The flop that is ‘Expendables 3’

Kai Ryssdal Aug 21, 2014
HTML EMBED:
COPY

The flop that is ‘Expendables 3’

Kai Ryssdal Aug 21, 2014
HTML EMBED:
COPY

To be blunt, “Expendables 3” was a major box office flop on its opening weekend. Part three of the action-packed franchise was the only one to have a PG-13 rating, rather than the usual R.  Although their intentions were to target a younger demographic and broaden their potential audience, the film only grossed approximately $15 million.

“The problem with this movie, and it’s been the problem with this whole series, is that it has this idea that the thing we really want is the great action stars all together, giving us movies they don’t make anymore,” says Wesley Morris, critic at Grantland. “But there’s kind of a reason we don’t make those movies anymore. And this movie is just plowing forward. It’s so bad.”

Case in point, says Morris, the proposed spin-off of the Expendable’s series, in which the leads will all be women, is called “ExpendaBelles.”  Actress Sigourney Weaver was offered a part.

“She, perhaps smartly, said no,” adds Morris.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.