3 Years Later, Jason Statham’s Thrilling 4-Part Action Series Is the Perfect Replacement for Fast & Furious Fans

The eleventh, and potentially final Fast & Furious movie doesn’t roll in until 2028, by which time fans will have waited nearly five years since 2023’s Fast X. If you’re missing the big, brawny thrills of the Vin Diesel franchise, it might be time to call on another group of action legends: The Expendables. Spanning four films between 2010 and 2023, the movies are a fantasy draft of every action superstar of the past 40 years, combining to create an explosive spectacle that also featured a future Fast & Furious favorite.

‘The Expendables’ is a Thrilling Action Franchise

The title refers to a group of mercenaries led by Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), who are hired for their skills in combat to do the jobs governments don’t want their name on. In the first film, a job overthrowing a Latin American dictator becomes messy when it emerges the politician is the puppet of a rogue CIA officer. In the second film, the team is out for revenge against an old enemy (Jean-Claude Van Damme) who kills one of their own. The third movie sees Ross up against his old mentor (Mel Gibson), while the fourth sees them undertake the lofty task of stopping World War III.

There are consistencies throughout the series: the plots are outlandish, while both the set pieces and cast only get bigger. Bullets, explosives, and fists fly as the heroes achieve their goal by any means possible, and the ensemble cast is jaw-dropping. Joining Stallone at various points during the films are Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, and the late Chuck Norris, to name but a few. Meanwhile, action stars of the future, such as Scott Adkins, Luke Hemsworth, and Glen Powell, are introduced in future films. The films have been criticized for their plot (only The Expendables 2 has achieved a “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes), but they have secured a cult following thanks to the crossover that many still can’t believe happened.

The Movies Gave Us the Meeting We’ve Been Waiting For

Those who grew up on the action films of the ‘80s and ‘90s knew there were two kings of the genre: Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Once fierce box office rivals, fans often wondered what it would be like if the pair squared up on screen. With the first Expendables movie, that wish was granted. Early on in the film, Barney is offered a mission by his shadowy contact “Mr Church” (Bruce Willis). Arriving at their meeting place, he is dismayed to learn his rival, Trench Mauser (Schwarzenegger) has also been contacted.

Their exchange is short, but filled with barbs at one another. Turning down Church’s offer, Mauser says, “give this job to my friend here, he loves playing in the jungle,” a sly reference to Stallone’s time as Rambo. In response, when Church asks what Mauser’s problem is, Barney quips: “He wants to be President.” Schwarzenegger had only just finished his term as governor of California, and had been away from significant film roles ever since 2003’s Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

Rambo vs. Terminator, Rocky vs. Dutch… the match-up of action fans’ dreams was fulfilled with those men sharing the screen for the first time, with no less than fellow ‘80s legend Willis serving as referee. It’s precisely what makes these films so enjoyable – the chance to see icons of the past team up in a way that didn’t feel possible.

‘The Expendables’ Crowned a Future Fast & Furious Star

While Stallone is the figurehead, Jason Statham is his second-in-command as Lee Christmas. One of only four actors to appear in all installments (alongside Stallone, Lundgren, and Randy Couture), his chemistry with Stallone gives the film its heart, creating a buddy duo that’s impossible not to enjoy.

Fond of wisecracks, knife-throwing, and dealing with his tumultuous love life, he feels like the most rounded and consistent character in the movies, as well as representing the “future” of the action genre. At the time of the first film, Statham had only been in the industry a few years, a relative newcomer compared to his co-stars, but had made an impression with action movies like The Transporter, Crank, and War with Jet Li. As such, it felt like a passing of the torch, with Statham being brought into esteemed company as the action hero of tomorrow.

That blessing was followed by Statham starring in action-packed blockbusters like The Meg, The Mechanic, and, of course, the Fast & Furious franchise. Coming in at the end of the sixth film as villain Deckard Shaw, he would eventually become one of Dom Toretto’s (Diesel) gang, even getting his own spin-off, 2019’s Hobbs & Shaw, opposite fellow tough guy Dwayne Johnson.

Celebrating the explosive stars of the past and furthering the action men of the present, The Expendables has exactly the kind of spectacle-heavy appeal that makes it a comfort watch for so many who love their movies big and brash. 2023’s Exp4ndables was poorly received, ultimately losing money at the box office, but more movies may be on the way, as in November 2025, Lionsgate bought the rights to the franchise. Whether Statham will be leading a new wave of heroes or teaming up with old pals, there is plenty for fans to be excited about.

The Expendables is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.