Tango, No Cash. Russell Refuses The Expendables.
The Expendables is far and away my most posted topic since I started here at Film Junk, and it has at least as much to do with who has declined a role in the movie as it does with those who agreed. Along with Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kurt Russell has topped the list of action stars most desired for inclusion, particularly for fans of Stallone and Russell’s Tango and Cash. Unfortunately, Russell has yet another thing in common with Van Damme; according to Stallone, Russell was offered a part but turned it down.
I’m as disappointed as anyone that Russell won’t be joining The Expendables, but I’m always impressed when actors turn down a relatively sure thing. While there could be any number of reasons for their refusal, both Russell and Van Damme have been in the business long enough that they’ve earned the right to follow their muse, and only history will tell whether they chose poorly. Does Russell’s refusal to appear in Stallone’s epic pain you? And who else would you place in the Expendables derby?
Comments (9)
I’m a saaaaaad panda
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on March 24th, 2009Carl Weathers should be in this movie.
Posted by Derek on March 24th, 2009they should make Tango and Cash 3…completely skip 2…just to piss people off.
Posted by Bob The Slob on March 25th, 2009Actually, it gives me pause. Pause that perhpas Stallone is going too far with this one. Too many mercs in the jungle might not work. Russell is a heavy hitter and I’d love to see him reprise an action role on the level of his John Carpenter characters but I don’t think this movie would be the proper place.
Posted by Ian on March 25th, 2009The difference is that Kurt Russell has never really disappeared from the limelight the way Stallone, Roberts, Rourke, and Arnold have. The ones who are still in the limelight like Whitiker are doing it for the $$$.
All the people making a big deal of not being in this movie is pretty amusing. In most cases any given significant role in a film are offered to many actors that decline it. So we probably see the 5th or 6th actor to get the role. Rarely a 1st choice gets wants it.
The thing about The Expendables is that there is only 1 role in this movie. The role to kick some ass. Stallone is just going through a laundry list hoping anyone will take the offer.
Posted by Primal on March 25th, 2009Well, I respect Russell’s decision. I can’t help but to think that we may still see him if this flick gets a sequel. Maybe those who turned Sly down may join him in the sequel…..if there is one! As for Van Damme, it would have been freakin’ awesome to see him on the big screen again, but oh well. At least we’ll see the mighty Dolph Lundgren!
Posted by Spider on March 28th, 2009stallone should try to get more big names there is not enough big names half of the casting list i dont even know i heard this film will be a renunion for the 80’s ratpack but only 3 big names are from the 80’s lundgren stallone and schwarzenegger wheres the rest chuck norris seagal jackie chan etc come on
Posted by david cully on March 28th, 2009If you search for a site full of Expendables videos & pictures can suggest you this one:
http://myfantasyweb.com/expendables/movie.html.
EXPENDABLES. What a casting !!! Jason Statham and Stallone together WOW !!
Posted by Bookaroo on October 7th, 2009It actually brings tears to my eyes when i heard about the expendables. I had a similar idea for a movie staring Arnold, Van Damme and Stallone. It was them as aging mercs going up against younger their younger counterparts. I think this movie is gonna be sweet even if just from a nostalgic standpoint.
Posted by Empathic on November 2nd, 2009Leave a Reply