by Cookie N Screen
There is a lot of testosterone in the air already. The stench of man power and explosions comes streaming through the London Corinthia Hotel. There is muscle here, I can sense it. Of course, all that man power in town, bustling through the glorious monuments and quite extravegant décor, can only mean one thing: The Expendables are in town. Hosted by Christ Hewitt, this devastatingly butch press conference sees stars Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Kellan Lutz and produce Ari Folman launch the explosive sequel into UK cinemas and answer, in a very manly manner, a few questions from the eager press.
There is a lot of testosterone in the air already. The stench of man power and explosions comes streaming through the London Corinthia Hotel. There is muscle here, I can sense it. Of course, all that man power in town, bustling through the glorious monuments and quite extravegant décor, can only mean one thing: The Expendables are in town. Hosted by Christ Hewitt, this devastatingly butch press conference sees stars Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Kellan Lutz and produce Ari Folman launch the explosive sequel into UK cinemas and answer, in a very manly manner, a few questions from the eager press.
Centring on the now famed group of mercenaries, The Expendables 3 kicks off with Stallone’s Barney Ross having to face old ally now turned antagonist Conrad Stonebanks and all out war breaks loose. Though not exactly mindful and more brainless, this kick-arse punch in the face will appease fans everywhere; it certainly has this bunch of ragamuffin studs who are all gathered to express their joy on working with together and doing stunts. Of course, looking at these ab-tastic action heroes in the flesh, it’s only natural to feel a little bit like a weakling. So obviously the first question asked was about injury, proving that our action stars are mere mortals.
“I like to think” Stallone gruffs in a low chuckle “that the quality of the film depends on how big the injury is.” Which must mean that the movie was stellar, with Banderas and Lutz all quipping on injuries due to explosions and helicopters. Though Statham joked at a broken shoelace and Snipes a broken nail may completely undermine that stance, Statham later followed up on “a drowning” that seemed like fun at first but become a little bit more dangerous. “And we would’ve helped him but we were too busy filming it on our phones” Stallone jokes.
Across the course of the conference all of the men involved happily lauded up their friends. “There was a bunch of healthy egos on set,” says Stallone, heralding the cast and crew that were brought together for himself, “people really want to get together to do this. Not as athletes performing these stunts but as actors who are doing something athletic. So there is genuinely this jock atmosphere that is fun but determined.”
“I like to think” Stallone gruffs in a low chuckle “that the quality of the film depends on how big the injury is.” Which must mean that the movie was stellar, with Banderas and Lutz all quipping on injuries due to explosions and helicopters. Though Statham joked at a broken shoelace and Snipes a broken nail may completely undermine that stance, Statham later followed up on “a drowning” that seemed like fun at first but become a little bit more dangerous. “And we would’ve helped him but we were too busy filming it on our phones” Stallone jokes.
Across the course of the conference all of the men involved happily lauded up their friends. “There was a bunch of healthy egos on set,” says Stallone, heralding the cast and crew that were brought together for himself, “people really want to get together to do this. Not as athletes performing these stunts but as actors who are doing something athletic. So there is genuinely this jock atmosphere that is fun but determined.”
Of all the people that Stallone has gathered for this movies, there were a couple of new faces on the roster, notably Lutz, Banderas and Snipes who are fresh faced to battle in the extensive collection of buff bodies and grunting men. Snipes, more memorably, worked with Stallone before on Demolition Man (though they assure us there is no return for the blonde hair). “I was excited to get involved. For years but he’s been busy and I’ve been…” he jokes, hinting at the stint in prison the actor paid whilst being prosecuted for tax evasion but it is clear that he has put that past him, “you’ve just got to enjoy life. I was brought in, had some comedy aspects and I loved every minute of it.”
Talking about comedic relief, Spanish bravado Antionio Banderas was brought in on similar premises. “He cornered me in a parking lot,” he says in his soothing accent reminiscent of the Puss in Boots role that the men spend a chunk of the conference taking the piss out of. “And I remember saying, ‘I don’t want to be a villain because villains die.’ So I very happily became the talker and the funny one who annoyed everyone with this chatter.”
As well as Snipes and Banderas, Kellan Lutz was also brand new to the super-group. “I did have a part lined up for Expendables 2. When I went for the audition I was all battered and bruised from something or another and that impressed Stallone but it all fell through.” Lutz reminisces, “I’d just got out of Twilight and I was excited but it’s great to be back on board.”
“Funnily enough, we’ve got three vampires on this movie” says Stallone pointing at Banderas, Snipe and Lutz but fails to allude to an Expendables Supernatural addition.
Talking about comedic relief, Spanish bravado Antionio Banderas was brought in on similar premises. “He cornered me in a parking lot,” he says in his soothing accent reminiscent of the Puss in Boots role that the men spend a chunk of the conference taking the piss out of. “And I remember saying, ‘I don’t want to be a villain because villains die.’ So I very happily became the talker and the funny one who annoyed everyone with this chatter.”
As well as Snipes and Banderas, Kellan Lutz was also brand new to the super-group. “I did have a part lined up for Expendables 2. When I went for the audition I was all battered and bruised from something or another and that impressed Stallone but it all fell through.” Lutz reminisces, “I’d just got out of Twilight and I was excited but it’s great to be back on board.”
“Funnily enough, we’ve got three vampires on this movie” says Stallone pointing at Banderas, Snipe and Lutz but fails to allude to an Expendables Supernatural addition.
The big topic of conversation is the violence. Usually the Expendables series has a 15 rating but has been cut down to the less explosive 12 rating. Stallone has no problems. “I enjoy violence and yes, it’s less graphic. But I grew up on these kinds of movies so there has to be something for a new generation to latch onto so we need to make it accessible. There will be an R-rating on the DVD though.”
All of the men come from a background of action roles, highlights including a helicopter for Lutz, horses for Banderas and more helicopters for Statham whilst Stallone enjoyed blowing up sheep and descending the tree tops as Rambo. “I think going the rounds with Dolph Lungren was my highlight though,” Stallone continues, “he almost killed me.
All that sweat, blood and violence, they must take some time out for say…girly things? “I don’t do manicures,” says Statham, “I’m all about the pedicure.” Whilst Snipes lavishes getting prim and proper, indulging in his feminine side, Stallone shrugs saying “we’re all pretty filthy guys.”
The actual femininity and masculinity on The Expendables 3 comes from MMA come actress on the Ronda Roussey is in her debut as Luna and the men are highly fond of her work. “She’s really methodical but she could definitely go a few rounds with you and win.” Interestingly enough, Roussey hasn’t been affiliated with the upcoming ExpendaBelles but Stallone is keen for that franchise to kick off. “We wanted girls who came from that natural toughness rather than forcing actresses to become tough but there was still that femininity about them. Maybe we could cross over with the guys, like a divorce.”
And Expendables fans, you needn’t worry, because producer Avi Lerner states that he wants to do twenty seven more…
Catch The Expendables on the 14th of August with
All of the men come from a background of action roles, highlights including a helicopter for Lutz, horses for Banderas and more helicopters for Statham whilst Stallone enjoyed blowing up sheep and descending the tree tops as Rambo. “I think going the rounds with Dolph Lungren was my highlight though,” Stallone continues, “he almost killed me.
All that sweat, blood and violence, they must take some time out for say…girly things? “I don’t do manicures,” says Statham, “I’m all about the pedicure.” Whilst Snipes lavishes getting prim and proper, indulging in his feminine side, Stallone shrugs saying “we’re all pretty filthy guys.”
The actual femininity and masculinity on The Expendables 3 comes from MMA come actress on the Ronda Roussey is in her debut as Luna and the men are highly fond of her work. “She’s really methodical but she could definitely go a few rounds with you and win.” Interestingly enough, Roussey hasn’t been affiliated with the upcoming ExpendaBelles but Stallone is keen for that franchise to kick off. “We wanted girls who came from that natural toughness rather than forcing actresses to become tough but there was still that femininity about them. Maybe we could cross over with the guys, like a divorce.”
And Expendables fans, you needn’t worry, because producer Avi Lerner states that he wants to do twenty seven more…
Catch The Expendables on the 14th of August with
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