The Lionsgate movie
The Expendables directed by Sylvester Stallone and starring Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture and Steve Austin is due out Aug. 13th.
Dynamite Comics is set to release writer Chuck Dixon and artist Esteve Polls' four-issue miniseries based on the movie in May.
Newsarama had a chance to talk with Dixon about the upcoming comic series which could give us a little in site as to what the movie is all about.
Newsarama: Chuck, can you tell us a little bit about the Expendables, who they are, and what sort of mess they've gotten themselves into?
Dixon: The Expendables is a collection of professional soldiers who share a history of dangerous military adventures. In the great tradition of these kinds of the stories, each of the guys has a specialty. Martial arts, handguns, explosives etc... This limited series is a prequel that shows them on an earlier adventure.
Newsarama: Now, you're no stranger to hard-hitting soldiers-of-fortune, having worked on IDW's A-Team book, but when you're working on a property that has professional tough guys like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li and Mickey Rourke, how do you approach a book like this? What do you feel sets the Expendables apart from suicide squadrons like the A-Team, the Losers or even the Inglourious Basterds?
Dixon: Star power. Stallone’s written a story that plays to each of his player’s strengths both as tough guys and performers. While they are playing characters with distinct personalities, he’s taken his cues from the “type” that audiences most associate them with. Stallone is, above all, a master showman. He’s going to give the audience what they want in spades. But he’s asked his cast to stretch their personas to match the intensity of the action.
Newsarama: Lastly, for those who are still on the fence about the Expendables, what would you tell them to get them on board? Are there any moments you can tease that you're excited to see hit the printed page?
Dixon: Mickey Rourke, by himself, fighting a small army of thugs sent to kill him by a Mexican drug cartel.
For more of this interview click on the link at the bottom of the article.
While you're here, check out the trailer for
The Expendables below.