Despite having an R rating - something that every studio in the free world is absolutely terrified by - The Expendables was one of the biggest hits of summer 2010, pulling in $274 million at the international box office on an $80 million budget. Everything we've heard about the sequel since then has suggested that every element will be bigger and better, starting with the cast, which added Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van-Damme, Scott Adkins, Liam Hemsworth and Nan Yu to its already stacked line-up (not to mention promises of more Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger). Sadly, though, there will be some elements that won't be bigger and better: the language and the violence.
Sylvester Stallone has confirmed to AICN that The Expendables 2 has been targeting a PG-13 rating. Responding to a query from the site's owner, Stallone said
"The PG13 rumor is true, but before your readers pass judgement, trust me when I say this film is LARGE in every way and delivers on every level. This movie touches on many emotions which we want to share with the broadest audience possible, BUT, fear not, this Barbeque of Grand scale Ass Bashing will not leave anyone hungry...Sly"
The script for the film was written by Dave Callaham and Richard Wenk with Simon West, best known for helming Con Air, taking over directing duties. The story follows the gang of mercenaries as they hunt down the person responsible for the death of Tool (Mickey Rourke). In addition to Stallone, the film brings back Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren Terry Crewes and Randy Couture.
I truly don't see the logic in this. While Stallone may say that the action is still top notch, why would they be going for a PG-13 rating in the first place? The studio made more than enough money with the first one and they stand to make even more with the sequel. So why dilute the project? This has stupidity and greed written all over it.
