50 Cent, the renowned rapper and actor, is unapologetically candid about the recently unveiled poster for the upcoming ensemble action film, “Expendables 4.” In a refreshingly forthright social media post, he unleashes his unfiltered thoughts on the promotional image, which features his character, Easy Day, sporting tactical gear and clutching a rifle.
With a dash of humor, 50 Cent, known offstage as Curtis Jackson, doesn’t hold back his assessment. “Did we suffer a budget shortfall?” he queries in his Instagram caption, a platform where he commands an audience of nearly 30 million followers. He further probes, “Why does my head appear disconnected from my body?” The rapper also wagers that Sylvester Stallone, the franchise’s lead, will be presented in a more favorable light. Amid his commentary, 50 Cent cheekily promotes his cognac and Champagne brands through accompanying hashtags.
Interestingly, 50 Cent might have inadvertently brushed against the SAG-AFTRA picket line with his commentary on “Expendables 4.” The nuances surrounding whether critiquing a film equates to “promotion” or “publicity services” remain open for interpretation.
This sequel, often stylized as “Expend4bles,” marks 50 Cent’s maiden appearance in the action-packed series. However, his collaboration with Sylvester Stallone has taken multiple forms over the years, starting with their work on the “Escape Plan” trilogy from 2013 onwards. The return to “Expendables 4” also brings 50 Cent back alongside his “Spy” co-star, Jason Statham.
The trio of preceding “Expendables” movies garnered attention for assembling an ensemble cast of action luminaries from the ’80s and ’90s, including stalwarts such as Stallone, Jet Li, and Arnold Schwarzenegger across all three films. Bruce Willis graced the first two installments, with one-time appearances from Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Mickey Rourke, and Wesley Snipes. The forthcoming film is set to introduce a younger team into the mix, with fresh faces like Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Jacob Scipio, and Levy Tran. Dolph Lundgren and Randy Couture are set to reprise their roles from the initial three films.
A distinguishing facet of this fourth installment is that Sylvester Stallone relinquishes his usual writing credit. While he played a role in crafting the screenplays for the preceding three movies and even directed the first film, “Expendables 4” is devoid of his penmanship.
With a theatrical release scheduled for September 22, “Expendables 4” awaits its moment in the limelight. Amid the anticipation, 50 Cent’s candid critique of the promotional poster adds an intriguing layer to the discourse surrounding the film, sparking conversations about authenticity and artistic integrity in the ever-evolving landscape of cinematic promotion.