50 Cent Replacing Forest Whitaker In ‘The Expendables’?!
Mar 19, 2009 by Rob KeyesI am not impressed.
Sylvester’s action-packed team-up ass-kicking fest of a movie, The Expendables, is suffering through some minor start delays and shooting for the movie …
I am not impressed.
Sylvester’s action-packed team-up ass-kicking fest of a movie, The Expendables, is suffering through some minor start delays and shooting for the movie has been pushed back a month. Because of this, Forest Whitaker now has some scheduling conflicts and has had to pull out of the movie.
To replace him, Sly has brought in rapper 50 Cent a.k.a. Curtis Jackson.
Bad move methinks – How can you go from Oscar-winning talent to an artist of different medium who’s proven time and time again that he cannot act.
I love the idea and premise of this movie – the use of iconic 80s action stars combined with some cool modern action stars is something that should have been done a long time ago. That being said, I was very concerned about this movie because it’s aiming for a PG-13.
A PG-13 rating for a movie about a team of mercenaries sent on a suicide mission made by Sly Stallone? What?
Well, it sounds like the idea is to let the kids see it too which to me, takes away from what it should be. Is it being made simply for monetary purposes and for the wrong audience? Combined with the reason as to why Jean-Claude Van Damme turned down the offer to be in The Expendables and seeing others drop out (Ben Kingsley, Sandra Bullock), my hopes and anticipation for this movie are dwindling.
Ain’t It Cool News reported on this yesterday and later received a message from Sly himself defending the decision about 50 Cent. In his message he also clarified the following character information:
Hale Caesar is Curtis Jackson
Toll Road (new character) is Randy Couture
Monroe is Eric Roberts
Tool (an ex-Expendable) is Mickey Rourke
Bao is Jet Li
Lee Christmas is Jason Statham
Lacy is Charisma Carpenter
Sandra is Giselle Itie (famous Brazilian actress)
And
Barney ‘the schizo’ Ross is Yours Truly.
My hopes for this movie was for something like Rambo but with a massive team of cool characters. I guess we’re not getting that. As for 50 Cent, if he’s playing an all out action role, he’s at least built for the part being in incredible physical condition.
Even though I’m skeptical about this movie, it’s still a must-see for me because of what it is and who’s in it – I’m sure many others feel the same.
What do you think of this news and the direction of the film?
Yesterday, The Expendables got its official release date of April 23, 2010.
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They are aiming for PG-13? Ah man, I think we can quote Dave Chappelle in saying: “I think the chief is f$%#ing up!”
50 did an alright job in that war movie, home of the brave or something like that. At least its not Puffy, imagine.
Ok, they are going with the big Pop Iconic Action Stars frm the 80′s, I can see why they have Forrest Whitaker, but then they replace him with 50 Cent. Looks like they are just taking one big black guy and replacing him with another big black guy who isnt from the 80′s.
How about Carl Weathers to replace Forrest Whitaker. He was Big in the 80′s. (Predator, Rocky) And if they are going buy size, he is still a big actor that I think could hold his own.
Sly you disappoint me.
This is the first time the casting has left me wondering. I really don’t see how a role can be played by either Whittaker or 50 Cent. If nothing else about them, the age difference is odd.
Maybe the character has to be black, but surely there’s better choices?
Still, the cast has been stunning so far, so I’m sure I can bear it. If a rap star could ruin this movie for me, then it isn’t what I hope for.
PG13 is more of a concern, but they get away with a lot more these days. I’m sure an R rated version on DVD would make them more money.
Things are rotten in Denmark.
Okay, if schedules conflict and Whitaker needs to be replaced, so be it. But …why 50 Cent?! Why not LL Cool J if we want a rapper turned actor, and someone a tad bit better than 50 Cent on both counts?
Better yet, if this flick is a chock of new and old action icons…
* Wesley Snipes.
* Billy Blanks
* Michael Jai White
See that?
@Drew
I was thinking the same thing: Why not get Carl Weathers?
This movie has gone from prime rib to fried chicken. If this keeps up, it’ll be down to chicken nuggets.
LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Ice-T the Original Gangster himself!
There must be something up with this switch to 50.
@Darren seeley
Isn’t Wesley Snipes still in jail? But Michael-Jai White would be sweet!
As was pointed out on another site, today’s “PG-13″ is pretty close to the “R” of the 1980s. They can show boatloads of violence as long as there is now explicit blood or gore.
I’m not saying I agree with that, but that’s just how it is.
But I will say that an R-rated version of this would probably kick ass.
Vic
*shakes head*
50 Cent is the dictionary definition of a talentless actor.
The only reason I can see that 50 Cent moron being added is that Sly is trying to lure in some younger viewers. Stupid move, Sly. I really like the idea of Carl Weathers or even Mr. T filling in the role. Say no to stupid rappers, Sly. JUST SAY NO!
Apparently Whittaker was supposed to be Agent Sands. Hmm, maybe there is a spot of Carl Weathers to come in!
Again with the rating, I can care less, I’ve never seen anyone have to tone down the violence for PG13, maybe just gore, but you can have plenty of fun action without gore. And no cursing or nudity… oooohhhh, so who cares.
But about this rapper idiot, I say we replace him with Donnie Yen, lol. I didn’t mind the wrestler and fighter because they didn’t really need GREAT acting for their roles, but a rapper, that’s just going too far.
Agreed with everyone above lol. I’d take Carl Weathers, Mr. T or Wesley Snipes all over 50 cents. Although Carl and Mr. T are getting up there in age..
No kidding… and why ISN’T Carl Weathers involved? You’d think with the Rocky connection he’d be in.
Vic
I am sure Apollo will take the Agent Sands role, the part Whittaker was supposed to be. I does not make sense, 50 is taking the part of one of the mercenaries but Whittaker was supposed to be the agent gathering them up. Hmm?
I think 50 is a decent rapper(talks about his money to much though). But the guy is horrendous as an actor. I was born in the late 80′s so all these guys movies are older then me. But I’ve been wondering, why doesn’t Sly ask Patrick Swayze to be in the movie? I know about his cancer situation but still Patrick is awesome.
bigdog, um, and what rapper doesn’t rap about his money? Is there even a rap song in existence NOT about how rich they are, how cool they are, how intimidating they are, or how many “ho’s” they have???
I totally agree with Carl Weathers, but if Sly just wants a big black guy, then he should go with Michael Clarke Duncan.
Even if 50 Cent were to somehow be fantastic in the movie, he just doesn’t feel right for this kind of flick. This movie should be filled with actors who could carry a blockbuster action flick on their own, and I just don’t see 50 and as being able to do that.
I agree 50 Cent can not act on top of that he is a Buster Mc Nugget.
Yet another thing that saddens me. WHY WHY WHY???? 50 cent are u serious .I would have more interest in watching ice cubes melt in hot water.
With t he exception of 50 Cent not all rappers are stupid, otherwise they would not be making millions of dollars, owning their own companies and even gasp having DOCTORATES and other college degrees. And can your lame Dr. Dre jokes to follow. Acting and lyrically 50 Cent is nothing
It just occurred to me, shouldn’t Kurt Russell be in this somewhere?
Vic
I agree Vic, he should. I like Kurt Russell, if they added him to the list it would make this movie that much more awesome, lol.
@Sin, making millions mean nothing. Most of these rap stars are products of their labels. Not to mention basketball, football, etc. stars makes millions, and most of them are retarded as hell. Britney Spears made millions, Paris Hilton makes millions, I can go on…
Heck yeah! Kurt Russell! That would be cool. Although my hopes for this movie are dwindling as well with the news that it’s going to be shooting for a PG-13 rating. I was hoping it would be more like the last Rambo movie as well. And I don’t have anything against 50 Cent really, but why not Mr. T? He could pitty some foos!
*shakes head at PG-13 griping… again…*
Get King Kurt in there and I couldn’t care less if 50 Cent was the main star!
‘Just remember what old Jack Burton always says at a time like this’
I have lost all interest in this film. I don’t care to much about the rating , but replacing one of the greatest actors certainly the best one that was attached to this film Forrest with 50 Cent that’s just a joke.
“They say, ‘Have you paid your dues, Jack? Have you paid your dues?’ Yes sir, the check is in the mail!”
@ Ken J
Your enlightenment is something that is already well known, but you seem to be focusing on the era after 2000 if you are talking about bubble gum rappers (products of labels), but even that is rare. And hey if you are smart enough to make millions of dollars and still be a clue dart then it does mean something. Means they were smart enough to do whatever it was to get those millions. Smart doesn’t just mean book smart.