Just learned about Expendables 3 (in filming, apparently)

The new cast for the third film really caught my eye! Also, the conspicuious abscence of Charisma Carpenter, which I will research when time allows.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2333784/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4

The Expendables and The Expendables 2 were action-packed, ultra-violent, bloody films especially notable for their amazing cast, which stated out with Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, and a dazzling host of others, and the precious Charisma Carpenter. Brief cameos were contributed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

Expendables 2 brought basically everyone back, plus brought in two big names, Walker, Texas Ranger (Chuck Norris) and martial arts hero Jean-Claude Van Damme. An expanded role was given to Schwarzenegger.

You'll notice that all these "big names" are action stars with a impressive reputation. That is the point. These movies are not anything artful or meaningful. They are impressive, and designed as well oiled cash-engines. They are serving that purpose rather well.

At the time, I complained that they had missed some of the perfect cast members, and Mel Gibson was on that list. Now, he is in this third incarnation, so I have some hope for the others perhaps. They have added Wesley Snipes, which will excite many people. I never thought of Antonio Banderas or Harrison Ford specifically, but they are rather appropriate for the style of the movie and in fact add to the eccentric mix. Kelsey Grammer, on the other hand, I had never imagined in such a movie, except I would imagine he could play an unsympathetic by-the-book aloof lawyer quite well, and perhaps that is his role. Personally, I hope he has a role which stretches the range of his acting skill (I doubt that will happen with the money-fiends sapping the actors' reputations for all they are worth). That would be the only reason (I can see right now)to make this movie worth seeing this in the theater, aside from social reasons.

Two action stars that are shamefully omitted are Samuel L. Jackson and Malcolm McDowell. If either one is brought in for a fourth, or the return of Charisma Carpenter, I will have a new reason to visit the franchise in the theater and pay good money.

Note: I just found this on Kelsey Grammer
http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/kelsey-grammer-joins-beefcake-brigade-in-the-expendables-3/
I may have to look up the YouTube trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction
And on Banderas:
http://www.latina.com/entertainment/movies/antonio-banderas-joins-expendables-3#axzz2iJWF5ZC4
And one of the best-all-over finds:
http://www.liveforfilms.com/2013/08/30/first-look-at-arnie-harrison-ford-on-the-set-of-the-expendables-3/

Doing my research on Charisma: still unclear: but I get the feeling she is not in the film.
http://www.parade.com/28266/erinhill/0818-charisma-carpenter-the-expendables/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charisma_Carpenter
http://expendables.wikia.com/wiki/The_Expendables_3
http://www.starpulse.com/Actors/Statham,_Jason/Videos/?vxChannel=&vxClipId=&clip_id=cSffPT9OEtH5k1taOiyjTQ&video_title=The+Expendables+-+Exclusive+Interview+With+Charisma+Carpenter
?!? http://www.latina.com/entertainment/movies/exclusive-charisma-carpenter-says-shell-reprise-her-role-expendables-2#axzz2iJWF5ZC4