Dwayne Johnson's Potential Role in The Expendables

Dwayne Johnson's potential role as a villain in The Expendables speaks to the franchise's casting trends.

Dwayne Johnson Could Have Revived The Expendables Franchise

Dwayne Johnson, known for his larger-than-life roles, once expressed interest in playing a villain in The Expendables franchise. Despite his action hero status, he has yet to appear in any of the films. The last installment, The Expendables 4, received poor box office results and dismal reviews, leading many to believe the series may be at an end. Johnson's earlier comments hinted at a desire to take on the iconic team, stating during a 2014 AMA, "I want to hunt every single one of them down." The franchise often opts for stunt casting in its antagonists, beginning with Jean-Claude Van Damme's memorable villain in the second film. Given the series' trend and the need for a revival, Johnson's villainous turn could have revitalized the project.

Dwayne Johnson's absence in The Expendables series underscores a missed opportunity to continue a pattern of casting well-known action stars as villains. His physicality and charisma would have complemented the franchise. Furthermore, the decline in box office performance signals a need for fresh ideas. Bringing someone like Johnson would not only align with previous villain casting but may also attract a new audience, potentially altering the narrative direction of the films. However, any role must distinguish itself from Johnson's past characters to avoid repetition.

Highlights

A potential casting choice that may have changed the fate of the franchise remains an intriguing what-if.