The Expendables 2
Encyclopedia
The Expendables 2 is an upcoming ensemble
action film
directed by Simon West
and written by David Agosto and Ken Kaufman based on a story by Sylvester Stallone
. It is the sequel to the 2010 action film The Expendables
, and stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham
, Jet Li
, Dolph Lundgren
, Chuck Norris
, Randy Couture
, Terry Crews
, Liam Hemsworth
, Jean-Claude Van Damme
, Bruce Willis
, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
.
The film is scheduled for release on August 17, 2012.
The cast is rounded out by Chinese actress Yu Nan
as Maggie, and Swedish actress Amanda Ooms
as Pilar, a sniper. Professional Tennis player Novak Djokovic
has a cameo role as himself after being invited to participate by producer Avi Lerner
. Nikolette Noel will have the role as Timmon's wife.
In October 2010, Willis claimed that Steve Austin would also be returning to the series as villain Dan Paine. In November 2010, Charlie Sheen
was reported to be in consideration for the role of a Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) agent hunting down Willis' character. In August 2011, Variety
reported that actor, and expert martial-artist, Donnie Yen
had been offered a role in the film. The role was a condition of a partnership between Nu Image/Millennium Films and an unnamed Chinese distributor that would see the distributor becoming a producer on the film in exchange for a Chinese actor being cast. The partnership was also considered to make a Chinese release of The Expendables 2 easier to achieve. In September 2011, Stallone confirmed that he was in talks with Nicolas Cage
and John Travolta
, claiming the only obstacle to their involvement would be scheduling. In July 2011, Mickey Rourke
was stated to be reprising his role as Tool, but by late September it was reported that he had dropped out of the film, and by October 18, 2011 this status was confirmed. Antonio Banderas
was reportedly offered a role but was unable to participate due to other commitments.
On his approach to casting, Stallone explained that he was looking particularly for actors who had not experienced recent significant success in film, saying: "I like using people that had a moment and then maybe have fallen on some hard times and give them another shot. So we’re always looking for actors like Michael Biehn
and Michael Paré
. I like those kinds of guys. Someone did it for me and I like to see if I can do it for them."
. It has been confirmed that Simon West
will direct the sequel.
at the Nu Boyana Film studios in Sofia
, with additional filming occurring in the city of Plovdiv
and the town of Bansko
. Other filming locations include Russia
, France
and China
. On October 9 Chuck Norris, Jason Statham and Arnold Schwarzenegger flew to Bulgaria to film their scenes. Filming is expected to conclude in December.
On October 27, 2011, while the 2nd Unit Stunt Team were filming on reservoir Ognyanovo, 15 miles outside of Sofia, stuntman Kun Lieu was killed and another, Nuo Sun, was left in critical condition during a staged explosion on a rubber boat. Sun underwent a five hour operation which left him in stable condition. On November 16, 2011, the production received a fine (of between $343-$3,440) from the Bulgarian environmental protection agency for unlawfully removing shrubs and small trees from the entrance of Devetashka Cave in Lovech Province
. Although permits had been obtained, allowing sets to be built in the area, including a bridge directly to the cave, environmentalists complained that filming may damage the cave, the habitat of approximately 40 endangered species. To avoid further problems, the producers agreed to not film explosions, car chases and fires near the cave. As part of Devetashka cave filming BGN
600,000 (approximately $408,762) was spent to rebuild a 114 meter bridge crossing from the cave over the river Osam
—only the concrete bridge columns remained of the original structure. Nu Boyana Film Studios announced that the bridge would remain after the completion of filming as a gift to Bulgaria.
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
directed by Simon West
Simon West
Simon West is an English-born film director. West started as a film editor with the BBC, then directed documentaries and commercials including many for Budweiser...
and written by David Agosto and Ken Kaufman based on a story by Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
. It is the sequel to the 2010 action film The Expendables
The Expendables (2010 film)
The Expendables is a 2010 American ensemble action film written by David Callaham and Sylvester Stallone, and directed by Stallone. Filming began on March 28, 2009, in Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, and the film was released in theaters on August 13, 2010 in North America.The film is...
, and stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham
Jason Statham
Jason Statham born 12 September1967) is an English actor and former diver, known for his roles in the Guy Ritchie crime films Revolver, Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels...
, Jet Li
Jet Li
The fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
, Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
, Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
, Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
, Terry Crews
Terry Crews
Terrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
, Liam Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth is an Australian actor. He took the role of Josh Taylor in the soap opera Neighbours and as "Marcus" on the children's television series The Elephant Princess and appeared in the American film The Last Song, released on 31 March 2010...
, Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
, Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
.
The film is scheduled for release on August 17, 2012.
Cast
- Sylvester StalloneSylvester StalloneMichael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
as Barney Ross - Jason StathamJason StathamJason Statham born 12 September1967) is an English actor and former diver, known for his roles in the Guy Ritchie crime films Revolver, Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels...
as Lee Christmas - Jet LiJet LiThe fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
as Yin Yang - Dolph LundgrenDolph LundgrenDolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
as Gunnar Jensen - Chuck NorrisChuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
as Booker - Randy CoutureRandy CoutureRandy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
as Toll Road - Terry CrewsTerry CrewsTerrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
as Hale Caesar - Liam HemsworthLiam HemsworthLiam Hemsworth is an Australian actor. He took the role of Josh Taylor in the soap opera Neighbours and as "Marcus" on the children's television series The Elephant Princess and appeared in the American film The Last Song, released on 31 March 2010...
as Timmons
- A sniper. Hemsworth was confirmed for the role on September 19, 2011.
- Jean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Van DammeJean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg , professionally known as Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a Belgian martial artist and actor, best known for his martial arts action films, the most successful of which include Bloodsport , Kickboxer , Double Impact , Universal Soldier , Hard Target , Timecop ,...
as Jean Vilain
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
- Main villain, leader of an opposing team of mercenaries. Van Damme had previously been offered a role in The Expendables but failed to come to an agreement with Stallone and ultimately never took part. Commenting on the role, Stallone said "We’ll have a big showdown between me and Van Damme, which has been anticipated for a long time, so it should be a good one."
- Bruce WillisBruce WillisWalter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
as Mr. Church
- Bruce Willis
- In late August 2011, Stallone stated his interest in having Willis return for a role in the sequel — expanding upon his brief cameo in the original — potentially as a "super villain". Willis was confirmed to be involved in a "substantial" role on September 6, 2011. Commenting on the film, Willis said "Hopefully, they'll start shooting it while we're young enough to survive."
- Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
as Trent Mauser
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Stallone noted his intention to have Schwarzenegger return for a sequel before the release of The Expendables, stating "If this works, I would love to get him in the next one". Schwarzenegger's involvement was confirmed on September 6, 2011, his "substantial" role expanding on his cameo in the original film. Schwarzenegger filmed his scenes in 4 days.
- Scott AdkinsScott AdkinsScott Adkins is an English actor and martial artist who is perhaps best known for playing Yuri Boyka in Undisputed II: Last Man Standing and Undisputed III: Redemption and Bradley Hume in Holby City and Ed Russell in Mile High...
as Hector
- Scott Adkins
- Jean Vilain's right hand man. Adkins was confirmed on September 22, 2011.
The cast is rounded out by Chinese actress Yu Nan
Yu Nan
Yu Nan is a Chinese actress. Born in Dalian, Yu Nan studied at the Beijing Film Academy, where she graduated in 1999.-In China:...
as Maggie, and Swedish actress Amanda Ooms
Amanda Ooms
Amanda Ooms is a Swedish actress and writer. She has acted in both film and TV in Sweden and internationally. She was born in Kalmar, Sweden.-Partial filmography:*1986 – Bröderna Mozart*1988 – Hotel St...
as Pilar, a sniper. Professional Tennis player Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who has been ranked world no. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals since 4 July 2011. He has won four Grand Slam singles titles: the 2008 and 2011 Australian Open, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2011 US Open...
has a cameo role as himself after being invited to participate by producer Avi Lerner
Avi Lerner
Avinoam Lerner is an Israeli-born film producer, primarily of American action movies.-Life and career:Lerner originally worked in movie theaters in Tel Aviv, but soon re-located to South Africa, where he produced several films in that country and also owned a chain of movie theaters there until he...
. Nikolette Noel will have the role as Timmon's wife.
In October 2010, Willis claimed that Steve Austin would also be returning to the series as villain Dan Paine. In November 2010, Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen
Carlos Irwin Estevez , better known by his stage name Charlie Sheen, is an American film and television actor. He is the youngest son of actor Martin Sheen....
was reported to be in consideration for the role of a Central Intelligence Agency
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
(CIA) agent hunting down Willis' character. In August 2011, Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
reported that actor, and expert martial-artist, Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
had been offered a role in the film. The role was a condition of a partnership between Nu Image/Millennium Films and an unnamed Chinese distributor that would see the distributor becoming a producer on the film in exchange for a Chinese actor being cast. The partnership was also considered to make a Chinese release of The Expendables 2 easier to achieve. In September 2011, Stallone confirmed that he was in talks with Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
and John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
, claiming the only obstacle to their involvement would be scheduling. In July 2011, Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter and retired boxer, who has appeared primarily as a leading man in action, drama, and thriller films....
was stated to be reprising his role as Tool, but by late September it was reported that he had dropped out of the film, and by October 18, 2011 this status was confirmed. Antonio Banderas
Antonio Banderas
José Antonio Domínguez Banderas , better known as Antonio Banderas, is a Spanish film actor, film director, film producer and singer...
was reportedly offered a role but was unable to participate due to other commitments.
On his approach to casting, Stallone explained that he was looking particularly for actors who had not experienced recent significant success in film, saying: "I like using people that had a moment and then maybe have fallen on some hard times and give them another shot. So we’re always looking for actors like Michael Biehn
Michael Biehn
Michael Connell Biehn is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in James Cameron's science fiction action films The Terminator as Kyle Reese, Aliens as Cpl. Dwayne Hicks, and The Abyss as Lt. Coffey. He has also acted in such films as Tombstone, The Rock, and Planet Terror...
and Michael Paré
Michael Paré
- Early life :Paré was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joan, a homemaker, and Francis Paré, who owned print shops. He had six sisters and three brothers. Paré's father was of French-Canadian ancestry and his mother of Irish ancestry....
. I like those kinds of guys. Someone did it for me and I like to see if I can do it for them."
Development
Prior to release, Stallone stated, "I have an idea ready to go" and "I'm going to try to do something that's quite radical". In an interview on August 15, 2010, he said that he does not have a new script yet, but "It's plotted out in my mind's eye." On April 18, 2011, Stallone confirmed that he would not be returning to direct or write The Expendables 2. David Agosto and Ken Kaufman have been hired to write the script based on a story by Stallone. Lionsgate confirmed at CinemaCon that the sequel will be in US theaters on August 17, 2012. A teaser poster for the film was released at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival2011 Cannes Film Festival
The 64th annual Cannes Film Festival was held from May 11 to May 22, 2011. American actor Robert De Niro served as the president of the jury for the main competition and French filmmaker Michel Gondry headed the jury for the short film competition...
. It has been confirmed that Simon West
Simon West
Simon West is an English-born film director. West started as a film editor with the BBC, then directed documentaries and commercials including many for Budweiser...
will direct the sequel.
Filming
On a $100M budget, principal photography began on September 29, 2011, focusing on stunts with the central stars beginning filming on October 3. Filming is scheduled to take place over 14 weeks, with early filming taking place in BulgariaBulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
at the Nu Boyana Film studios in Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, with additional filming occurring in the city of Plovdiv
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants according to Census 2011. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC; it is one of the oldest cities in Europe...
and the town of Bansko
Bansko
Bansko is a town and a popular ski resort in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 925 m above sea level....
. Other filming locations include Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. On October 9 Chuck Norris, Jason Statham and Arnold Schwarzenegger flew to Bulgaria to film their scenes. Filming is expected to conclude in December.
On October 27, 2011, while the 2nd Unit Stunt Team were filming on reservoir Ognyanovo, 15 miles outside of Sofia, stuntman Kun Lieu was killed and another, Nuo Sun, was left in critical condition during a staged explosion on a rubber boat. Sun underwent a five hour operation which left him in stable condition. On November 16, 2011, the production received a fine (of between $343-$3,440) from the Bulgarian environmental protection agency for unlawfully removing shrubs and small trees from the entrance of Devetashka Cave in Lovech Province
Lovech Province
Lovech Province is one of the 28 provinces of Bulgaria, lying at the northern centre of the country. It is named after its main city - Lovech. As of December 2009, the population of the area is 151,153.-Municipalities:...
. Although permits had been obtained, allowing sets to be built in the area, including a bridge directly to the cave, environmentalists complained that filming may damage the cave, the habitat of approximately 40 endangered species. To avoid further problems, the producers agreed to not film explosions, car chases and fires near the cave. As part of Devetashka cave filming BGN
Bulgarian lev
The lev is the currency of Bulgaria. It is divided in 100 stotinki . In archaic Bulgarian the word "lev" meant "lion".It is speculated that Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union will adopt the Euro in 2015 .- First lev, 1881–1952 :...
600,000 (approximately $408,762) was spent to rebuild a 114 meter bridge crossing from the cave over the river Osam
Osam
The Osam is a river in northern Bulgaria. Its drainage basin is in between that of the river Vit to the west and the Yantra system to the east. The river has two main tributaries in its upper course: the Black Osam takes its source from the foot of Levski Peak in the Balkan Mountains, at an...
—only the concrete bridge columns remained of the original structure. Nu Boyana Film Studios announced that the bridge would remain after the completion of filming as a gift to Bulgaria.