We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we couldn’t be more pumped for Sylvester Stallone’s all-star action extravaganza, The Expendables. If you’ve been tracking this pecs-pumping, pyrotechnics-palooza with us, then you’re already hip to the summer 2010 film’s hulking, Who’s Who he-man cast (Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, etc.). You’ve also seen the early photos of a tattooed and totally ripped Stallone and heard that Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger would drop by for cameo appearances, pretty much cementing the film as a one-stop shopping site for ’80s blow-’em-up blockbuster lovers. And, more recently, you’ve been with us as we shared the movie’s rowdy, red-meat trailers. Well, now we have something new on The Expendables front — an exclusive from the director and star of the film: Stallone himself.
Recently, we reached the Rambo star by phone as he was taking a break from watching the dailies of his mercenaries-on-a-mission flick. And the scene he was watching was none other than the one that every card-carrying action aficionado has been awaiting with baited breath — the scene that finally brings together the holy trinity of ’80s tentpoles: Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Here’s what Sly had to say…
“I was just looking at the dailies, saying, ‘Jesus, this is amazing!’ I talked about this scene with these guys for a long time, but I never thought it would come to fruition.”
Stallone said the superstar-summit scene takes place in a church, where Willis’ nasty antagonist has summoned Stallone’s macho mercenary to finally meet him face-to-face, take measure of him, and possibly hire him for a death-defying mission. But just as the meeting gets under way and smartass smalltalk is made, in walks another killer-for-hire — Stallone’s longtime rival, who Willis has also invited to this job interview: Ah-nuld.
“Bruce says ‘Well, there’s one other person I want to talk to before I hire you,” says Stallone. “And then Arnold, who plays my old rival, walks in. We have a history together. And we go back and forth and I tell him that I should have shot him a long time ago when I had the chance. Then it goes on from there. And here we are, the three of us trying to man up to one another, playing off of who we are, using our baggage in this one scene.”
Stallone says that big scene with Willis, Schwarzenegger, and himself would amount to more than a cameo or a stunt in the final cut of the film. “It’s probably going to be about 5 minutes of screen time.” Which, if you think about it, is kind of impressive considering that Willis and Schwarzenegger were only on the L.A. set for 6 hours. “We only had them for that one day and then Bruce had to go off to Istanbul and Arnold had to go back and do his governmental stuff. But I was impressed because they got up at 5:30 in the morning to do this.”
When asked if the Governator was rusty since he hasn’t been on screen since 2004’s Around the World in 80 Days and has spent most of his time in Sacramento, Stallone laughs and says no. “It’s like riding a bicycle.” Then he adds, “It’s funny because between the three of us, if you add up all the box office and DVD rentals and all of that, there’s like $15 billion in that one scene!”
While we won’t vouch for Stallone’s math, we’re pretty positive that we’ll be adding another ten bucks to that tally when The Expendables opens next August.
If you haven’t seen the latest trailer for The Expendables yet, you can check it out below. In the meantime, let us know what you think. Are you looking forward to the movie? Are you excited to see these three share the screen together?
Comments (1-30) of 64 Add your comment
hell yeah
Aren’t these guys like 70 years old now?
Why do people always make moronic comments like that? Please explain in detail precisely what their age has to do with anything?
Why must people always bring up age? Who cares how old they are. One day, you will be old too. The difference is, when you get old, no one will give a crap about you!
Sorry, not a fan of any of them, but I can see why the guys out there will love this film.
You’re OLD too, aren’t you Tommy????
hey, im a woman and this looks good! i love statham and li! only wish they couldve had van damme and jackie chan and more arnold and willis! but hey cant have every action star in one movie! maybe expendables 2 if it does well?
So, this is a chick flick. Right?
“No Gurlz Alloud!”
I’m a chick. I FULLY intend to see this. So, um, yeah! I’m going with chick flick on this one.
I was expecting Rick Moranis to be in this too. Darn.
And don’t leave out Pauly Shore dagnabbit!
Wow, that Sly/Arnold/Willis scene sounds freakin AWESOME. I figured it would just be Arnold playing a general or something, but I love the idea of him and Sly being old rivals up for the same job.
I hope the scene pays off for him. Willis is worth it; Arnold probably needs to show he still have chops of sorts.
Still???
Ive been looking forward to see this since i heard about it.
The trailer doesn’t look that good but I know the movie is going to be awesome.
I don’t care how bad this movie is going to be (or not), I’m going to be there opening day. Counting on Snakes On A Plane, hoping for Inglorious Basterds.
This movie looks straight out of 1986. I’ll be there!
looking forward to seeing this one.
The trailer looks horrendous. But Im sure Ill still go see it.
This is gonna ROCK! Props to EW for ACTUALLY covering a Stallone flick! Wow, times are changing!
Here’s a story for you: this movie is most definitely racist. I caught exactly one role for a black man (no black women of course) and he says things like “S—’s gettin’ old!” Jet Li, one of the only living Asian film stars that Americans will see, is there for the purpose of being Asian. We’re meant to laugh at the fact that he can’t speak English. “I could have winned.” “Winned?” Those Orientals are crazy! I can’t even imagine what the final product will be like. Give up the ethnocentric BS Stallone- we’ve got your number.
tey would have had snipes but isnt he in jail……racist? stop bitching
With less than three hours to go, Adam wins “Most Idiotic Internet Comment” for October ‘09! You made it just before the deadline, buddy!
no…actually you did.
how did josh meet the october ‘09 “most idiotic internet comment” deadline? he posted his comment in november, doucher.
Would you mind telling me what about it is dumb instead of just asserting that it is dumb? If you have a reason, then by all means, let’s hear it.
Hey Mike…did I ask for your help loser??????
There’s nothing racist about it. Where are all of these obsessive accusers when white people are being profiled in mean spirited ways? Then a film comes along with a few jokes in it and people throw a fit. I’m really sure Terry Crews and Jet Li would agree to be in a film that is racist.
So your argument consists of, “no it isn’t,” “sometimes there’s racism against white people too,” “these are just jokes,” and “minorities wouldn’t be in a film that represents them in a racist manner?” To that I would say, in order: that isn’t an argument, stereotyped portrayals of white people are historically new and do not excuse overly generalized depictions of any ethnicity by anyone, humor does not change the fact that the subject matter is bigoted, and Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar for “Gone With The Wind” and also appeared in “Song of the South.”
Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong.
I love Rourke, I love Roberts, I love Arnold….I’ll go.
We can slice it anyway we want, but this movie will be as multi-racial as most other movies. There’s always the token black guy, the Asian guy, etc, etc. No different! We can bitch all we want and yet, we will all be in line opening night! The funny thing is how peeps are no longer ragging on Sly for his age. I remember when “Rocky Balboa” was set to premiere, there were so many groans and ‘age’ sarcasms tossed all over the web. Anyway, I’m glad Sly’s still around and hopefully he brings us the next big action franchise!!!!
That looks ridiculous! I wanna see it!
Listen up, EW editors: This better be your cover story on the magazine when the movie comes out! Statham, Li, Willis, Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Roberts in the same movie? I am a woman, and this will be a dream come true! Thank you, Sly; you are a genius!
I dunno, but I’m so going to be there, cannot wait.
My girlfriend is more excited about this film than I am. Then again, she hates the usual chick flicks, soapy dramas and shows that are usually targeted at women. So not much of a surprise there. I myself am looking forward to disasterfest “2012″.
They better find a way to have Rainier Wolfcastle in it some how.
If it’s got Statham it must be great!
WoW. This is my kind of movie. I love all these actors. I love a movie that don’t stop from the time you get in your seat to watch, and this definitely isn’t a fluff movie for chicks.
I don’t know , It looks like any other Sly movie. I never thought Stallone could act. I will see the movie because of the other actors. They will make Stallone’s bad acting look good. And to Adam on your racist crap. When are you people gonna get over this whiny about never being this and that . It is getting very very old. I want to no why we aren’t in the Miss Black beauty pageant, or have our own Caucasian awards show get my drift.
If you don’t think he can act than you obviously have never seen interviews with him and had the opportunity to compare the man to his fictional characters. Anyone who thinks he can’t act hasn’t seen many of his films, that’s for sure.
What a cast love them all and in an action show to boot. Jet Li’s moves in what ever he plays. Statham has just kept growing in stature. What can I say about Willis except one of the best in what ever movie he is in. Always loved Arnold & Stallone is Stallone. I am female and this acton movie is the kind of movie I enjoy along with scifi & fantasy. The normal chick flicks are few and far between for me. My husband & I are pretty much together in our choice of movies.
Wow… this movie seems like it’s full of bad accents.
For the record, that’s not an official trailer. It was likely created to sell the movie to investors, theater owners, etc. It wasn’t made for public consumption.
I am female and this looks like something I would enjoy . I love senseless action the more that blows up the better . The scene with Stallone , Willis and Arnold sounds fun it will be great seeing them all together .
Too bad Stallone asked Van Damme to be in it and he turned it down because he didnt know what he would be playing. What a dumbazz Van Damme is……what movie has he made lately? LOL
‘Watch 80s music videos and 80s stuff on defSpot com’
Van Damme turned it down? Wow, I bet he’s sorry now. What a fool!