Why Jean-Claude Van Damme Rejected The Expendables (But Accepted The Sequel) (2024)

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Why Jean-Claude Van Damme Rejected The Expendables (But Accepted The Sequel)? ›

Van Damme turned down a role in 'The Expendables 1′ because his character was “a flat and undeveloped” Jean-Claude Van Damme himself was the one who revealed in an interview for the medium Filmstalker that he turned down a role in the first film of the saga 'The Expendables', directed and starring Sylvester Stallone.

Wesley Snipes was originally offered the role of Hale Caesar, but was forced to turn it down due to serving a three-year sentence for tax evasion, which is referenced in the third film. Once he was released, Stallone offered him the role of Doc.

Key characters like Mickey Rourke's Tool and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Trench have left the Expendables saga. Jet Li's exit from Expendables 2 was due to scheduling conflicts, signaling a shift in the franchise's lineup.

The lack of commercial success ultimately led the streaming platform to make the difficult decision to cancel Jean Claude Van Johnson, as it did not meet their viewership and profitability expectations.

Who is not returning for Expendables 4? Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, and Glenn Powell are notably absent as members of the Expendables team in the latest installment, despite hints in the previous movie that they might return.

Van Damme turned down a role in 'The Expendables 1′ because his character was “a flat and undeveloped” Jean-Claude Van Damme himself was the one who revealed in an interview for the medium Filmstalker that he turned down a role in the first film of the saga 'The Expendables', directed and starring Sylvester Stallone.

Notable actors like Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Terry Crews, Jet Li, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have departed from the franchise, while new actors like Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Andy Garcia join the ensemble for the fourth installment.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Willis demanded $1 million (£645,000) PER DAY. He was needed on set for four days. A source close to the production told the most reputable magazine: “He said he'd drop out unless he got $4 million.

Chan, who was reportedly offered The Expendables 2 and 3, apparently felt that his presence in the movie would have been overshadowed by other stalwarts like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

In a 2014 interview for the Big Issue media, and with 'The Expendables 3′ about to be released, Seagal revealed why he has never appeared in a movie of this blockbuster saga created by Stallone. Basically, the actor claimed that he didn't like a lot of the people who participated in those movies.

What is Jean-Claude Van Damme doing now? ›

In addition to freeing himself of his drug addiction, Van Damme has found new acting opportunities, lending his voice talent to the Kung Fu Panda series and starring in the latest additions to both the Universal Soldier and Kickboxer franchises.

Personal life. By the mid-1990s, the stress of the constant filming and promotion of his films, as Van Damme explains, led him to develop a cocaine habit, on which he spent up to $10,000 a week, and consuming up to 10 grams per day by 1996.

His reasoning for not wanting to come back is tied to the growing workload that the franchise asked of him. He stated that he only did the first Expendables as "a favor to Sly" and shot his scene in one day. With the sequels adding him in even more, Arnie wanted to avoid the same happening in Expendables 4.

Expend4bles has not been a success with either critics or at the box office. Expend4bles lacks much of the classic cast and replaces them with non-action stars. The Expendables series has been on a downward trajectory, especially as 1980s nostalgia has dried up.

During a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Waugh revealed that Banderas did not return to The Expendables 4 due to availability, but noted that his character "was so quintessential to the comedic moments." The director explained that Galgo's dialogue was reworked for his son and went on to praise Scipio's ...

Rourke has left the project because he wasn't offered enough money to make it. We're officially crushed. It's a MASSIVE shame, Rourke was by far the best thing in Expendables - his speech about his time in Bosnia involved such great acting it felt weirdly out of place.

Now, in a new interview with Parade, Schwarzenegger offered some insight about his absence from The Expendables 4. The actor says he told Stallone personally that he wasn't interested as, to him, it felt like he would have just been doing the same thing he's done with that character in the previous movies.

In a 2014 interview for the Big Issue media, and with 'The Expendables 3′ about to be released, Seagal revealed why he has never appeared in a movie of this blockbuster saga created by Stallone. Basically, the actor claimed that he didn't like a lot of the people who participated in those movies.

Reportedly (via The Hollywood Reporter) Willis was due to make 3 million dollars in a four-day shoot in Bulgaria, but he demanded an extra million for his troubles. Sylvester Stallone, at the helm of the project that had a 100 million dollar budget, refused to budge and Willis was replaced by Ford within 72 hours.