Silver screen legend tapped some of Hollywood's most beloved action heroes to headline his explosive and thrilling franchise , with famous faces like Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, and Arnold Schwarzenegger being just a few of the big names to appear in the rip-roaring film series. In the blockbuster hits, Stallone portrays Barney Ross, the leader of the titular elite team of mercenaries who go on daring missions and take out violent adversaries while saving innocent lives.
The first installment made its spectacular debut in 2010 and was a fun, nostalgia-fueled experience for moviegoers who loved the bold and over-the-top action and colorful characters, with the series paying homage to the beloved action flicks of the '80s. Fans may be surprised to learn that had previously expressed interest in joining the electrifying franchise, revealing back in 2014 his desire to appear alongside Stallone in a surprising role; let's check out what he had to say.
Hollywood icon and bona fide action hero Sylvester Stallone teamed up with screenwriter and producer David Callaham to create the explosive franchise The Expendables, in which the seasoned star enlisted the talents of both classic and modern faces to join him in a thrilling throwback to action movies of cinema's past. Stallone tapped fellow '80s legends like Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and Arnold Schwarzenegger to join in the nostalgia-fueled series, which focuses on the titular group of elite mercenaries led by Barney Ross who carry out dangerous high-stakes missions varying from daring rescues to shocking assassinations.
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In the rip-roaring franchise, silver screen staple Jason Statham appears as Stallone's right-hand-man Lee Christmas, and together the tough-as-nails unit face countless formidable foes and ruthless adversaries throughout the four electrifying installments. . The franchise has grossed over $855 million worldwide and featured countless cameos and appearances, and Dwayne Johnson could have been one of them.
, having memorably headlined a slew of blockbuster hits like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, San Andreas, Moana, and the Fast & Furious franchise, and because of his massive star power and jaw-dropping physical prowess, it's very easy to imagine Johnson starring opposite Stallone and Statham. In 2014, while promoting the release of Hercules, Johnson sat down for an AMA on Reddit and was asked by a user whether he would ever join The Expendables series, to which he responded that he definitely would, albeit with a wicked twist.
It seems as though he has no interest in fighting alongside Barney's misfit mercenaries and would instead love to be the one causing them problems and taking them down in a villainous role. The charismatic leading man would have been the perfect addition to 2023's underwhelming entry Expend4bles, which failed to dazzle both audiences and critics at the box office and was in dire need of fresh, new energy that Johnson could have brought.
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Watching Johnson embrace his dark and devious side and star as an antagonistic presence in The Expendables would have been wildly entertaining for his devoted fans, and it wouldn't be the first time he resuscitated a floundering franchise. The movie star completely reinvigorated the Fast & Furious films when he joined 2011's Fast Five as fearless DSS agent and bounty hunter Luke Hobbs, with many attributing Johnson's involvement in the series as a reason they've remained as successful and enduring as they have been. He could have been the perfect solution to the lackluster sequel that was Expend4bles and given the franchise new life.
Not only does Johnson have a commanding presence and undeniable swagger that would have audiences hooked the minute he showed up on screen, but his insane physicality and brash attitude would make him one of the gifted mercenaries' most powerful enemies. Johnson has largely portrayed heroes throughout his sensational career (aside from a few minor detours in films like Get Smart and The Mummy Returns), so watching him really sink his teeth into a villainous persona would be a downright delight. Perhaps Stallone will one day utilize Johnson's exceptional expertise if a fifth entry in The Expendables franchise is ever given the green light. Rent/Buy The Expendables on Prime Video.
