By: John M Jerva

It goes without saying that one of the most anticipated action movies of 2022 has to be the return of Barney Ross and The Expendables. After the misfire with the third film, fans are hoping that they right the wrongs and deliver a heavy R rated actioner full of bullets, explosions and hand to hand supremacy.

Expendables 4 looks to start a new chapter in the franchise with Stallone stepping aside and giving the lead to Jason Statham. Although this one id light on action star talent, the ones that are in the film should satisfy the masses.

CinemaCon is currently wrapping up in Las Vegas and many highly anticipated films showed off first look footage. Unfortunately, none of it had made it to the net so we wait.

Expendables 4 did show off a little taste of what’s to come for fans and a description of what was screened has made its way online courtesy of Slash Film. Check out the details and a description of what was seen below!

The footage begins with Sylvester Stallone saying that this life isn’t for everyone, meaning that being an Expendable isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. He then crashes an airplane through a train tunnel, which either illustrates or negates his point depending on your point of view. Statham tries to stop him with a quick “you’re not doing what I think you’re doing,” but of course he is, and the crash cuts to a flashback of footage from the previous three films. Text across the screen over the footage reads: “It Was All A Warmup for This.”

The article also states that each of the returning characters as well as the new additions got a little bit of the spotlight in the teaser.

Each of the new stars got a quick introduction, with footage of Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Megan Fox, and Dolph Lundgren. Fox and Statham have some flirty, fighty foreplay on a couch, Lundgren looks appropriately badass astride a motorcycle, and Uwais shows off his high-kick skills by introducing his foot to some bad guy’s skull. There’s a big explosion, because this is an “Expendables,” after all, and then the footage ends. It sounds like “Expendables 4” is going to be bigger and better than the previous films.

It sounds like Lionsgate is keeping the good stuff top secret right now and we still don’t have an official plot to the movie either. The movie is hopefully going to hit this year so as soon as we get our own first look at the film, you’ll definitely see it here.

We did get the opportunity to see an extended poster showcasing the cast at the event and you can see it below!

It does bode well that veteran stunt professional and coordinator Scott Waugh is at the helm so hopefully the set pieces will be elevated. Waugh is best known for Act of Valor which was the military action film that featured real life active Navy SEALS. Waugh comes from the traditional action mode and has definitely proven that he can shoot action and especially cinema caliber firefights so I’m on board with his hiring.

Adding Asian powerhouses Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais certainly is a positive note and fans are hoping for some full throttle action sequences. The two action stars’ foray into Western action films have been hit or miss with more of the latter so fans are hoping that they are utilized to the best of their abilities. 

Sylvester Stallone is back with Jason Statham, Randy Couture and, of course, Lundgren as the original cast. Sly has passed the torch to Statham and will only be in the film as more of an extended cameo from the looks of it. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle that aspect of the plot as details are still under lock and key. Other new additions include Megan Fox, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Andy Garcia.

Lastly, let me just say that everyone has built this franchise up to be the Holy Grail of action from day one which unfortunately no movie could ever measure up too. Its just a fun bunch of adrenaline fueled films that deliver a wink and a nudge to the genre and where action stars get together and blow shit up.

Expendables 4 is currently in post so hopefully we will get word soon on a potential release date. I think I speak for us all when I say I am literally jonesing for first look footage on this one. Stay tuned…

Keep it locked and loaded right here for more on The Expendables as we are your destination for everything action in 2022 and beyond!

Source: Slash Film