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Actors who were nearly in Expendables movies


Jean-Claude Van Damme - Was offered a role in the first movie but turned it down, because he felt that there was no substance or development of the character. They say that he was offered the role of Gunner Jensen but did not want to lose a fight to Jet Li. He later appeared in the Expendables 2 as the villain.

Steven Seagal - Was offered a cameo in the first movie (not sure if it were the roles of either Trench or Church) but turned it down because he dislikes producer Avi Lerner. He was also rumoured for the first sequel, but Van Damme did not want him to appear. He was also offered a role in the early stages of the third film, not sure what role if it were either Banderas' or Robert Davi's role but he was rumored to fight Mel Gibson at one point in one of the scripts.

Wesley Snipes - Was offered the role of Agent Will Sands, a role that became of Hale Caesar, but had to turn it down due to his prison sentence, he later appeared in the Expendables 3.

Ben Kingsley, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Ray Liotta were considered to play Eric Roberts' role in the first movie.

Kurt Russell - Was offered the role of Church (Willis' role) however his agent said he wasn't interest in enemble films (Russell does ensemble films any way, The Hate Eight, Fast & Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, ect).

Liam Hemsworth - Was cast in a role for the first movie, but was written out but appeared in the sequel and was killed. Not sure if that role was the same character as it was in 2.

Forest Whitaker - Was cast as Agent Will Sands, a role that became of Hale Caesar but dropped out.

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson - Was cast as Agent Will Sands, a role that became of Hale Caesar but dropped out to focus on his music.

Scott Adkins - Was offered a role in the first movie, not sure what role but I heard Dan Paine (Steve Austin), but I always felt he would have been better off the role Randy Couture played in all three movies. He later appeared as a villain in the sequel.

Jackie Chan - Was offered roles in the first three films, but has said that he'd only play a substantial role. I believe that he was offered Jet Li's role in the first, a role in 2 that later recycled into the Maggie character and a role in 3 that was eventually recycled into Antonio Banderas' role.

Charlie Sheen - Stallone wanted him to appear during early stages of Expendables 2 as a washed-up CIA agent but that idea was dropped, could have been fun to see.

Tom Sizemore - Was offered a role in 2 but was dropped from the final cast list, he was also considered to play the villain during the early stages of 3.

Donnie Yen - Was offered a role in 2 (assuming that it was what became of the Maggie character or a villain role that didn't make the cut) but didn't find the role intriguing.

John Travolta - Was considered to appear in 2, but was unable to appear.

Nicolas Cage - Was considered to appear in 2, but was unable to appear, was also considered to play Bonaparte (Kelsey Grammer) in 3.

Gina Carano - Was considered for a role in 2 (assuming the rumored character of Tool's daughter or a character before what became of Maggie).

Christopher Lambert - Stallone almost included him in both 2 and 3 but nothing came of it.

Taylor Lautner - Was rumoured to be playing role that went to Liam Hemsworth, thank god that didn't happen.

Antonio Banderas - Was offered a role in 2 but had to pass it on. He later appeared in 3.

Clint Eastwood - Was approached about a role in 3.

Jack Nicholson - Stallone wanted him to appear but nothing happened.

Sean Connery - Simon West wanted him to appear in the third movie but his reps said that he was retired.

Milla Jovovich - Was offered a role in 3 but they choose Ronda Rousey.

Other names that were considered/rumored to appear in the trilogy: Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, Danny Trejo, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jeff Speakman, Olivier Gruner, Michael Pare, Michael Biehn, Tom Arnold, Lorenzo Lamas, Carl Weathers, Joe Taslim, Michael Dudikoff, Iko Uwais.

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