A social media post by rapper and actor 50 Cent has ignited controversy surrounding the promotion for the upcoming action sequel The Expendables 4. 50 Cent directly called out lead actor and producer Sylvester Stallone for an apparent misstep in the marketing efforts just one month before the film’s scheduled release date.
The angry Instagram post accused Stallone and the movie’s team of not properly coordinating promotional plans with 50 Cent, suggesting fundamental disconnects amongst the key players involved in getting the aging franchise’s next installment to theaters. This public airing of grievances hints at possible deeper tensions simmering behind the scenes of the star-studded blockbuster.
50 Cent Accuses Stallone of Failed Promotion Coordination
On Tuesday, 50 Cent took to Instagram to criticize Stallone and the Expendables 4 team for not properly promoting the movie, set to release on September 22nd. In a post with a promotional movie poster, 50 Cent wrote: “WTF Sly, you tell me to show up and I do the promotion for expendables 4. [you] change the release date and don’t tell me or ask me to reshoot. trash.”
The post suggests Stallone failed to inform 50 Cent of a change in the film’s release date, leading to outdated promotion on the rapper’s part. This apparent oversight angered 50 Cent, who felt blindsided by the shuffled schedule. Reps for Stallone did not immediately respond to requests for comment on 50 Cent’s claim. But the public call-out put tensions between the co-stars on full display just a month before the sequel’s big premiere.
Shifting Creative Direction Causes Further Friction
This is not the first sign of conflict surrounding The Expendables 4. Earlier this year, Stallone announced that Jason Statham’s character Lee Christmas would take over as protagonist, rather than Stallone’s Barney Ross.
“It’s always exciting to breathe new life into the Expendables franchise by expanding the mythology and introducing new characters,” Stallone said in a statement at the time. But some saw the move as a demotion for the decade-spanning franchise’s central hero Stallone, hinting at possible disagreements behind the scenes.
Now 50 Cent‘s post further indicates turbulence within the production, with stars apparently out of sync on the film’s rollout. With just weeks until the scheduled release, promotional efforts will need to get back on track for the aging franchise to try and replicate past success.
Action Stars Look For One Last Hurrah
Regardless of the current controversies, “The Expendables 4” aims to deliver the over-the-top action and seasoned tough-guy characters that fans have come to expect. Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham return alongside series staples Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and more. New additions include Tony Jaa, Megan Fox, and Andy Garcia.
If the movie can overcome this promotional road bump and stick to its September 22 target, it could offer one last thrilling escapade for the band of grizzled mercenaries. But 50 Cent’s call-out reveals tensions that could plague the production right up to release day.
50 Cent’s angry Instagram post dragging Sylvester Stallone over a botched promotional effort has exposed conflict behind the scenes of The Expendables 4. With the sequel just weeks away, this public airing of grievances suggests the production is not exactly smooth sailing. Time will tell whether the veteran action stars can work through their issues or if promotional struggles are a harbinger of deeper problems for the aging franchise. But one thing’s for sure – tons of grizzled muscle and gunfire await when The Expendables 4 finally hits theaters.
Source: cinema blend
