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Update: Stallone Says Nicolas Cage Not Confirmed for 'Expendables 3'

by Ethan Anderton
November 6, 2012
Source: El Pais

Although bearded bad-ass Chuck Norris already said that he won't return for The Expendables 3, producer Avi Lerner mentioned that new names wanted for the action ensemble sequel included Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Clint Eastwood and Nicolas Cage. Though Eastwood said he probably wouldn't go in front of the camera for the film, he did jokingly suggest that he could direct. Meanwhile, El Pais (via The Film Stage) talked with franchise star and producer Sylvester Stallone who confirmed that Cage is locked for the film, but is still trying to lock down Ford, Snipes and the return of Mickey Rourke. Read on!

Here's a translation of what Stallone told the news outlet:

We are preparing the film with the same passion and commitment as the previous two. We have confirmed Nicolas Cage, a master actor who gives a veneer intellectual group. Hopefully we can realize to Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes and Mickey Rourke. That is the great mission of the producer. We will continue with the same narrative scheme, the agility and the frenzy, which are inherent to the saga. What will definitely be the last? I can not guarantee. In principle it would be two deliveries, but the affection of the people encouraged us to work on a third. I guess as long as we amused ourselves by offering fun and people, we can continue playing ‘The Expendables’. For now we are not as expendable as it should and as some critics want.

Frankly, I can't see Ford stepping up to the plate for a film like this, but his return to sci-fi in Cowboys & Aliens and Ender's Game doesn't preclude him from doing more action. Snipes will definitely need work after he gets out of prison, and Rourke easily has a spot in the line-up after his appearance in the first film. Cage is a great addition that fans have wanted, and it would be great to see him as some sort of villain for the team to take on, just like Jean-Claude Van Damme. There's no word on when Lionsgate might get this one off the ground, but the wheels are spinning, so stay tuned.

UPDATE: After reporting the story themselves yesterday, Deadline has word from Sylvester Stallone saying he, “has no knowledge of Nic Cage joining Expendables 3." It sounds like the source of this article may have been confused or just mixed up their information from a junket that happened over the summer for The Expendables 2. This doesn't mean he won't join the cast necessarily, especially since producer Avi Lerner wants him, but he's just not confirmed for now.

Filed under Casting, Movie News

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