It’s been over two years since Lionsgate releasedThe Expendables 3, and since then, we’ve heard a number of different reports about the next follow-up,The Expendables 4. One report even claimed that legendary boxerManny Pacquiaowas being eyed to star in the sequel, butSylvester Stalloneshot down those rumors. Still, it’s been quite some time since there has been any updates. Now, the movie is confirmed to be moving forward, with foreign distributor Splendid Film picking up the distribution rights across all of German-speaking Europe, with a release date slated for sometime in 2018. It will be the final sequel for this action franchise.
The Hollywood Reporterreveals that the German distributor previously distributed the first threeExpendables movies, which have earned roughly $30 million combined at the German box office. Even with a German distributor secured, it hasn’t been confirmed if Lionsgate will distribute this franchise-ending sequel domestically, like they did with the first three movies. It also remains to be seen if this final film will stop the franchise’s downward box office trend, after opening big with the first movie.
2010’sThe Expendablestook in a healthy $103 million domestically and another $171.4 million overseas for a worldwide total of $274.4 million worldwide, from an $80 million budget.Sylvester Stallonewrote, directed and starred in this action-thriller, leading an all-star cast of action icons such asJason Statham,Jet Li,Dolph Lundgren,Randy Couture,Terry CrewsandSteve Austin.The Expendables 2followed just two years later, withArnold SchwarzeneggerandBruce Willisgetting larger roles after having extended cameos in the first, alongsideJean-Claude Van Dammeas the villain. The sequel dropped a bit domestically ($85 million) but increased internationally ($229.9 million) for a worldwide total of $314.9 million, from a $100 million budget.
The last installment, 2014’sThe Expendables 3, took a big step back, financially at least, which is even more surprising considering they ditched the R rating in favorable of reaching a wider audience with a PG-13 rating. That gamble did not pay off, withThe Expendables 3taking in a franchise low $39.3 million domestically and $175.3 million internationally for a worldwide total of $214.6 million, although the budget figures were not disclosed. This action sequel broughtMel Gibsoninto the fold as themain villain, with other new additions such asWesley Snipes,Harrison FordandKelsey Grammer.
The last we heard about thisaction sequelwas that it was eyeing a 2017 release, and that it may be partially shot in China, with production company Nu Image / Millennium striking a deal with China last October. It isn’t known ifThe Expendables 3directorPatrick Hugheswill return to the helm, or if franchise creator/starSylvester Stallonewill come back to the director’s chair. No cast members have been confirmed at this time, but with foreign distributors being lined up, we may hear more onThe Expendables 4soon. Splendid has also acquired the rights to awards season favoriteMoonlight, along with a number of upcoming films. Splendid has picked up directorNancy Meyers’Home AgainstarringReese WitherspoonandCandice Bergenalong with theSpeirig Brothers' (Daybreakers,Predestination) horror-thrillerWinchester, starringHelen Mirren. The company has also picked upStoicstarringAntonio Banderasand the crime dramaUnchained, starringJohn MalkovichandAdrien Brody.
