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SDCC: The Expendables Panel

Icons Unite to Kick Ass

By Robert T. Trate     July 26, 2010


The Expendables teaser poster
© Bob Trate

The Harry Knowles, of all people, moderated the manliest of panels at Comic Con, The Expendables. Though the entire cast was not present the director, writer, and star Sylvester Stallone (Rambo) was. Along for the adrenaline pumped ride were Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), Steve Austin (The Condemned), Randy Couture (Scorpion King: Rise of the Warrior) and Terry Crews (Gamer)”. It was hard not to get that crazy sense of awe that we were witnessing something special.
 
Casting:
When asked to be in a Stallone action flick how can anyone say no. There were of course a few scheduling conflicts as to why certain people are not in this film. This cast that is present is beyond any action flick aficionado’s dream. Yet what did they think when Stallone calls up and says, “hey yo… wanna be in my film?”
 
Terry Crews, who ripped his shirt off and stood on the table upon arriving at the panel, said that Stallone “had me at hello”. It is Stallone’s opinion that Crews has what it takes to be the next big action star. His one time co-star Dolph Lundgren replied that Stallone was enough. Stone Cold Steve Austin was thrilled to be apart of it, despite the fact that he is playing the villain. Yet what brought the crowd to a strange silence was Randy Couture. This MMA fighter was incredibly articulate, polite and was even referred to as a “gentlemen” by his fellow cast members. However the stunt crew would not single him out as their favorite person to work with according to Stallone.
 
3D?:
Stallone answered the popular question at the Con with a “no”, which was met with a thunderous applause. It simply had “too many restrictions” and he thought it would be better to shoot The Expendables “old school in the classical way”. Again the crowd more than approved.
 
The DVD and Blu-ray:
This is the kind of film that if you actually pull it off can be unbelievable. After acknowledging his age Stallone felt it necessary to document the film properly. What will be interesting is if the numerous trips to the hospital will be included as well. As it is with any action film they were plagued with injuries. Steve Austin put Stallone into the hospital requiring several pins to be placed in his neck. Crews learned that there is no such thing as “movie fire” and that it is all very real after having his face singed. The best bit of information to emerge from the panel was that it was Bruce Willis’ (who popped his head in during) idea to have that scene with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stallone and himself. If the story of the film rivals that of the stories from the panel it does have the potential to be an incredibly entertaining documentary.
 
Footage:
Two scenes, along with a new trailer were shown at Comic Con. The first scene was called “The Tunnel Fight”. Stallone was surprised, as we all were later, that Comic Con did not have them edit any of it for the panel. Piranha 3D was considered too hot for Comic Con (as this is a family event) and was screened off site. The footage for The Expendables was an action junkie’s dream and Jason Statham was unfucking believable. Theoriginal Expendables trailer had that look of being incredibly lame or incredibly awesome. We here at Mania are happy to report the latter. The second scene shown is featured in the trailer with Statham on the nose of the plane. What transpires a few seconds later is too damn good to spoil.
 
Surreal Moment of the Panel:
Our columnist Robert Trate was on hand at the panel. What some of you might not know is that Robert is from Philadelphia. In Philly (as they call it) Rocky Balboa is considered to be a real life person. Ask a native who the Heavyweight Champion of the World is and you’ll get “Rocky Balboa”. Well Robert’s surreal moment of the day came when Stallone walked on stage and the crowd starting cheering “Rocky… Rocky”. To actually have Rocky in the room and hear the cheer was his surreal moment.
 
Mania’s Take:
This collection of action stars rivals films like The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. Each had a persona to bring to the screen yet one could not help but feel as if egos were checked at the door. Stallone might have captured lighting in a bottle and August 13th cannot get here soon enough.
 
Robert Trate writes two weekly columns for Mania the DVD Shopping Bag and the Toy Maniac. Look for his coverage of The Walking Dead, The Expendables and the JJ Abrams/ Joss Whedon Comic Con panels.
 

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COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

Showing items 1 - 10 of 12
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jedibanner 7/26/2010 5:33:52 AM

ahhh, see, if Stallone gets it, NO 3D  KIDDY CRAP!!!

Can't wait for this, CAN'T WAIT!!!

Calibur454 7/26/2010 6:32:51 AM

yea yea yea yea I will love this one. I grew up on martial arts and action movies i cant freaking wait

Wiseguy 7/26/2010 7:08:10 AM

I really wasn't expecting much from this film but Rob actually got me a little bit enthused right now.

themovielord 7/26/2010 7:58:18 AM

Wisegy, there was crazy energy at that panel.... This movie has to awesome... it hust has to be! Completely opposite of the RED panel with Bruce Willis - Robert

CaptAmerica04 7/26/2010 9:37:32 AM

I CANNOT wait for this!!

6dra6on6 7/26/2010 2:28:38 PM

August 13 is my birthday and I can't ask for a better present. On to the 3D hate... I don't get it. So many complain and whine about movies being made in 3D but you go to the theater and you have the choice of 3D or flat. So, what's all the bitching about?

DarthDuck 7/26/2010 2:40:44 PM

I'll be at Star Wars Celebration that weekend but I'm looking to see this as soon as I get home!

Chopsaki 7/26/2010 5:36:07 PM

Robert T. Trate: "Yet what brought the crowd to a strange silence was Randy Couture. This MMA fighter was incredibly articulate, polite and was even referred to as a “gentlemen” by his fellow cast members. However the stunt crew would not single him out as their favorite person to work with according to Stallone."

I wonder how many stunt guys got smacked by Couture, you got my psyched to see this. Interesting, the concensus at sdcc seems to be anti 3-D. Or am I reading too much into that.

Wiseguy 7/26/2010 5:56:41 PM

I think, I wasn't there, that Rob is the one reading too much into that. I think his bias is making him hear what he wants to hear. Just my opinion based on that I have yet to read the same thing anywhere else yet Rob seems to have made a point of pointing this out.

dragonrojo38 7/27/2010 7:32:51 AM

I think the expandibles will not live to its hype. Now a days, they show all the best scenes on the trailers, so when you watch the actual movie, it dissapoints big time. I have been dissapointed too many times to believe that an action movie will deliver. I have seen many movies with superstars in it but storywise, they have been very dissapointing. A good example of a movie that had good trailers but sucked big time was Van Damme's Street Fighter. I thought that was the worst movie I have ever seen. It was super cheesy. The trailers were great, couldn't wait to see it. Huge Disappointment.

In my opinion, one of the best action movies I have ever seen is Universal Soldier: The Return. It had an action star cast, Van Damme, Goldberg, and Michael J White. Sure, the story was dumb but it had great action. In fact too much action and cheezy dialogues. It is still my favorite despite of what the critics say. You can't compare it to the original because there is nothing to compare. Storywise, the first was better, action wise, the second one ruled.

I heard rumors that Van Damme turned down the Expandibles. Are the rumors true or is it just publicity?

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