything and looking 'cool' while doing so.

[Kryopsis]

however his character wasn't likable
That was the point.
You don't remain 'likable' when people kidnap the person you sacrificed your career for.

[Brenil]

I mean in the sense that I could empathize with his character. Halfway through the movie I was hoping they'd just kill him.

[Paladin]

Wait, what? The character was easily the most likable action movie protagonist in... possibly ever.

[Black]

We're veering off topic, gentlemen ;)

Although I thought this was a joke topic when I first read the post. I definitely have to see this movie. I hope Stallone takes it in a self-parodying direction.

[Retroboy]

A comment here that they should have invited Chuck Norris in a reprisal of his TV series role. Given the age of many of these "action stars", the character name "Walker" could double as a reference to a transportation assistance device.

P.S. As a parent, I'll also endorse Neeson's role in Taken. As almost always, when it moved from the initial reaction and investigation stage into the build-up action sequences near the movie's end it started getting pretty fluffy, but I thought his role was well acted as representative of someone of both his age and family status. I really liked that film and the role that went with it.

A different action star shows how age should be tackled - Eastwood's Gran Torino was a wonderful film, in my opinion equal to Unforgiven. Where's Eastwood in this?!? :D

[MardiGrasBandit]

Although I thought this was a joke topic when I first read the post. I definitely have to see this movie. I hope Stallone takes it in a self-parodying direction.God, I hope not. This movie will be awsome if it really is trying to be a classic action movie with a thin veneer of a plot to justify explosions, fist fights, car chases and gun battles. It will probably be terrible if it's just a long series of references to old movies and in jokes that try and carry an otherwise awful movie on nostalgia. The more I think about it, that seems like the more likely route it will take.

[Paladin]

See... I disagree with that. The era of the 80s style action movie is gone. The genre is dead. Attempting to make one that took itself completely seriously, in a sense of being completely unconscious of the cliche it would be, would just come off as a pathetic last grab for attention from a bunch of over the hill ex-superstars.

If, on the other hand, it's written well, in a way that's conscious of the cliches involved, then it has the potential to garner genuine respect for everyone involved.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Stallone has the writing chops necessary (Or at least the brains to hire professional writers to help him out).

On a different note, after reading the link in the OP, Kurt Russell is apparently a douchebag.

[Ira Aduro]

Well smack with a large trout and call it a day. That is indeed the most impressive cast ever to appear in an action film. I doubt it will be 'good' but I bet it will most definitely be watchable. :)

And props to Taken. Great movie. Though every time I see the girl I think Shannon from Lost who I hated. Interestingly enough she plays as despicable a character in Taken.

[Lor]

Word almost fail me. The biggest question I have is how the hell did they assemble a cast like that with a $70 million budget?

[Retroboy]

Royalties. It's the new Hollywood thing. Many more casts are getting a cut of the box office take as part of their package, because the bankers were having too hard a time financing the big names in film's exorbitant asking prices up front. It's much easier to find the money to support a "$2M + 5% of the box office take" deal than it is to fork out $10M in advance.

[KON Air]

Did anyone made "More Cow Bell" joke? Oh, oh wait, is the Kitchen Sink confirmed in casting?

[Ammon Ra]

This here is a nitpick.
True Lies was one of the few movies Arnold has been in where he actually had room to act. Granted, he wasn't fooling anyone with his computer salesman cover in the movie or out of it, but it seems like it was one of the few movies he's done that actually had a sizable amount of dialogue for him to use.
Acting =! number of dialogue lines.

Hence, the number of lines The Governator has had in any film only has a small effect on his ability to act. See terminator 1.

[KON Air]

You can replace him with any other bodybuilder in Terminator 1&2 and have the same results. Find me another example because I just can't come up with any including Predator. It was the closest thing he came to actually acting... that and Last Action Hero. Think about it... Last Action Hero might be the pinnacle of his acting.

[Gorb]

I was sold the moment I saw statham. I have a man crush for any movie he is in.Is there some kind of club we can join? Y'know, like Alcoholics Anonymous or something like that, but to remedy our mancrush on Jason Statham.

Will be watching this movie come hell or high water. Also, Starblade reminded me why I need to watch Taken.

[Brenil]

Acting =! number of dialogue lines.

Well, yes and no.

It depends on the actor really, no one here is arguing Arnold is a grade-A actor who has spent his entire life honing his craft so he can portray a trash can in a cameo and win an Oscar for the performance.

What I meant by that was Arnold has been type-casted into scripts where the dialogue that was provided didn't allow him to prove whether or not he had the capability to expand his acting abilities other than looking menacing (a giant Austrian is already pretty scary) and speaking one-liners. Seriously, put Sean Penn in some of the movies with Arnold's dialogue and see how well he does.

Dialogue does make a difference, not only in length, but quality; which is was my point. True Lies had far more and better dialogue for Arnold to work with than most of his other movies.

[Starblade]

Arnold's acting talent is obvious because he acted his way into the position of governor of California. His talent is second only to that of Reagan. Also who cares if he is or is not the greatest actor ever, he's fun as hell to watch and that is more than good enough for me.

[CPK]

well Alliance, i too have man crush, but on ryan renolds

[Paladin]

Word almost fail me. The biggest question I have is how the hell did they assemble a cast like that with a $70 million budget?
Well... All of the older 80s action stars probably come pretty cheap nowadays. It's not like they're swimming in work.

[Retroboy]

Not "quite" true Paladin. Some of them have moved up the food chain a fair ways but not necessarily in front of the camera. The Governator with his Governating and real estate business, and Eastwood's very well respected directing as well as actor (well, ok, he was more of a '70's star but his resume in the '80's was still very respectable) are a couple of examples.

[Koozer]

Wait, Clint Eastwood too? I didn't die did I and went to heaven without noticing? I hope there's a parallel universe somewhere in which Wesley Snipes and Jean Claude Van Damme accepted the roles, and when we invent time/space travel it will the first stop on the list.

EDIT: and Antonio Banderas.

[Pyro Paul]

the only thing i can think of is basically 'Ultimate show down of Ultimate destiny' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Nqguav6nE)... they are throwing so much money at Name actors that they won't have a budget for a movie so basically the movie just degrades into 'Big name bad asses fist fight!'....

[KON Air]

It would be awesome if they went for "Ultimate Showdown Of Ultimate Destiny". It would at least make more sense then;

A team of highly-trained, lethal, combat mercenaries go on a mission to South America to overthrow and execute a villainous dictator and his army, who has been causing devastation and chaos for the last 20 years.

tl:dr bunch of dudes waste 1000s of other dudes.

But even with all stars cast it will have to compete with this; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385867/

[Starblade]

they are throwing so much money at Name actors that they won't have a budget for a movie so basically the movie just degrades into 'Big name bad asses fist fight!'....

I'm not seeing the problem here.

[Ramrod]

First post updated with trailer link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i38FGrNXRGE)

[Dimension]

hehehehehrherhrheeehehrherehheehhe

you know, I usually am not the one to giggle at action sequences, but this trailer made me do precisely that.

anyways, its good to see that they're trying to concentrate on 5 main characters instead of making everyone on the lineup look awesome and cool, ending up with a patchwork of disconnected footage of characters trying to outdo the other ones in badassness.

[Sentinel]

Can't wait for this to come out.
It's a shame Steven Segal turned down his part.

[Someguy]

dude, Jet Li vs Dolph Lundgren!

This movie is going to be awesome.

[Ramrod]

I love the shotgun that Terry Crews uses (www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ebtj1jR7c) in the trailer.

[Ammon Ra]

columbian(?) general: "It is time we remove this american disease!"
Stalone: "what's he saying?"
soldier: "That we're dead with an accent"

Epic. Very good blend of one-liner humour and action. If i ever get the opportunity i'm watching. :D

[Koozer]

Sorry Stallone, but that goatie looks weird. I'm looking forward to see the different styles of fighting each actor has in their respective stereotypical action hero roles all in one film. Jet Li's refined and Jason Statham's more brutal martial arts to Sylvester Stallone's "shoot the bajeezus out of everything" technique. Ahh this is going to be fun.

And I'm glad Steven Seagal isn't in it. GLAD I SAY. Pity about Jean-Claude Van Damme and Wesley Snipes though.

[DeafMute]

film does look pretty good i think. always liked the old school shoot the shit outta everything action movie. even if it didnt make sense (looks at the commando island battle infinate machine gun lol)

[Starblade]

Movie of the year right here.

[Fish Of Doom]

this is going to be interesting

though i can only hope arnold sells tortillas in his cameo role

[Gorb]

Words cannot describe the awesome.

[Jopax]

though i can only hope arnold sells tortillas in his cameo role 16th Oct 09 4:25 PM

That and he has to say "Get down" at least once in order to make his role worthwile.
Now imagine if they also added Mr. T...

[Enosh]

so much win in one movie

can the universe handle this?

[Shuma]

My god... It's... It's... Nothing special. I just has more lol-action-lol actors, but it looks like a common action movie, not that that's bad, it looks awesome. Apparently everything explodes in this movie.

[Mac_Bug]

I really hope this movie won't be as bad as Rambo 3