The Expendables franchise has carved its place in the modern action genre, but it has not been without its criticisms. One common complaint throughout the original three movies was the lack of female representation in the team. However, The Expendables 4, also known as Expend4bles, is set to rectify this issue and bring some much-needed diversity to the ensemble.
Despite the mixed critical reception, the first three Expendables films were moderate box office successes, thanks in part to the star power of Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Randy Couture, and Dolph Lundgren. The franchise has always been known for its stacked cast, and Expend4bles is no exception. Alongside the returning veterans, the film introduces new additions such as 50 Cent, Andy Garcia, and Iko Uwais, which has generated excitement among genre fans.
However, the most noteworthy newcomers to the cast are Megan Fox and Levy Tran, marking a significant departure from the franchise’s previous male-dominated lineup. Both actresses are prominently featured in the official trailer, demonstrating their action prowess. Fox has already proven her chops in action films like the Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchises, while Tran has showcased her skills in The First Purge and the MacGyver TV reboot. Joining them is Sheila Shah, who previously appeared alongside Stallone in Rambo: Last Blood.
The inclusion of these female characters in Expend4bles is a significant step forward for the franchise. In the past, there were attempts to develop an all-female spinoff called “The Expendabelles.” However, the project faced major hurdles and was ultimately canceled. The original concept, which involved the team posing as sex workers, drew heavy criticism and was widely mocked. Millennium Films, the producers behind the spinoff, struggled to justify the concept and eventually abandoned the project.
Jeffrey Greenstein, an executive at Millennium Films, admitted in 2022 that the spinoff had been officially scrapped. Reflecting on the project, Greenstein acknowledged the difficulty in justifying a separate all-female team and questioned why there couldn’t be women as part of the regular team. While Expend4bles takes a step in the right direction, it still misses an opportunity to cast renowned female action icons like Milla Jovovich, Michelle Yeoh, Ming-Na Wen, Lucy Liu, Linda Hamilton, Michelle Rodriguez, and Angelina Jolie, who could bring equal excitement to the theaters.
As the release of Expend4bles approaches, fans eagerly anticipate how the inclusion of these new female characters will enhance the dynamic of the team. The Expendables franchise has listened to the audience’s feedback and aims to deliver a more inclusive and diverse action experience.