We recently learned from The Hollywood Reporter that production on The Expendables 4 would be starting sometime in 2017 with Sly Stallone, Jason Statham and Arnold Schwarzenegger expected to return.
It remains to be seen who else will be returning or added to the cast but we’ve come across one possible shooting location for the fourth installment. Expendables 4 could be spending some time in China.
This isn’t that unusual as many studios are opting to move projects to China because of the two massive studio facilities recently built in Beijing and Qingdao to attract Hollywood productions to the country.
Stallone and producer Avi Lerner had attempted to coax both Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen to get involved in previous sequels.
Yet, the two Chinese action superstars turned them down.
Den of Geek got Jackie to talk about his reason for not participating.
“Then this morning I did hear – the office called – Sly [Stallone] wants me for Expendables 4. I said, “Okay.” Because they already asked me to be in two and three, but I refused. Well, I didn’t refuse, but I said, “Sly, can’t we just do you and me? Not just a bunch of people and me only coming out for five minutes.” Because then the audience is, “Oh!” And then I’m gone.”
“So if I’m in Expendables 4, I want it to be me and him – then it might be interesting. Otherwise, you just come out for five minutes.”
Chan recently worked with Schwarzenegger on the Russian-Chinese film Viy-2.
Congrats to my friend Jackie Chan on his fantastic honor – after 200 movies, you certainly deserve this Oscar. You always inspire. pic.twitter.com/6GTOpC3I70
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) November 13, 2016
In 2011, Donnie Yen also explained why he never got involved either.
“They wanted me to be in ‘Expendables 2’ but I just didn’t feel the role clicked. I was flattered that I was approached by the producers but I just didn’t see the role they asked me to do being that intriguing. I didn’t really want to do it but I’m open for anything. Doing a movie is a stressful thing. You spend months of you life focusing into that one project and I want to make sure I do something I really like or I’m really passionate about.”
Hollywood has finally started using Donnie in big films with roles in Rogue One and the upcoming xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.
Lerner was reportedly trying to cast Chinese actress Li Bingbing (Transformers 4, Resident Evil: Retribution, Iron Man 3) in his female spinoff Expendabelles alongside Kate Beckinsale and others. It could be possible that Li could be also a potential candidate if they’re able to lock down a Chinese production.
Li previously worked with Jet Li and Jackie Chan on the film The Forbidden Kingdom and is currently shooting Meg with Jason Statham.
It’s possible that moving production to China might be a way to attract Chan, Yen and Bingbing while also accommodating an existing cast member like Jet Li to return.
Another tidbit worth noting is that the Expendables franchise has earned $157 million in China and $73 million of that came from Expendables 3.
A production start and release date haven’t been announced.
SOURCE: MY ENTERTAINMENT WORLD