The Expendables actors are part of a giant ensemble cast, but some big names have turned the franchise down. One of Sylvester Stallone’s major action movie franchises, The Expendables franchise kicked off in 2010, directed by Sylvester Stallone who brought together a cast of action heroes in a tribute to ‘80s action movies. The Expendables was a big hit upon its release, with The Expendables 2 following in 2012 and expanding its roster even more. While 2014’s The Expendables 3 brought in the biggest ensemble the franchise had ever seen, its PG-13 rating led to it being a financial disappointment.
Despite the slump, The Expendables delivered a roster of very impressive stars. With Stallone as the series’ lead, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Terry Crews make up the core team, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis as close allies. The Expendables cast also included Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Chuck Norris, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford and Antonio Banderas, among many other big names. However, there were also a few big names who turned down offers to appear.