Filming for
The Expendables sequel is set to begin in just a few months and we've had rumors abound about who will be joining the cast of some of film's great action stars of all time. We know that Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke, among others, will be returning for the second film and that Jean Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and John Travolta are all rumored to be involved as well. Just yesterday, we learned that Donnie Yen (
Shanghai Knight and
Blade II) was in talks to join the cast as well. He would be taking the place of Jet Li as the representitive of the Hong Kong matrial arts genre. But there was one thing that I think is missing from this sequel that I think could add a whole new level of interesting to the film: a female action star. We all know there are plenty to choose from and all of them have, in my book, earned the right to be featured in a film like this. So, below you will find a list of kick-ass females whoe could take on a role in
The Expendables sequel
Now, before I go any further, I would like to point out that
The Expendables does have a
comic book series that was created after the release of the first film. The series, written by Chuck Dixon, art by Esteve Polls, was produced for Dynamite comics and was a four-part series. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the idea that a second part to that series is released once the film sequel hits theaters next summer.
With each option below, I have also included a bit of a film bio as well as why I've selected that particular actress to be a part of this poll. If you feel that I have left some one off the list, feel free to let me know below.
Linda Hamilton Films: Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day
There are two actresses on this list that I feel are best fit for
The Expendables and Linda is one of them. Not only is she only is she older and would fit with the other older actors in the film, but in the two
Terminator films she starred in, she kicked ass in both of them, cementing her status among some of the toughest women in Hollywood.
Michelle Yeoh
Films:
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Sunshine, Tomorrow Never Dies Michelle Yeoh is among the top martial artists/actors out there and like Hamilton, she is older and would likely fit in with the characters better. But, with Jet Li or Donnie Yen being involved, would they step on eachother's toes, so to speak? Maybe toss her onto the bad side and call it good?
Zhang Ziyi
Films: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Rush Hour 2, Hero
Like Yeoh, Ziyi is well respected for her martial arts talents, as well as her talent for acting. Being a bit younger, she may have a harder time meshing withe other actors, but with the right story, they could make it work.
Milla Jovovich
Films: Resident Evil Series
, The Fifth Element, The Messenger I think we'd all agree that Jovovich can fight. In just about every film we've seen her in, her skills in the martial arts is amazing to watch, providing for some great action sequences. Adding her to the cast would add the potential for a much faster paced fight scene that seemed to be missing at times in the first film.
Sigourney Weaver
Films: Alien, Ghostbusters, Avatar This woman is the other actress that I see fitting in the best with the current cast of
The Expendables. She is up there in the years, but she still kicks ass,
and she can act. She played one fo the most iconic characters in the sci-fi and horror genres and a film like this would allow her to re-visit a genre she hasn't been seen in for some time.
Ali Larter
Films: Resident Evil Series,
Final Destination, Heroes
Another strong female who has made a name for herself in action films and TV series. However, I don't think Larter is as capable in fight sequences as some of the other actress here. While I wouldn't mind seeing her take part in this film, there are other actresses I'd rather see take part first.
Angelina Jolie
Films: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Tomb Raider, Wanted
Not only is she hot, Jolie is among the top actresses in Hollywood right now. She has proven herself capable of handling an action role as well, as can been seen in last year's
Salt and other past films. Problem here is whether or not she is too big for a film like this.
Uma Thurman
Films: Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2, Pulp Fiction
Uma Thurman is not only a great martial artist, but she is a great actress. She would be able to add a bit of quirkiness to the film, but in a good way. She would be able to take on either a good or bad role for the film as well, as she has proven she is capable of both.
Kate Beckinsale
Films: Underworld Series
WOuld anyone be angry at me if I included Kate just in hopes that she would don a skin-tight pleather suit again? She can also handle action scenes with out a problem and look damn good doing it!
Pam Grier
Films: Escape from LA, Jackie Brown, Jaw Breaker
Another actress that could add a bit of a different element to an
Expendables sequel, as well as fitting with the cast quite well as far as age goes. I could picture Pam Grier taking on a male opponent and totally kicking his ass. It would make for a fun scene.
Jennifer Garner
Films: Daredevil, Elektra, Alias
I believe that her acting skills are overshadowed by her her fighting skills, but I think there are several other actresses I'd choose over Garner. However, she is hot and would be fun to watch on screen. That's about it here.
Demi Moore
Films: GI Jane, Striptease
I included Demi more for her age than her action film resume, as she really hasn't done a ton of action films. However, she is a very able actress and could eaily transition into an action role without a problem. Sadly, we haven't seen her do much recently besides babysit Ashton Kutcher.
Summer Glau
Films: Serenity, Firefly, Doll House, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
I added Summer mainly for her amazing talent in the martial arts field, which has been very prevelent in her roles in both film and television. I could picture her in a role very similar to Miho in Robert Rodriguez's
Sin City, a kind of silent killer type.
Chloe Moretz
Films: Kick-Ass, Let Me In
A bit of a left-field choice here, but her work in the above mentioned films is extremely impressive, both in fighting and in acting. She could definitely throw in a different feel to the film, but I fear that she would just be too out of place among the other actors.
Brigitte Nielsen
Films: Red Sonja, Rocky IV, Cobra, Beverly Hills Cop II
Another out-of-left-field choice here, but if you are going for 80's action film stars to put in a film, she definitely fits the bill. She is incredibly unstable and couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, but she has worked with Sly Stallone on two different occasions and it would be interesting to see it happen once again.
Cynthia Rothrock
Films:Tiger Claws, Martial Law, China O'Brien At the request of my fellow CBMers, I have added Cynthia. I will admit, I had never heard of her, but on look her up, she is like a female Van Damme, as
nailbiter put it. So here she is!
Michelle Rodriguez
Films:Avatar, SWAT Another late addition. While I'm personally not a fan of rodriguez, she is an action star and should be included here. She definitely has the grit required to be a part of this film.
So, there are your choices. If they were to include a female (or two) in the upcoming
Expendables sequel, who would you choose to fill the role? Be sure to vote below and as I mentioned earlier, let me know if I missed someone or if you have an additional name that should be included.