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Easter eggs
Hidden details in every movie and series: 12 in total. Tap a poster to see its eggs. Titles you haven't marked as seen stay locked so nothing gets spoiled.
- Referencenod to comics or other movies
- Cameoa familiar face shows up
- Setupplanted now, pays off later
- Behind the scenesproduction trivia
- Behind the scenesBefore it was The Expendables, it was Barrow
The original script was called Barrow, written by David Callaham for Warner in 2005. Sylvester Stallone, who wanted an ensemble film, read the third draft and used it as a starting point.
source ↗ - CameoVan Damme said no
Stallone offered Jean-Claude Van Damme a role, but he turned it down because the character lacked substance. He later regretted it and played the villain Jean Vilain in the sequel.
source ↗ - CameoFour names for Hale Caesar
The role of Hale Caesar was first conceived for Wesley Snipes, who couldn't leave the US over tax issues. It passed through Forest Whitaker and 50 Cent before landing with Terry Crews, a former NFL player.
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- Behind the scenesStallone steps back from directing
A sequel was already planned before the first film opened. In April 2011 Stallone confirmed he wouldn't direct again, and in June Simon West was announced as director.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesChinese money that fell through
A deal with a Chinese distributor, which called for Donnie Yen to be cast, fell apart before shooting. Another Chinese studio, Le Vision Pictures, invested, and Lionsgate bought the US and UK rights for $35 million.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesThe PG-13 idea
In January 2012, Stallone confirmed the film might be PG-13. According to reports at the time, the change was requested by Chuck Norris, who disliked the swearing. The reaction was negative, and the finished film was rated R.
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- Behind the scenesA wish list
In 2012, producer Avi Lerner said Nicolas Cage had signed, and the studio approached Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford and Wesley Snipes. Chuck Norris said he wouldn't return. Ford, Snipes, Mel Gibson and Arnold Schwarzenegger ended up in the cast.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesPG-13, to fans' dismay
Unlike the first two, this film got a PG-13 rating instead of an R, which upset many of the franchise's fans.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesIt leaked before release
The film leaked online three weeks before its release. It made $214.7 million worldwide on an estimated $90 to $100 million budget, the lowest grosser of the franchise until then.
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- Behind the scenesThe film Stallone left and came back to
In December 2016, Stallone said the fourth would be the series' last. In March 2017 he left over creative differences, and in January 2018, after support from other cast members including Arnold Schwarzenegger, he announced his return.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesA change of director
Patrick Hughes, director of the third film, was announced again in 2020. In 2021 Scott Waugh replaced him, and Jason Statham also came on as a producer. Dolph Lundgren said the budget was $100 million.
source ↗ - Behind the scenesA flop and the Razzies
The film grossed $51 million worldwide against a $100 million budget. It earned seven Golden Raspberry nominations and won two, for Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Supporting Actress.
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