Director Scott Waugh, despite The Expend4bles enduring a harsh 15% Rotten Tomatoes rating and a dismal domestic box office opening of just $8.3 million, remains eager to helm a fifth installment. In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, he expressed his desire to return, describing it as an honor to direct such a renowned franchise. While the critical reception and box office figures may be discouraging, Waugh's dedication to the series remains unwavering. He said:

"First of all? Hell yes. I'd come back for a five. I had a blast. I considered it an honor to direct this kind of franchise."

When discussing potential additions to the cast for the next installment, Waugh revealed that his approach is driven by storytelling rather than star power. He emphasized the importance of crafting a compelling narrative before considering the pool of talented actors available. Additionally, he acknowledged that The Expendables has already featured a gamut of '80s action stars and hinted at the franchise's evolution, suggesting a shift towards introducing newer stars to breathe fresh life into the brand.

"I do not have anyone in my mind, I like to service story first, so let's see what the story is and then we can look at the smorgasbord of cool talent that's out there and see who else we can have pluck in and put in. I think the tough part of the brand is we've kind of ran through the gamut.

Yes, we have ran through the entire gamut of '80s action stars. So I think that's where the brand's trying to elevate now with going to some of the newer stars."

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The Future of The Expendables Depends on One Condition

Kevin King-Templeton and Les Weldon, the producers behind Expend4bles, are also keeping the door open for the franchise's future beyond the latest installment. In an interview with the Daily Express, they emphasized their commitment to producing more movies within the series, but their decision hinges entirely on the fans. They made it clear that nothing is off the table, leaving room for various possibilities in the franchise's future.

The synopsis for the film reads:

"A new generation of stars join the world’s top action stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles. Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills to use them, The Expendables are the world’s last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table. But new team members with new styles and tactics are going to give “new blood” a whole new meaning."

In the fourth film in the franchise, the familiar faces of mercenaries like Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester Stallone return. However, this time, the film injects fresh blood into the team with new additions, including Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. While the franchise has traditionally revolved around a dynamic duo, specifically Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone, this time, the torch is being passed to Statham as he assumes a more prominent role, marking Stallone's departure from the series.

Expend4bles is currently playing in theaters.