We’re at a turning point in the cultural zeitgeist, concerning the representation of women. Male-dependent damsels like Bella Swan are increasingly frowned upon, in an age where princesses prefer swordplay to swooning over prince charmings. Televised hits Mad Men and Game of Thrones explore patriarchal societies in historical and fantasy context, while Homeland examines feminist ideals in the new century. This is a banner year for blockbusters featuring modern action heroines, thanks to Haywire, The Hunger Games, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Brave.
Thus, there is no time like the present for an Expendables-riff that unites all the armed-and-dangerous babes who’ve graced the silver screen. Director Simon West (Expendables 2) has revealed a desire to incorporate an “Expenda-Belles” team in a future installment, name-dropping such gals as Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider) and Helen Mirren (RED) as possibilities. However, reports are in that Hollywood has begun the process of assembling a girls-exclusive riff on Expendables that takes place in a separate universe (but maintains the badassery factor).
Sylvester Stallone and Yu Nan in 'The Expendables 2'
Sylvester Stallone’s Expendables celebrates the past exploits of its masculine cast by teaming over-the-hill superstars (Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger) with beefcakes in their prime like Terry Crews and Randy Couture. Expendables 2 (read our review) opens the floodgates wider to include a female screen hero (Yu Nan) and youthful face (Liam Hemsworth) for a second round of ultra-violence and self-camp nods to Americana die-hard cinema. Two years ago, we here at Screen Rant assembled our own dream cast for a feminine-flavored Expendables that brought together definitive badass ladies (Sigourney Weaver, Linda Hamilton) with icons of the past 15 years, in Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.
Executive producer Adi Shankar is developing an all-woman take on Expendables. Variety says that Shankar will back through his 1984 Private Defense Contractors banner, with newcomer Dutch Southern scripting. Shankar stumbled with the biopic Machine Gun Preacher, but went on to find success with gory machismo flick The Grey and the viral hit Punisher: Dirty Laundry short. He also has violent films both visceral (Dredd) and artistically-satisfying (Killing Them Softly) in the can. Suffice it to say, he brings with him the practical experience and knowledge to ensure an effeminate Expendables is also an impressive one.
Will Lena Headey join the 'female Expendables'?
Early negotiations are ongoing with “several prominent actresses affiliated with the action genre” to sign on for Shankar’s (untitled) female Expendables. Celebrities ranging from 1980s and ’90s relics Cynthia Rothrock (Undefeatable) and Brigitte Nielsen (Red Sonja) to actresses Jennifer Garner (Alias) and Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) fit that bill, along with the younger Summer Glau (Firefly) and her Sarah Connor Chronicles costar Lena Headey. Potentials range from Zoe Saldana (Colombiana) to Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) – and far too many others to list here.
Stallone engineered a simple, but satisfactory, excuse for craggly hooligans of the big screen to work under the same roof in Expendables: they are all mercenaries, unified across different nationalities by the desire to reduce cartoonish baddies to mincemeat (and get paid while doing it). The female equivalent could follow suit, without straining credibility more than Sly’s machismo franchise does. Of course, suspension of disbelief will be of little concern to men and women who just want to see some fine gals kick ass (and chew bubblegum, perhaps).
Yu Nan as the first (official) female 'Expendable'
Who would you like to see recruited for a female-centric Expendables? Moreover, who would you like to see play the villain in an all-women Expendables? Sound off in the comments section, and who knows – maybe some of the bigwigs around Tinseltown take notice of demand from fans (hey, we can dream, right?).
The Expendables 2 is playing in theaters around the U.S.
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I’m surprised no one has mentioned the true badass…….Cloe Grace Moretz. She has to be in it, like as one of the older lay’s daughters. My list of a film like this has to have:
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Hamilton
Angelina Jolie
Charlize Theron
Uma Thermon
Milla Jovovich
Kate Beckinsdale
Zoe Saldana
Lucy Liu
Michelle Rodriguez
Salma Hayek
Helen Mirren
Chloe Grace Moretz
Others in my mind are maybe Maggie Q, Cameron Diaz, Gina Carrano, Jenifer Garner, and Jenifer Lopez.
^ This
\/ I mean that… *facepalm*
I’m thinking of some legends and women who have always been in some very action oriented roles.
Classics:
Rothrock
Pam Grier
Michelle Yeoh
Sigourney Weaver
Lucy Lawless
Angela Bassett
Current/New School:
Gina Carano
Michelle Rodriguez
Milla Jovovich
Zhang Ziyi
Kate Beckinsale
Angelina Jolie
The potential for match ups would be endless. Yeoh vs. Rothrock or Ziyi vs. Carano.
you nailed it. if it’s without grier, they nedd to get that s*** outta here!
please lucy liu,cynthia rothrock,michelle yeoh,kate benckinsale and jovovich have to be in this pleaseeee
If they want my money they will have to have Linda Hamilton and Sigourney Weaver in it for me to go, everyone else is gravy.
If they do this their are a bevy of choices, so my list is:
(Old School Heroes) (Eastern Stars)
Sigourney Weaver Michelle Yeoh
Lucy Lawless Zhang Ziyi
Linda Hamilton
Helen Mirren
Uma Thurman
Cynthia Rothock
(New School)
Kate Beckinsale
Michelle Rodriguez
Milla Jovovich
Gina Carano
THIS IS THE BEST LIST:
1.LUCY LAWLESS
2.CYNTHIA ROTHROCK
3.MICHELLE YEOH
4.LINDA HAMILTON
5.SIGOURNEY WEAVER
6.KELLY HU
7.GINA CARANO
8.JEEJA YANIN
AS FOR THE VILLAINS:CORY EVERSON, LUCY LIU AND FAMKE JANSSEN WOULD BE A GREAT TEAM OF VILLAINESS
1.LUCY LAWLESS
2.CYNTHIA ROTHROCK
3.MICHELLE YEOH
4.LINDA HAMILTON
5.SIGOURNEY WEAVER
6.KELLY HU
7.GINA CARANO
8.JEEJA YANIN
9.PAM GRIER
10.ROSARIO DAWSON
11.DARYL HANNAH
12.MICHELLE PFEIFFER
13.DREW BARRYMORE
14.LUCY LIU
15.CORY EVERSON
16.MILLA JOVOVICH
17.KATE BECKINSALE
18.JINDASEE ROONGTAWAN
19.YUKARI OSHIMA
20.MAGGIE Q
21.JADA PINKETT
22.CARRIE ANN MOSS
23.JENETTE GOLDSTIEN
24.ANGELA MAO
25.KAREN HUI
26.ANNE PARILLAUD
27.ZHANG ZIYI
28.MAGGIE CHUENG
29.BRIGETTE LIN
30.MALIN AKERMAN
31.SCARLETT JOHANSENN
32.RHONDA ROUSEY
Brigette Lin? Kara Hui? Angela Mao? I so didn’t think of them and really didn’t expect anyone to include these names, but since you did, great job by you sir
Uma Thurman should be in it, and possibly as a villain. Linda Hamilton, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jovovich would be awesome. Linda Hamilton is a must.
Uma Thurman should be in it, and possibly as a villain. Hamilton is a must.
ANGELINA JOLIE if their is some reason why she wouldnt star in it then it ahould not be made. Anyone who dares to not call her a action star knows nothing of action
-milla jovovich(the fifth element,resident evil franchise) -michelle rodriguez(machete,girlfight)-ZOE BELL is also a must(death proof,angel of death)-PAM GRIER is another must(woman in cages, jackie brown)-sigourney weaver(alien franchise,avatar)-gina carano(fast and furious 6,haywire)-marion cotillard as a bad guy(the dark knight rises,inception)-Noomi rapace shockingly has not been mentioned(prometheus,the girl series)-monica bellucci would be great to see she gets her ass beat alot lol(shoot em up, tears of the sun)new comers like jennifer lawrence(the hunger games, xmen first class) and maybe a helpless or non action one like blake lively?(the town, green latern)
*probaly wont happen and who knows maybe someone apart of the “girl expenables” deal-io will see this and hear me out… the 3 lovely ladies of b**** SLAP star in it as apart of the main cast or sideline helpers or hell even make a cameo in a scene IF you havent seen b**** SLAP i suggest it even if you hate everything about it you cant deny the greata action given:)
For the chief villainess, I would nominate Yukari Oshima. Like Van Damme, she’s a kick boxer, and in most of her movies portrayed ladies on the wrong side of the law.
since the greatest guy wrestler turned actor Stone Cold was in it they should put in greatest girl wrestler turned actress TRISH STRATUS in it… no lie the movie would make an extra thousands of dollars more believe it or not TRISH has THOUSANDS OF FANS!!!that would pay the 10$ fee to watch her on the big screen i know it sounds a little crazy but its true ask any fan on facebook or youtube or something she is really loved
Not a bad idea including a wrestler in the cast… action hero kicking ass that can only be Chyna of course she has made movies before and is looking pretty tasty atm! come to that if it comes to handling heavy weapons and ordinance she has the build and strength to be beliveable I hope some frail little waif doesn’t get drafted in as eyecandy though I fear that is very likely.
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Hamilton
Pam Grier
Lucy Lawless
Brigitte Nielsen
Jamie Lee Curtis
Uma Thurman
Angelina Jolie
Michelle Yeoh
Milla Jovovich
Michelle Rodriguez
Halle Berry
Geena Davis
Queen Latifah
Zoe Saldana
Kate Beckinsale
Carrie-Anne Moss
Chloë Moretz
Lucy Liu
Gina Carano
Rose McGowan
Rhona Mitra
Noomi Rapace
Bridget Fonda
Famke Janssen
Sharon Stone
Jennifer Garner
Paula Patton
Ali Larter
Devon Aoki
Jennifer Lopez
Daryl Hannah
Jada Pinkett Smith
Tia Carrere
Keira Knightley
How is Summer Glau not on EVERY ONES list??? I agree with the same twenty everyone else seems to be copy pasting like it was their own idea but seriously where is Glau…
Linda Hamilton as lead!
Weaver as the villain! (warden)
Plot could be an all woman prison island! Let them year the place apart!
Villan – lucy lu
Female expendables –
Lucy lawless
Kate beckinsale
Mila jovovich
Maggie Q
Charlize theron
Angelina jolie
Female Expendables
Linda Hamilton
Milla Jovovich
Kate Beckinsale
Zoe Saldana
Rounda Rousy
Uma Thurman
Michelle Rodriguez
Alison Brie
Maggie Q
Villans
Sigourney Weaver
Anglina Jolie
Malin Akerman
Rosario Dawson
Gina Carano
Lucy Lawless
Lena Headly
Cameron Diaz
Lucy Liu
that villain list needs GRACE JONES and that expendables list could do with GEENA DAVIS, DEMI MOORE and CARRIE ANN MOSS!
what about petra wilson (old Nikta) and Sarah michellle gellar and eliza dushu (buffy the vampire slayer)
^^^ yes to sarah michelle gellar and eliza dushku!!!!
kelly hu (x and rene o connor (xena) and susan lucci (all my children)
You did not just list Susan Lucci! Really?
You are forgetting Katee Sackoff, Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica. Probably one of the hottest action heros ever. And girl can kick a$$!!
1. Angelina Jolie proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in “SALT” that she is a serious action star. And still has it. I can’t wait for the sequels.
2. Geena Davis proved it in “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and “Cutthroat Island”.
3. Demi Moore did so in “GI. JANE”.
4. Sharon Stone for “Total Recall” and “The Quick and the Dead.”
5. Jessica Alba: I would LOVE to see Jessica Alba back in action movies. Remember the TV show “Dark Angel”? She whipped serious tail throughout that entire show.
Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Garner, Lucy Liu, Gina Carano are obvious of the current generation.
Oh, and Linda Hamiliton is to female action just as important as Stallone to male action. T2 was perhaps one of the best action films of all time. Same with Sigourney Weaver.
As for female Pro Wrestlers? Not only does Trish Stratus not look like she has aged a single day, she is a great athlete. She could make one hell of a villain.
Oh, and lets not forget Carrie-Ann Moss from “Matrix”.
Michelle Rodriguez being one of the obvious ones of the current generation.
Greetings from Germany. My list for the Female ‘Expendables’:
Linda Hamliton and Carrie-Ann Moss as head of the good,
Chloe Grace Moretz as the daughter of Hamilton,
Angelina Jolie, Saoirse Ronan as the daughter of Jolie, Michelle Yeoh, Jeeja Yanin, the daughter of Yeoh, Michelle Rodriguez, Kate Beckinsale, Scarlett Johansson, Mila Jovovich;
Sigourney Weaver and Yukari Oshima head of evil,
Jiang Luxia daughter of Oshima,
Cate Blanchett, Lena Headey, Maggie Q, Rhona Mitra, Charlize Theron, Ngo Thanh Van, Katee Sackoff, Gina Carano;
We hope this film by heart!!
This definitely sounds of fun.
The Old Dogs:
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Hamilton
(Two above should be on the list no matter what, although in Linda case is quite uncertain because she seems retired out her movie career completely),
Pam Grear (The undisputed queen of 70s badassery).
Cynthia Rothrock (Quintessential queen of 80s B action movies).
Angelina Jolie (kickin’ everybody asses since Cyborg III in early 90s).
Michelle Yeoh (been playing around with Jackie & Jet since the 80s).
New Puppies:
Maggie Q
Zoe Saldana
Michelle Rodriguez
Milla Jovovich
Gina Carano
Kate Beckinsale
Rhona Mitra
Noomi Rapace
Chloe Grace Moretz
Saoirse Roinan
Notable misses:
I really want to put these 2 actresses on the list but have to omitted because of certain reasons.
Jennifer Lopez: I really wish she keep doing what she did in the 90s with Out of Sight, Anaconda, U-Turn, Money Train & The Cell, build her career in as action/dramatic actress…. instead, unfortunately since the 2000s she is playing it safe by building her movie career in sacharine induced romcom flicks. What a waste.
Carrier Ann Moss: Yes, she did kick plenty of asses in Matrix trilogy, but i keep wondering, what she’s been up to lately?
Both Carrie Ann Moss and Linda Hamilton were on “Chuck” over the final season, both doing what they do best Kick Ass. So no neither has retired from the kick assery business!
This movie will bomb.
—- why is there no mention of the biggest baddest black woman and equal to sigourney weaver and linda hamilton?…….GRACE JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, it looks like the only determining factor for who should be involved in this movie is that the female actress had at one point been in a slightly actiony movie and possibly even uttered a mildly harsh word at one point in her acting career. A lot of the women mentioned are hardly the definition of badassery. A couple of them shouldn’t even be in the room when the word “badassery” is spoken!
Look who was in the original Expendables: Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lungren, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews. My god, even the supporting actors were badasses: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, and “Stone Cold” Steve Freaking Austin (I’m like 95% sure that “Freaking” is in fact his middle name lol)! That’s like an entire world’s supply of testosterone in a single movie.
The fact is that a single movie or a fight scene does not make one an iconic action hero. Zoe Bell? I couldn’t even pick her out of a line up if my life depended on it. Understanding the definition of the word badassery well enough to fake your way through a single action sequence isn’t enough. We need women who embody the word.
So, who do we got:
1. Linda Hamilton
2. Sigourney Weaver
These two make the cut because they essentially defined the role of female action hero. They’re icons, and not even I can argue that.
3. Milla Jovovich
4. Lucy Lawless
5. Pam Grier
6. Angelina Jolie
7. Michelle Yeoh
8. Cynthia Rothrock
These 6 women have forged an entire career around being a badass. The last two women are badasses in real life, too.
9. Michelle Rodriguez
This lady is hot, but despite this has never played a “delicate snowflake” in her entire career…and that doesn’t make her any less hot.
10. Lucy Liu
I don’t particularly like her, but I can’t begrudge her place on this list.
Nobody else really belongs on this list. Let the new blood continue to take their knocks to get some more experience under their belts.
Zoe bell should be innit. Girl is a legitimate badass in real life.
I’d go for Heroes:
Sigourney weaver
ZOe Bell
abbie cornish (sucker punch’s sweet pea – girl looks awesome using guns)
Gina Carano
Noomi rapace
Linda Hamilton
Michelle Rodriguez
Villains:
Demi Moore
Michelle Yeoh
Lucy Lawless
Pam Grier (token black actress)
Milla J
Katee sackhoff
How is Summer Glau not on EVERY ONES list??? I agree with the same twenty everyone else seems to be copy pasting like it was their own idea but seriously where is Glau…
I would love to see Summer Glau fight Gina Carano, like Jet fought Dolph. That would be crack cocaine for the eyes!
To officially put down the rest of my must haves list:
Sigourney Weaver
Linda Hamilton
Lucy Lawless
Angelina Jolie
Milla Jovovich
Michelle Rodriguez
Zoe Saldana
Kate Beckinsale
Chloë Moretz
Lucy Liu
Rhona Mitra
Noomi Rapace
Jennifer Garner
Jessica Biel
Jessica Alba
Devon Aoki
Tia Carrere
Trish Stratus
Lena Headey
Their are many other honorable mentions, lets face it we have had too many to count awesome kick ass women in our movies over the years, maybe even more so than men in the last ten. We can’t put them all in… The first one…