A new Expendables film is confirmed with a major twist

A new installment confirmed

A new movie in The Expendables franchise is officially in the works. The confirmation signals a future for the Jason Statham-led action series after the commercial disappointment of its most recent entry. The franchise, created by Sylvester Stallone with the 2010 original, has centered on a rotating cast of veteran action stars. No creative team, distributor, or cast has been attached to the new project publicly.

The announcement of a new installment arrives after 2023's Expend4bles failed to connect with audiences. That film, distributed by Lionsgate, grossed just $51 million worldwide against a reported $100 million production budget, marking a significant downturn for the property. This context makes the continuation of the franchise notable, suggesting stakeholders believe brand equity remains.

The unspecified twist

While the project's return is official, details are sparse. The reporting confirms the new film will feature a "major twist" on the series' well-known formula. The nature of this change, however, has not been disclosed. Whether this implies a reboot, a spinoff focusing on a new team, or a shift in genre or tone remains entirely speculative.

The core conceit of the franchise has been its meta-casting of action icons from different eras fighting alongside one another. A fundamental twist could alter that premise, perhaps to attract a new generation of viewers or to reduce the high cost of securing numerous high-profile actors. For now, the promise of a deliberate change is the only concrete detail known about the movie's direction, leaving the franchise at a strategic crossroads.