Dolph Lundgren Gets Candid About Why Expendables 4 Didn’t Work

Released in October 2023 to almost general indifference, Expendables 4 was a huge critical and commercial failure. With 37 million dollars collected worldwide, for a budget estimated at 100 million, it easily wins the prize for the most resounding failure of the saga.

So far, the previous 3 parts had worked quite well. The first Expendables earned 274 million internationally, the second 300 and the third 204 million greenbacks. The 4th episode therefore saw these recipes divided by 10, which spelled the end of the action saga.

For comparison, in France, Expendables 4 came out with only 327,756 entries compared to 1,651,849 for the first, 1,963,063 for the 2nd and 1,064,560 for the 3rd.

The reasons for a shipwreck

But why such a failure, despite the presence in the casting of Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham or Andy Garcia, in addition to martial arts stars, Iko Uwais and Tony Jaa? Dolph Lundgren, who has played the colossus Gunner since the first opus in 2010, thinks he has found an explanation.

Asked by ScreenRant in January 2024, he delivered his feelings, without tongue in cheek. The star candidly shared several reasons why he feels the sequel failed. He mentions in particular the film’s unconvincing script, the limited involvement of Stallone, a director replaced at the last moment, and the lack of promotion due to the strike in Hollywood, which took place at the time of release.

“I didn’t read the reviews, because I pretty much knew what they were going to say. This project had problems from the start, and usually it all starts with the script. This one really wasn’t good.”lamented Dolph Lundgren.

“I’m not playing the lead, so it’s hard for me to comment on some of these issues, but I know Stallone wasn’t involved like he usually is. He was just playing a character, and when he’s in charge, the quality is always there, it never drops below a certain level.”continued the 67-year-old actor.

I think the problem was with the script, and then the director was replaced about a month before filming. So, between those two things, it’s difficult to make a really good film.

Team spirit forgotten?

“But there, he wasn’t involved, so I think the problem was with the script, and then the director was replaced about a month before shooting. So, between those two things, it’s difficult to make a very good film. And I also think that the originals, especially the first two, were all about team spirit.”said Dolph Lundgren.

“It was a collective adventure, and part of that was lost; it saddened me to see the film take this direction. It’s a shame because 50 Cent was in it and it was excellent, Megan Fox also, they were all good assets. Plus, the film was released during the strike, which wasn’t very smart, so they couldn’t do any promotion.”analyzed the artist.

It was a collective adventure, and part of it was lost; It saddened me to see the film take this direction.

“If there had been a big, star-studded premiere, with Megan Fox, 50 Cent, Stallone, Statham, the rest of the crew, myself, Andy Garcia, there would have been a lot more attention around the movie. And I’m sure it would have done better, but too bad. I was disappointed.”concluded the legendary interpreter of Ivan Drago in the Rocky saga.

Indeed, all these ingredients combined formed a perfect recipe for disaster. In addition to its absolute failure at the box office, Expendables 4 is also the lowest rated part of the franchise: 1.4 out of 5 by the press and 1.6 out of 5 by spectators on AlloCiné, it is indeed not famous.

Original article published on AlloCiné