Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables franchise is one of the most popular action franchises that features some of the biggest action heroes of the past. The franchise featured names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and many more. The franchise has featured 4 films. Viewers of the films have enjoyed every bit of the film, as it was an outstanding action film. However, the franchise had initially some different plans by its creator which was the polar opposite of what fans have watched.
Initially, Sylvester Stallone envisioned that the first film of The Expendables franchise would be a comedy film. The Italian Stallion’s original plan changed midway through directing the film, but had he continued with his idea of a comedy action, it would have been very different and it would have been the perfect franchise for Jackie Chan to be there.
Sylvester Stallone Had A Different Plan For The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone is not only a remarkable actor, but also a renowned filmmaker, and his project, The Expendables has turned out to be one of the most profitable action flicks that has featured some of the best action scenes that have mesmerized its viewers. However, the Tulsa King actor wanted his film to be a different kind of action film, something people had never seen him doing.
During an exclusive interview with Nola, the Rocky actor shared his desire to create a satirical film, but changed it constantly until he decided to stick to one genre.
“This started out as a dark comedy; it started out as a satire. Then we thought, ‘Let’s make a really hard R’ — then I go back. It constantly was being just brutally changed. It wasn’t until a week before filming that I said, ‘Let’s just make it this kind of movie.’”
It would have been a great idea if Stallone had continued with the idea of an action comedy film, it would have also featured Jackie Chan, as he is the greatest Martial Arts action hero that the world has seen.
Sylvester Stallone Isn’t Furious At Arnold Schwarzenegger Leaving The Expendables Franchise
For ages, fans wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to see together on the same screen. However, they could not get the right project to work together until Stallone created his action franchise. During an exclusive interview with Collider, Schwarzenegger explained that Sylvester Stallone came up to him and asked him to be a part of his action franchise, The Expendables.
“And then, one day, I was sitting at my hairdresser and Sly [Stallone] came up to me and said, ‘Oh, man, it would be so great, if you could just do a little something in my Expendables movie.’ I said, ‘The only way I can do anything for you is if I do it on the weekend, and not take away my work for the people.’”
However, in a different interview with Parade, The Austrian Oak shared that Stallone has no feelings of anger towards him for leaving the franchise.
“It’s done and I’m not in it. I said, ‘You know what, we have done this and I’m out of it.’ And [Stallone] really understood. I did [the first Expendables] as a favor to Sly. I shot it on a Saturday for two hours quickly in a church with Bruce Willis. Sly said, ‘Oh, can you do Expendables 2?’ And I did that for a weekend. Then it was expanded for Expendables 3. And that was it.”
Though they shared the screen for only two films, it was great to see the action icons together, and they completed their fans’ wish of sharing the big screen.