The Expendables was a big hit and a very nice throwback of a film honoring the action stars of the 80’s, and a follow up has been discussed in some form or fashion since the release of the original. More often than not any discussion on the movie are “wish lists” or rumored stars that would either return or join the cast in a follow up. Today we learn that a few stars are now confirmed and will appear in the film alongside Jet Li, Sly Stallone and others:
Source: Screen Rant
An official cast list for the Expendables followup has made its way online, revealing that Stallone’s mercenary crew from the first film (Jason Statham, Jet Li, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren) and Mickey Rourke are all set to reprise their respective roles in Part Deux.
Moviehole got ahold of said cast list and is reporting that familiar faces like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be back (sorry) in Expendables 2, while the often-rumored Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, and Scott Adkins are all now officially onboard for the film.
Van Damme will be playing a villain (as was previously rumored) in Expendables 2 alongside fellow muscular martial arts master/actor Adkins (Undisputed II, The Bourne Ultimatum). Willis’ Mr. Church made only a brief appearance in the first film, but he’s long been all but confirmed to become the main antagonist in the sequel.
There’s no word yet if Schwarzenegger’s role in the second Expendables movie will likewise be larger (or, rather, more than a three minute cameo), but the 71-year-old Norris is only expected to show up briefly in the film.
Very exciting news and I’m looking forward to seeing the entire cast assemble on the silver screen. I’m a bit surprised to see Jet Li’s name included as it had been recently rumored that he wouldn’t be able to commit to the movie but I’ll take his inclusion in stride. Norris? Really? May we finally see see the return of the infamous Chuck Norris internet quotes?! One can only hope…
You know.. out of all the new additions, it isn’t JCVD or even Norris that I am looking forward to the most. It’s Scott Adkins. Being kin in first names gave me a strong bond with him. To the point that I have been following his career since I first saw him in Undisputed 2. Now as soon as I hear that he is in a movie I go out of my way to find it. So the fact that he is in this is like all kinds of awesome to me. I hope he is someone with a different accent. He’s played so many people of different ethnicities that I think he can pull off any accent.
Needs some Harrison Ford maybe? I dunno. Is/was he action-y enough? What about some Kurt Russell?
Harrison Ford isn’t needed in any role any more. Sorry, I think he has played out.
There is no such thing as an played out actor.There is such a thing as a played out gimmick but a good actor, given the right script and or movie role is always great to see. Some actors can even make a bad movie decent with just an appearance. Harrison Ford is a great actor, he’ll never be played out.
i’m surprised to hear Li was back too. I heard he wasn’t coming back as well. Hopefully that is true. Nic Cage and John Travolta were two other casting rumors that I’m wondering if it’s happening or not. I have faith that this film will be more solid than the first, even though I loved the first. With so much going on, it’s understandable that Stallone’s directing was a bit messy with this as I imagine it’s hard to direct, write, star, etc… with such a gigantic cast…worked for a smaller scaled Rambo, but this deserves an action director. I’m on bored though. I can’t wait!
Nic Cage and Travolta don’t belong in this movie. They aren’t proper action stars, they are legitimate actors who took the parts away from the action stars. I suppose it could work if they get their asses kicked.
…of course, Bruce Willis wasn’t an action star either, and when he was cast in Die Hard everyone thought the producers were tripping out. Bruce was actually the guy who made it ok for normal actors to take action parts. So it’s kind of fitting that he’s the antagonist.