Why Was Jean-Claude Van Damme Deemed Expendable for 'The Expendables'?

by: Mike Ryan
In "The Expendables," Sylvester Stallone's latest guns-blazing return to the multiplex, the actor/director assembled a dream team of action stars to assist him with the very important work of blowing up everything in sight. Most notably, he recruited onetime big-screen rivals like Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Dolph Lundgren for his latest cinematic mission. An impressive collective of talent, to be sure, but the all-star roster of shoot-'em-up heroes has at least one glaring omission: Jean-Claude Van Damme. Whither the "Muscles from Brussels," star of "Hard Target," "Timecop," and "Universal Solider"?

Van Damme, it turns out, did get a call from Stallone to join his team of Expendables, but he wasn't thrilled with the pitch. He told TotalFilm, "Stallone gave me a part in his next movie. [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." So Van Damme, showing admirable dedication to the purity of his craft, passed.

In a 2009 press conference, Van Damme recounted pretty much the same story, adding that he'd advised Stallone that, instead of doing "The Expendables," Stallone should make a movie where Sly plays a "tough priest." According to Van Damme, Stallone found this "insulting." If nothing else, Van Damme does do a pretty nifty Stallone impression.

At this year's Comic-Con, Stallone addressed the casting offers, including two other high-profile no-shows that were not meant to be. His take differs slightly: "I talked to Van Damme. I talked to [Steven] Segal. I even talked to Chuck Norris." He then added, "But there are certain considerations, like insanity."

In fairness to Van Damme, the actor does seem to have a somewhat more introspective take on his career of late. In 2008, he starred in the independent film "JCVD," playing a fictionalized version of himself: an out-of-work action star who finds himself at a bank while it's being robbed. Of course, Van Damme's newfound introspection doesn't explain why he starred in 2009's "Universal Soldier: Regeneration."

"The Expendables," opening this weekend, tells the story of a group of mercenaries who attempt to overthrow the government of a small South American island. In addition to the aforementioned line-up of Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger, and Lundgren, Jet Li, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, and Jason Statham join in on the mayhem.

Sly Stallone has 'The Expendables' EXPLODING on the big screen

Think about every action hero in cinematic history who has operated a firearmJet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and Slylvester Stallone in "The Expendables.

Well maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit there, but honestly not by much. Sylvester Stallone (who in addition to starring in the film also directed and co-wrote the script with David Callaham) has kept a relatively low profile during the last decade or so.

However, with his revival of the Rocky (2006's Rocky Balboa) and Rambo (2008's Rambo) franchises, he has proven that he still can draw at the box office. And chances are he will have another hit on his hands with "The Expendables," which pays homage to the action films of the '80's and '90's with its over the top "shoot 'em up"/"knock down drag out" action scenes.

In the film, Stallone plays Barney Ross, the leader of a group of mercenaries who is recruited by Mr. Church (played by Bruce Willis) to invade South America to takedown their dictator, General Garza. Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger also has a cameo as Trench, who passes on the job offered by Church. When Church then offers a price of $5 million dollars for the operation to Ross, he checks out the territory along with Lee Christmas (played magnificently by Jason Statham) prior to beginning the mission. When the two barely survive the trip with their lives intact, they realize there is more to this operation than meets the eye, and that the group would be heading into enemy territory to also dispose of James Munroe (Eric Roberts), who has an axe to grind with the American government. Munroe's right-hand man is Dan Paine, who is played by WWE Hall Of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

Make no mistake, this isn't Shakespeare we're watching here, but Stallone will probably be the first to tell you that. He has indeed made some clunkers along the way (remember the Saturday Night Live skit with Norm MacDonald complaining that he was saved in a car accident by Judge Dredd? Classic), but what makes "The Expendables" work is the main cast of characters who get just enough screen time to where they compliment each other nicely. Moreover, the wonderfully "choreographed" action scenes are nothing to sneeze at either (particularly the scene which Ross and Statham escape the island on their seaplane). There is literally so much action going on at times that the viewer can lose sight of what is actually transpiring. With the majority of the cast no stranger to violent hand to hand combat (whether in real life or in movies), Stallone probably offered some direction, but from the looks of it some of them (mainly five-time Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture) really didn't need it.

The humorous interplay amongst the cast (utilized most effectively with Stallone and Statham) is strong without coming off as corny. There is probably an action sequence every five minutes or so. And while not AS gory as the latest Rambo movie, the death toll and explosions at the conclusion of "The Expendables" most likely exceeds the previously mentioned film. In fact, the action scenes are so intense that Stallone suffered numerous injuries during the making of this movie. He is still in extraordinary shape at 64 and turns in a solid performance as Ross as does Roberts.

However, the scene stealer in the movie is clearly Statham- who along with (but to a lesser extent) Jet Li are given the majority of the acting and action scenes. Overall, this is Statham's biggest project to date, and he passes the test with flying colors. Other members of the team include former Philadelphia Eagle Terry Crews and Couture (you know, the guy who says "Let's go princess" at the end of his commercials for his Tower 200 home gym). Stallone is also reunited with his Rocky IV co-star Dolph Lundgren, who plays a sniper on the team whose role is a mystery of sorts. Mickey Rourke rounds out the gang as Tool, a former member-turned tattoo artist who gives Christmas a run for his money in the knife throwing department.

While it's pretty neat to see Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger finally share the screen together (although it's only about four minutes), "The Expendables" has some weak points. The action scenes at times seem like a substitute for plot development- which has the potential to be greater than it was. Rourke is vastly underused and only appears in about four scenes throughout the film, and Crews and Couture remain on the sidelines for the most part (until it comes time to open a can of whoop ass, of course.)

Overall, I'd give "The Expendables" three and a half stars out of five. It doesn't take itself too seriously, passes quickly, is pretty funny despite the carnage, and sets itself up for a sequel.
article by:Joe Valle