The Expendables was released in 2010 and was a huge box office success, spawning a hit action franchise and inspiring a legion of fans. Naturally, The Expendables 2 and The Expendables 3 were quickly commissioned and released, in 2012 and 2014 respectively. The second movie was received just as well as the first, but the third ultimately underperformed, per LA Times. There were a number of reasons why this was, according to The Atlantic, which deemed the film “stupid” and “complicated,” but arguably one of the biggest reasons for its downfall was its switch in rating, going from R to PG-13.
Now, nearly a decade later, The Expendables 4 is set to release in theaters. It took a long time to happen, and fans are equal parts eager and hesitant to watch the newest installment of the franchise. Production has evidently been slow, and little is known about what the movie will be about. Nevertheless, here’s what the long-awaited sequel needs to get right this time around.
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The Script Needs to be Right
Lionsgate
One of the most important things that the upcoming film needs to get right is the script. The failings of The Expendables 3 were largely due to the script, which didn’t feel like it fit with the previous films in the franchise. Indeed, there were rumors throughout production the last film that changes would be made on the day of shooting that the cast had to quickly adapt to, which resulted in an incoherent final vision and an inherent disconnection between actor and director. It’s not uncommon for scripts to change on any given day, particularly for big-budget movies, but a lack of direction ultimately hurts any film.
The script for The Expendables 4, like the first two films in the franchise, should be kept fairly simple and character-focused for the best results. The Expendables and The Expendables 2 succeeded most initially because of their character-focused plots, which built tension and helped us understand the characters more.
The Cast is Key
Another key part of making The Expendables 4 a success is bringing a strong cast to the table. It’s already been confirmed that many of the original cast members, including Sylvester Stallone, will be returning for the new addition to the franchise. Other actors who have been confirmed as returning include Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Wesley Snipes, and Antonio Banderas. It’s important for the cast to be fleshed out fully and for the new additions to be given the same substance as the returning cast members.
Right now, Jason Statham is arguably the most bankable star of the group, however, we typically see with sequels that a shift in who is the central character makes for a more interesting film, so this could be done to allow more of the large ensemble cast to be fleshed out. It also makes sense to make room for new cast members to develop so that the franchise can still feel current and new.
The Visual Effects Should be Right
One way that films can fall short in the modern era is through too much reliance on GCI. Previous films have perhaps used more than is necessary, which has felt forced and can cheapen the overall feel of the film. If this is done properly then it can be a beneficial thing. However, more often than not, it becomes the central theme of the film and means the overall substance is reduced, which should be avoided in this addition.
The Expendables 4 should also up the stakes so that the main characters do actually feel more expendable. Circumstances throughout the series increasingly felt safe with each new entry, and the risk factor for the main characters largely faded away, subtracting the main premise of the franchise. If audiences are to be kept on their toes, then this should be amplified and audiences should feel more scared for the characters. This could be explored well with use of visual effects in a way that does not feel cheap.
