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Jason Statham’s Failed Franchise Reboot Is Being Cut From Paramount+
Jason Statham's 2024 franchise reboot is set to leave Paramount+ in the United States soon, capping a disappointing chapter in the actor's recent run of box office results. The film, the fourth instalment of an action series that began in 2010 with Sylvester Stallone, was built specifically around Statham after Stallone stepped back from the franchise's demanding stunt work, but the handover failed to resonate with audiences.
The instalment, widely understood to be Expendables 4, grossed just $51 million worldwide against a reported $100 million budget, making it a rare miss in an otherwise mixed but often successful stretch for Statham. By contrast, his other recent films have fared far better: The Beekeeper and A Working Man, both directed by David Ayer, took $160 million and nearly $100 million respectively, while Meg 2: The Trench earned close to $400 million globally. His latest release, Shelter, struggled theatrically but has reportedly performed well on premium video-on-demand.
In short
- Statham's 2024 franchise reboot leaves Paramount+ soon in the US.
- The film earned $51m worldwide against a $100m budget.
- Statham's other recent films, like The Beekeeper, fared much better.
Explained simply
The Expendables is a long-running action franchise that launched in 2010 with Sylvester Stallone leading a team of seasoned action heroes on high-stakes missions. After three successful films, Stallone decided to step away from the franchise due to the demanding physical nature of the work, creating an opportunity for a new lead.
Jason Statham was chosen to replace Stallone and lead the fourth film, released in 2024, with the entire picture built around his character and style. However, the film performed poorly with audiences, earning only $51 million at the global box office despite a budget of approximately $100 million, marking a significant setback for both the franchise and the actor.
This failure stands out as unusual for Statham, whose other recent films have been commercially successful. The poor reception raises questions about the franchise's enduring appeal without Stallone at the centre, or whether the shift to a new lead simply did not connect with the filmgoing public.