Sylvester Stallone has just posted a video on his Instagram account where he confirms that he is done with the shooting of “The Expendables 4”. But this video appears to be a more comprehensive farewell to the entire license. Is Sly about to hang up the role of Barney Ross for good?
Expendables : the film is finally coming
From 2010 to 2014, three films Expendables have seen the day. This cult franchise, which has brought in more than $ 800 million at the box office, brings together a truly mind-blowing cast of actors who are experts in action cinema from the 80s and 90s. Thus, on the three episodes, viewers can cross paths with Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, Chuck Norris or Arnold Schwarzenegger.
After 7 years of hiatus, The big arms of the Expendables will reunite once again for a fourth film. The shooting of this new part has already started since September 29th. Expendables 4 is directed by Scott Waugh, to whom we owe in particular Need for Speed. Casting side, the feature film will welcome some new kids like 50 Cent, Andy Garcia, Tony Jaa and Megan Fox.
Sylvester Stallone leaving the franchise?
Sylvester Stallone, who has carried the franchise on his shoulders since the very first film, seems to be on his way to hanging up. While it’s not even been a month since filming started, Sylvester Stallone has already concluded his participation in the feature film. He has indeed published a video on his Instagram account where he confirms having finished his shooting. And where he bids farewell to the character of Barney Ross. Without explicitly affirming it, Stallone could be done with the license for good Expendables.
In this famous video, Sly declares that this Friday, October 15, 2021 was his last day of filming on Expendables 4. He goes on, with some emotion, saying that:
They just finished a very successful stunt, and it’s time to move on. This will be my last day, so I’m enjoying it, but it’s still quite painful. This is something that I am so attached to. I guess it’s been 12 years since I was ready to hand over the baton to Jason. In his competent hands.
Indeed, Sylvester Stallone revealed, a short time ago, that a spin-off on the character of Jason Statham is well planned. With this new statement, maybe this spin-off will actually be a fifth movie. Expendables. A new opus led by the character of Statham, and that this will be done without Sylvester Stallone. The actor is obviously done for good with Barney Ross.
Sylvester Stallone continues his intervention by saying that:
The best thing is being able to offer movies and entertainment. Maybe there’s a little message in there because what I try to convey in my blockbuster movies is the human touch, the connection. Not so much the action. The action is the obvious part, but you shouldn’t forget about the relationship with the audience, so that they can identify with the mission and the characters. We have to make sense of it. Just provide an escape and hopefully there’s a little something extra in there. That’s the important part: heart, energy and humor.
Sly adds that he got home this weekend and is already preparing for his next challenge, whatever it is. While Stallone doesn’t explicitly say this will be his last appearance as Barney Ross, his video still sounds like a real goodbye. And one question remains: is Barney Ross going to die onscreen? After all, Hollywood is currently in a movement where it deconstructs its characters, to the point of offering them death on the screen. Thereby, maybe Ross will follow this narrative pattern …
