When Sylvester Stallone directed the first Expendables film reuniting the who’s who of 80’s male action stars, at first preview audiences snickered at the thought of these guys nearly 30 years past their prime hitting the big screen once again. But with a worldwide gross of nearly 600 million dollars, they still got it and we still root for them. Now there is talk on the internet of an All-Female version of The Expendables.
The worst kept secret in Hollywood is that female driven action films doesn’t translate well in box office dollars. This is one of many reasons why no Wonder Woman feature is out yet. So much money is wasted each and every year by film companies who take chances on projects that beg the question… why? Why chose that over something like this?
I hope an all female action film gets done. I think we’ve come a long way as a movie going society to accept such a concept. I have a few suggestions of my own on this all star lineup, some obvious and some maybe not so obvious.
THE MUST
Sigourney Weaver – Her portrayal of Ripley in the Alien films franchise is the benchmark for every other female bad ass that would follow. Any woman who could confront an Alien and call them a “bitch” is worthy. So, if an all female Expendables film is to be made, Sigourney Weaver had better be on that list.
Linda Hamilton – Besides the character of Ripley, Sarah Connor is probably the most notable female action hero. Linda’s Sarah went from meek and somewhat timid in the original Terminator to a muscle ripped fighting machine in T2. Never mess with a mother protecting her child especially if she knows how to handle a variety of weapons.
Milla Jovovich – as Alice from the Resident Evil film series, Milla has all the moves that would even make Jagger jealous. She is also bankable with five films of the series already made and most likely a sixth one on the horizon. Milla’s Alice is cut from the same cloth as Sigourney’s Ripley and Linda’s Sarah. She’s in.
SHOULD BE THERE
Angelina Jolie – From Lara Croft to Mrs. Smith, Angelina Jolie should be considered for any film that showcases the very best female action stars of the last three decades.
Gina Carano – The most recognizable female MMA star more than held her own in her debut film Haywire. So much so, that I think she should be seriously considered to play Wonder Woman should Warner Brothers ever grow a pair and move forward with this lingering film project.
Katee Sackhoff – With all due respect to Dirk Benedict, Katee is Starbuck. The reimagining of Battlestar Galactica on the SyFy channel yielded many fine performances most notably the cigar smoking & whiskey drinking Ms. Sackhoff. It would be a fraking crime to leave her out.
THE LONG SHOTS
Lucy Lawless – The Warrior Princess herself. Playing Xena for seven seasons, Lucy showed that she was a force to be reckoned with. Her character may have emerged from the shadows of the Hercules series but to many, Xena was the better and more exciting of the two.
Jennifer Garner – The former star of Alias and the best thing about the movie Daredevil when she played Elektra, Jennifer shows that she physically has what it takes to hold her own and be an action star.
Michele Yeoh – Not only did she dazzle us in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon but she also has the distinction of being a Bond Girl. She is a screen veteran and one tough martial arts momma.
Honorable mentions would include, Carrie Anne-Moss (MatrixTrilogy), Cynthia Rothrock (No Retreat, No Surrender), Paula Patton (M:I Ghost Protocol) and Zoe Saldana (Star Trek)
And to not be overlooked… Megan Fox… I’m just kidding!
If you want to have fun with casting the villains, I would get Grace Jones (hair style and all) & Bridget Neilson. And who better to lead the good gals than Foxy Brown herself, Pam Grier.
At the end of the day, did I miss anyone? I’m sure I did. But that’s the fun part of this blog, to be able to debate on what we would like to see and with who. Oh, and before anyone talks about any of these ladies being long in the tooth, did you see Sly Stallone or Van Damme or any of these guys? God bless them, but only Joan Rivers challenges them for the most expressionless face in Hollywood.
You have my thoughts, now tell me yours. Who would you like to see save our world?
May the Dork be with you,
