The Expendables 3 (2014)
- Before Sylvester Stallone was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- The original script for The Expendables 3 was written over a decade before production finally began in 2014.
- Patrick Hughes originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
The Expendables 3 is a 2014 American action film directed by Patrick Hughes. Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross retires his original team after one of them is critically wounded and recruits a younger squad for a mission to capture former Expendable-turned-arms-dealer Stonebanks, played by Mel Gibson. When the young team is captured, Barney must reunite his original crew for a rescue mission.
The cast expanded to include Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Kelsey Grammer alongside returning veterans. The film's PG-13 rating, a downgrade from the previous R-rated entries, was widely criticized for neutering the franchise's signature violence. A pre-release piracy leak that resulted in over 100,000 illegal downloads before opening weekend was believed to have significantly damaged the theatrical gross.
The Expendables 3 earned $214 million worldwide on a $90 million budget. The film demonstrated the enduring commercial viability of its franchise and genre to global audiences, solidifying its position in the modern blockbuster landscape.
