14 DAY TRIAL // With yet very much to go until “The Expendables,” the story of a group of mercenaries sent on a deadly mission, hits the silver screen, things are finally starting to become more clear as to the blockbuster film and its cast. In fact, they’re so clear that even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will reportedly make a special appearance in it, Ain’tItCoolNews is reporting from a very reliable source right from the set.
The twist with Arnold’s appearance will be that he will be playing himself, in what is believed to be a very true to life situation in which Sylvester Stallone’s character is an old friend of Schwarzenegger’s, going back to the days when the latter was still shooting for “Conan, the Barbarian.” Also, Arnold will reportedly be on set for just one day, but enough time to make for a few, truly memorable minutes onscreen.
“The production is a month out from shooting, and reportedly according to my source, the script has been beaten into shape by Stallone who has been struggling to nail the right tonal balance of humor, action and emotional reality. So there you have it. Sly and Arnie are both in this film.” Ain’tItCoolNews informs. Other good news includes the fact that Eric Roberts has also signed in for the film, as well as Mickey Rourke, following months of speculation.
Another big action star also supposed to appear in “The Expendables” was Jean Claude Van Damme. Unfortunately, he turned the offer down when, as per his own words, director Stallone could not tell him more about the part he was supposed to play. “Stallone gave me a part in his next movie. But I ask him about the subject, about the story. He said, ‘You’re gonna make lots of money.’ I don’t want to hear that, I want to hear what was my character. He was unable to tell what it’s going to be.' [Stallone said:] ‘You know, uh, well, the fighting will be good.’ [So I said:] ‘Sly, what is my character?’ So I didn’t do the movie.” Van Damme explained in a recent interview.
Starring, so far, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Forest Whitaker, and Stallone himself, the movie will deal, as noted above, with the story of a group of mercenaries sent to some remote location to overthrown a dictator. “The Expendables” has been written by Sylvester Stallone, who will also act as director, while playing a major part as well. It has been scheduled for a tentative release in 2010.