His second-coming as an action hero, albeit an ageing one, has been aided by the warm reception afforded by hit movie The Expendables and its ensuing sequel.
With principal photography completed on the third film in the series, Sylvester Stallone rubs sinewy shoulders with his ensemble cast for a new shot, taken between takes on the Bulgarian set of his forthcoming action romp.
The 67-year-old actor reprises his role as Barney Ross – leader of a rag tag group of mercenaries – in the new film, which he developed with screenwriters Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt from his original premise.
Here they come: (back row L-R) Terry Crews, Wesley Snipes (front row L-R) Dolph Lundgren, Sylvester Stallone, director Patrick Hughes, Randy Couture and Jason Statham
In the new shot, Stallone lines up with director Patrick Hughes and returning cast-mates Jason Statham, who plays ‘knife expert’ Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren, who makes his third appearance as the temperamental Gunner Jensen, former American football player Terry Crews, who plays barrel-weapons specialist Hale Caesar, and martial artist Randy Couture – demolitions expert Toll Road.
The group are joined by Wesley Snipes in his first role since seeing out a three year prison term for wilful failure to provide tax returns in 2008.
The 51-year-old actor plays Surgeon in the new film, and he appears to be in great shape as he lines up with his cast-mates.
Ready for action: Stallone returns as Barney Ross, while Wesley Snipes makes his first film appearance since being jailed in 2008 as new character Surgeon
Other stars to feature in Rambo star Stallone’s new blockbuster include Twilight hunk Kellan Lutz, Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson – who plays nemesis Conrad Stonebanks, one of The Expendables’ founding members.
Lutz plays Smilee, the leader of a team of young mercenaries akin to the ageing Expendables.
His group ends up clashing with the older tribe led by Ross, but he and his tech-savvy team members eventually join forces with The Expendables to fight ruthless arms dealer Stonebanks.
Incoming: Former Twilight hunk Kellan Lutz will also play a part in the forthcoming film
Production on the third instalment kicked off at the Nu Boyana film studio in Bulgarian capital Sofia in August 2013, but the shoot almost ended in tragedy when a truck driven by British star Statham hurtled into the Red Sea after its brakes failed.
The original The Expendables came out it 2010 and grossed over $100 million. While the 2012 sequel, The Expendables 2, drew in $85 million.
A fourth film is already in the pipeline, with former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan said to have already signed up for a role.
