Now we are a die-hard Expendables fan. And we have been waiting for the fourth entry of the franchise for more than seven years. Every time we thought that the movie could be happening, something unfortunate happened. And the movie got stalled! But we think that the wheels are turning, and we might be very near to getting a fourth Expendables movie. Or how Sylvester Stallone called it in his Instagram post, a spinoff.
Sylvester Stallone recently confirmed in his Instagram post that the principal photography for the new Expendables spinoff will begin in October later this year. And the working title for the movie is Christmas Story.
Now, this is still unclear that the working title Christmas Story is similar to working titles of the movies such as Matrix 4 was called Project Ice Cream, Star Wars was called Blue Harvest, and more. However, we are very excited to get a The Expendables Christmas Story or A Very Merry Expendables Christmas Story.
Since the movie is called a spinoff, it is unclear what the storyline of the new movie could be. Being a spinoff, the movie will certainly not focus on the original Expendables story. Maybe it could explore new characters and the subsequent storyline. However, it is for sure that Sylvester Stallone will star in the movie. But the story will probably not focus on him or previous characters. This explains why the movie is being called a spinoff.
When the fourth entry of the movie was supposed to have gone to the floor, Sylvester Stallone wasn’t interested. Now we agree that the movie gave us an amazing and powerful ensemble cast, without Sylvester Stallone, it didn’t make much sense to have Expendables. But like we said whenever the movie would resurrect, the fate would be unclear.
Initially, in 2018, there was some hope that we will get Expendables 4, but the project was shelved. In 2020, we again had some hope. However, the pandemic just washed everything away and nobody was thinking of making movies again.
A month ago, Sylvester Stallone confirmed that the movie will be finally happening but at the time he called it Expendables 4 however, he has now called it a spinoff. But it doesn’t matter what you call it, Expendables 4 or a spinoff, the good thing is that it is finally happening.
Frequently asked questions
What did Sylvester Stallone confirm about the next Expendables project?
Stallone used his own Instagram account to confirm that a new Expendables film was moving ahead, with principal photography set to begin in October 2021. He also confirmed he would appear in it, and referred to the project as a spinoff rather than a straight fourth instalment.
Why had the franchise stalled before this announcement?
A fourth Expendables entry had been shelved since 2018, and the coronavirus shutdowns of 2020 pushed development back further. An earlier attempt to build the film without Stallone did not advance, leaving the series dormant until this production start was set.
How did the project eventually reach cinemas?
The film shot from late 2021 and was released as Expend4bles on 22 September 2023, directed by Scott Waugh. Stallone returned as Barney Ross alongside Jason Statham, and Statham’s character carried the bulk of the story rather than the original ensemble.
