WAIT A MINUTE… TWO MORE EXPENDABLES MOVIES?

Some confusion arose over the past month when it became apparent, first, that Gregory Poirier, originally hired to write The Expendables 4, did not appear on leaked images of the latest script.  That was Max Adams.  It looked like Poirier had been quietly replaced.

Then came word that the new film was (probably) going to be called The Expendables: A Christmas Story, a movie focusing on Jason Statham’s character Lee Christmas.  Now though, Greg Poirier says he’s still working on the script for The Expendables 4…

For those who have DMed me after the Deadline article, all is well, this Expendables is a planned spin off all about Statham’s character on an adventure of his own. My Expendables 4 script is still in the works for after this, maybe it’s EX5 now?

— Gregory Poirier (@Greg_Poirier) August 31, 2021

So if Poirier is correct, we’re getting The Expendables: A Christmas Story followed by The Expendables 4.  This particular script, separate from the spin off, features a role specifically written for Kurt Russell, according to Poirier.

One thing is for sure, there is still money to be made in this franchise, therefore Avi Lerner and friends are going to make more.  I’m not sure about the reasoning of putting a spin off before another sequel though, but I’d guess that Statham’s hat in the producer ring might have something to do with it.