They’ve been on many a fans wishlist since the possibility of a sequel was even hinted at, and now it looks like the fans may be getting what they wished for; as Millennium Films have unveiled an official cast listing for The Expendables 2, which includes the names of both Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Chuck Norris.
Jean-Claude (JCVD) reportedly refused to join the first film; an homage to the action-movies of yester-year starring a number of its most beloved stars; for a number of reasons, but now appears to be joining Chuck Norris (Delta Force) in the sequel, alongside returning stars Sylvester Stallone (Rambo), Jason Statham (The Transporter), Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator), Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), and Jet Li (Unleashed).
Despite being the real driving force behind the first movie (not only starring in, but also writing, producing, and directing, it) Stallone has handed the directing duties over to Simon West (The Mechanic), and writing duties to David Agosto (Big Canyon) and Ken Kaufman (Space Cowboys), but will be returning as Barney Ross; to lead The Expendables of their next mission.
Millennium have also listed a plot summary for the movie; which consists of Tool (the character played by Mickey Rourke in the first movie, and “the heart and soul of the Expendables”) being brutally murdered, leading his friends to swear they’ll avenge him, and his daughter to do the same (before she gets kidnapped and has to be rescued by Barney and the gang); yet it’s a plot that Stallone himself recently debunked as being very “inaccurate.”
So until there’s an official confirmation from Lionsgate it might be worth treating the information as still being ‘subject to change’, yet it’s promising for fans to know that things are moving ahead, and that the cast list will be expanding to include some more recognizable stars; even if all the rumours of stars such as Steven Seagal, Vin Diesel, and Dwayne Johnson, appearing turn out to be unfounded.
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: Millennium Films (via Expendables Premiere).
