We’re a little hesitant to jump on any Expendables casting announcements. After all, we’ve been burned before. (Yes, Nicolas Cage, we’re looking at you.) But the latest action icon claiming to be part of Sylvester Stallone’s announced sequel is going on record as saying he’s “in,” and his addition – if real – would makes sense (and be awesome).
Jackie Chan is busy promoting his latest film CZ12 in Kuala Lumpur. According to Cinema Online, Chan was asked about participating in the third Expendables -- which Stallone has confirmed – and his affirmative answer might have survived the journalist who dared to ask:
Sly had invited me to be in Expendables 2 but I was too busy filming CZ12 and couldn't make a commitment to the film. But he did extend his invitation to the third movie, which I agreed on the condition that I will be appearing as more than just a minor role with a few scenes,” Chan said.
As the story goes, Chan had even more suggestions, saying that he’d prefer Stallone to make the third Expendables movie into more of a “buddy” template … to which Stallone reportedly agreed. Here’s where we start to grow a little skeptical. Would Stallone really make creative departures from his lucrative formula because Chan had suggested them? I mean, Chan’s an outstanding addition to the Expendables world, but it might have made more sense 15 years ago, when the high-kicking action star was in his prime.
Then again, the “aging action star” is the whole hook of The Expendables, so plugging Chan into the series in a meatier role sounds about right. It only took a few days before Stallone (or his people) refute the Cage rumors. So we’ll go with Chan in the third Expendables for now … and hope that it becomes a reality.
