Bookmark this on Delicious
So Mr. Willis and Mr. Schwarzenegger have signed the papers and will be performing substantial roles this time around. Of course there’s a lot of ambiguity about the word
substantial, as used to describe the roles the 2 action legends will have in
this film. You can be an important and substantial character without a huge
amount of screen time; witness Idris Elba’s impressive turn in this year’s Thor
for example. Definitely a very important, ‘substantial’ character, but that
didn’t mean he had the lion’s share of the screen time. Still for those who
were only basing the level of Arnie and Bruce’s involvement in The Expendables from
the trailers, and were hence extremely surprised when the film ended with
barely a glimpse of either, this should prove welcome news.
 |
| Prime Arnie |
 |
| Contemporary Willis |
I remain unconvinced that the movie going world is as
desperate for a return to the big screen of the ex-Governor of L.A (yes California) as we would
be led to believe. (certainly a fair number of men of ‘a certain age’ will be
looking forward to it, but his choice and quality of movie before he went on sabbatical
wasn’t drawing the crowds.) That said this movie, much as we expect The Avengers
to be next summer, should prove much more than the sum of its, not
inconsiderable, parts. Willis continues to be a draw in the right role and has
3 likely hits on the way in Die Hard 5, R.E.D 2 and G.I Joe 2 (as Joe himself).
 |
| Chuck Norris |
With Sylester Stallone returning, alongside Jason Statham,
Jet Li (apparently) and Dolph Lungdren, Mickey Rourke and Terry Crews the film
stands every chance of besting the impressive $275m take of the first movie. Especially
with Stallone not doing everything it should have a little more focus and, yes,
action. Rumours persist about the adding of Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck
Norris to the mix.
 |
| Prime Van Damme |
Personally I still think adding Jackie Chan to the cast
would help matters greatly, both in terms of an extra dose of appeal,
especially (Ironically given his age) with younger film goers and his undoubted
skills as choreographer of stunning and original fight scenes: and I’m still
marvelling at the total and utter ignoring of the extra bums on seats that
putting some of the premium female action talent around into this film would
add. Where’s Michelle Yeoh? (Off doing ‘better’ things I know) but surely a
film that reunited Chan and Yeoh as well as Willis and Jovovich would attract
a wider audience? What? Oh, can’t water down the testosterone eh? OK then, Tony
Jaa anyone? (Carl Weathers (Rocky I-III, Pedator and Michael Jai White (Spawn, Dark Knight, Black Dynamite) were kind of born for this too
right?)
 |
| Chan's still the Man |
 |
| Tony Jaa |
The expendables 2 is being directed by Simon West (Con Air,
The Mechanic, The General’s Daughter) and is due to kick ass & take names
on the 17th of August 2012. So far women and men under 40 are
extremely optional; both onscreen and in the audience!
 |
| Michelle Yeoh |
 |
| So much more than a pretty face |
No comments:
Post a Comment