The Expendables The franchise has reached a rather low point following the critical and commercial failure of the long-awaited fourth installment, but there may still be a way for the series to continue. The films have been hailed as some of the most popular and expensive action blockbusters of this century, with each episode featuring several new faces who are big names in the action genre. The ExpendablesThe excellent cast is undeniably the best part of the franchise and could be the secret to saving the series from total failure.
Expendables 4 it was the worst of all Mercenaries films so far, with most critics agreeing that its formulaic story completely wasted the undeniable talent in front of the camera. The films have a lot of potential with names like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jason Statham all attached to certain sequels, but writers rarely get to capitalize on their talent. That could definitely change if a fifth film happens, but Expendables 5 would need a new action star to keep the story fresh and original.
The Expendables franchise needs fresh blood and Alan Ritchson would be a perfect new protagonist
Ritchson could breathe new life into the franchise
There's no denying that the crew behind The Expendables the franchise needs to try something new if it wants to keep this series moving forward into the future – and with Stallone likely stepping away from the saga, this is the perfect opportunity for a new face to make his entrance and rejuvenate the films. Alan Ritchson is a perfect candidate for this; the actor is best known for playing the title character on the Amazon show Reach serieswhich is based on the extremely popular Jack Reacher books by Lee Child.
In this series alone, Ritchson has proven himself to be one of the most exciting and innovative faces in the action genre. He has that signature charm and screen presence that actors like Schwarzenegger and Stallone displayed early in their careers, and his dedication to stunt work and fight choreography in Reach It's something to be admired. If he brought that same dynamic energy to the Mercenaries franchise, it's hard to see how this could go wrong. He could be the shot of adrenaline the series desperately needs.
Ritchson's Upcoming Movie With Arnold Schwarzenegger Could Prove His Expendables Credentials
The Actor Could Prove His Worth in Upcoming Holiday Movie
Fortunately, Ritchson will have the opportunity, in the very near future, to prove that Reach It wasn't just an isolated fluke. The actor will star alongside Schwarzenegger himself in The Bag Man, an action/comedy film set during the festive season. The film follows Schwarzenegger's version of Santa Claus as he teams up with a small-time criminal to retrieve his bag of presents before it's too late and Christmas is ruined. It's very different from both actors' existing catalogsbut that's exactly why this Schwarzenegger and Ritchson action team-up is so exciting.
He's an excellent Jack Reacher, but whether he has the same comedic touch as Schwarzenegger and his co-stars remains to be seen.
The bag man should give Ritchson a perfect opportunity to prove that he is capable of translating his dramatic talents into a more lighthearted and comical atmosphere as the maid in the Mercenaries films. He's an excellent Jack Reacher, but whether he has the same comedic touch as Schwarzenegger and his co-stars remains to be seen. If The man with a bag is successful, this could be a very strong step in the right direction for Ritchson's potential Mercenaries foundry.
Even with Alan Ritchson, is it too late to save the Expendables franchise?
The series may be beyond repair
However, there is certainly an argument to be made that Alan Ritchson may not be enough to bring the Mercenaries franchise back from its current low point. The fourth installment was a huge disappointment that really drove audiences away from the series, and it won't be easy to bring back many of those viewers. Whether it is Expendables 4Stallone's terrible visual effects, the increasing decline in the quality of the narrative, or simply the departure of Stallone's main character, all signs are pointing to Expendables 5 not worth it.
If the film wants to be successful, Expendables 5 it needs to be completely different from everything that came before it. It needs a new protagonist, a new roster of supporting characters, and a new overarching narrative that creates enough mystery and intrigue to keep audiences invested in the series. Ritchson would be the perfect new face of this rebooted franchise, following in Stallone's footsteps to create something that is connected to the existing films while also feeling completely new and fresh. This is the only way that The Expendables the franchise can safely continue into the future.