__*UPDATE*

Congrats Expendables fans!!! As of March 17, 2012, Expendables 2 is now RATED R!!! You have won and your voice has been heard!!!



If an R Rating is still possible, MAKE IT HAPPEN, the fans have spoken and the one thing they ALL AGREE on is that Expendables 2 SHOULD BE RATED R. If your making it truly for the fans, do it for the fans.

Patrick
Webmaster of Expendables Premiere

SOUND OFF WITH YOUR OWN COMMENTS BELOW!!
 


Comments

Kayne DeGrenier
01/28/2012 10:50pm

70s, 80s and 90s action stars jammed into a PG-13 film. Not all PG-13 action films are bad, but I mean come on; a sequel to The Expendables? Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Norris, Statham, VanDamme in a PG-13 flick? It's just not right. For a PG-13, NOT only do they have 2 cut down the language... But now the violence has to be less bloody and graphic. It really, really breaks my heart. This movie was written as a Hard-R action flick for fans. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO LET LIONSGATE KNOW WE HAVE A VOICE! BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, WE'LL LET THEM KNOW WE DON'T WANT A KID FRIENDLY EXPENDABLE FILM! LOOK AT TERMINATOR SALVATION! LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD! MAX PAYNE! They both turned out to be PG-13. And what a disaster... US EXPENDABLES FANS WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE EXPENDABLES 2 GETS THE RATING IT DESERVES!

PLEASE MAKE THE EXPENDABLES 2 AN R-RATED FILM! DO IT 4 THE FANS!

I'm Sorry ~ But A PG-13 Expendables 2 is NOT going 2 make more then a R-Rated Expendables 1! I don't care WHO you have in it!

If Chuck Norris don't like the language, cut his character out!

Yeah, we wanna see him on the big screen! But NOT @ the cost of killing this movie!

Expendables + Sequel = R RATING !

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Ronny
01/29/2012 2:17pm

It only works if it's R-rated. The first move was to a great part very successful BECAUSE it was R-rated. If you want to milk out the most money out from the sequel it MUST be R-rated!

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Brandon
01/29/2012 9:37pm

I read that while Chuck Norris was the cause, he simply said he didn't want any harsh language... so why does it automatically need to be PG-13? I mean, you can have R-rated levels of action without having to drop F-bombs. Come on, PLEASE fix this! Make it R, damn it!

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Jack Johnston
01/29/2012 9:54pm

I prefer the R rating, but if its PG13 I'll still support the Expendables on their next mission. -JJ

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Robert Brunt
03/04/2012 2:18am

do you think they could release their (stupid) PG-13 in theaters, realize it was a mistake and then make another directors/R rated cut of the film?

Jonathan May
02/01/2012 10:21pm

There is no way in hell I will see this movie in theaters or support it when it comes out on blu-ray if it is rated PG-13. It has to be rated R for it to work!

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Arie
02/10/2012 6:10pm

You're absolutley right. The Expendables got its glory & fans by being brutal. The movie is made for the real "man" inside all of us. To make The Expendables 2 a PG-13 is just very stupid. Only a retard can come up with this kind of idea. The Expendables is a movie for man over 30 not for teenage kids. Teenage kids don't even care about Chuck Norris. If Chuck doesn't like it, just let him goooo. Just let him make a PG-13 action movie by himself, just don't let his ego screw this one up.

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Paul
02/12/2012 3:51pm

Sort it out!! These action hero's are based for those who have watched them over the many decades. Now we have the chance to watch them in one movie!! If younger people want to watch this,then they will have to wait or as most parents do, they will let them watch it when it comes out on dvd etc anyway..

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02/17/2012 1:26pm

You want a PG13 movie? Go home and watch Twilight with your kids. Let the real men have what they deserve.

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Ozzie Rob
02/29/2012 5:49am

This will be the death of the action movie franchise if released in PG -13 , chuck can f*ck off he does'nt have to be in the film. It has the potential to be epic. If released in PG the cred of every actor in it will be cast in shame forever and careers will never resurface like what batman did to Val Kilmer. Is FOX having a say in the movie?

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dude hallenbeck
01/28/2012 10:51pm

The first film was a success because it catered to a hugely ignored audience. Males over 18. The fact you have chosen to ostracize us is atrocious. I will absolutely not support a film that isn't targeted at me.

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Setright
01/28/2012 11:11pm

The 1st movie was made for the old school action fan guys who love watching these movies and the 2nd should do the same no movie franchise that start R and went pg-13 was any good so dont ruin this one this movie is for us the true action fans

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DaddyKo69
01/28/2012 11:24pm

Can't some things just be left for adults. Rated R for adult content why does it need to be watered down for kids if they wanna see it that bad they can get a parent to take them. I don't hate pg13 at all I hate movies that give up there values to cater for children.

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AyeLewis
01/28/2012 11:30pm

I do a lot of work in sales and I can assure you that ignoring your target market is thwart with danger. Disrespecting your target market is business suicide (Terry Crews in da house).

The target market for a film containing action stars (who for the most part made their money in R-rated action films from the 80's-early90's), is men. Older men, Certainly over 18 years old. They have wives and girlfriends and other men who they will go watch EX2 with. They did it in droves for the first film and they will do it again. If you REMOVE the reason for their attendance, they, (we), won't attend. Period. The reason is, of course, because the film reminds them of their (our), youth. It shouldn't remind them that their needs and desires no longer matter.

Dilute this film and you will pick up an extra 10% attendance from teenagers, (on their first and only viewing). However, you will lose 30-40% of your target audience.......and if they DO watch it, they won't watch it twice. Your legs will be broken, (in a box office sense)

I might add, unless somebody (besides the intellectually-challenged Mr Crews) comes out with a statement soon, that 30-40% will rise considerably.

Change the rating to "R". I don't care if you have to do reshoots or even delay the film's release. Any money or time you have to spend fixing this mess will be well worth it after the fact. Otherwise you have just made a $100m white elephant.

Thank you for your time.

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AyeLewisTheKnobGobbler
03/08/2012 6:18am

you are the gayest of the gay lewis

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deadbrother
03/15/2012 4:40pm

I'm still dead

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Doom
01/29/2012 1:55am

If you care about good action movies and not money, then it should be R/18 rated.

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Deespefd
01/29/2012 2:06am

Many movie R rating is more successful than PG13 movies.

A PG13 rating is expected to attract more viewers, but if the film did not please the fans by expemple it serves no purpose, as to make a film that appeals to the public for this purpose.

Just took the comparison between "Expendables 1" and "The A-Team" and you have the difference !

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Irons
01/29/2012 2:24am

A throwback/homage to R-rated action movies should not be rated PG-13. It just makes no sense.

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Federico
01/29/2012 2:31am

Is how to have capon, fill it and then, before serving, remove everything, you really believe that kids do not go out to see The Expendables just because it was R? Please, I've never seen a kids that say:"oh no mum, that's R rated I can't to see this movie".
You slammed this film in the deepest and darkest hole that exists in the world of the Action, if there is still some chance, WE WANT THE REAL ACTION.
PS: The kids at the name of Stallone, Arnie and Willis, Van Damme and Norris would plummet in the cinemas, although with a R inserted in the titles!
From ITALY, an action fan

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Blaine
01/29/2012 4:26am

This film is becoming a blatant promotion gimmick now. First we get Chuck Norris being used for comic effect, next we get a friggin' Tennis player getting a role in an action movie, then we get a PG-13 certificate stamped on it. It's all about marketing opportunities and advertising, and not about the film anymore. I mean, even Arnold and Bruce being in this is a gimmick..they do not have proper roles, it's all just to make it popular. Gone are the days of sticking to source material and integrity with producers.

This is bad for finances in the long run ... because you will not be able to make a third movie. That will cost you more than anything that the second one will make you. This could be a franchise with 4 or 5 chapters, but now it will be a franchise will ridicule, and zero longevity. How can you afford another 7 months of ridicule?? Avi Lerner is responsible for this, just like he was responsible for the first film's scare of it being PG-13.

I'll wait for LAST STAND with Arnie for a real R-rated action movie.

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Teo
01/29/2012 4:35am

Actually I think the film could buy a good quality to make it more noticeable without scurrilous terms. Action can also be curse words. Just that there's Sly and the game is done.

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Mike... HERE ARE THE 10 REASONS WHY EX2 HAS TO BE R RATED :
01/29/2012 4:54am



-1- The average age of the cast is 55-60 year olds, most of these legendary action stars are known and loved by men (and women) over 18 at least, teenagers don't know, nor care about 71 year old Norris, 65 year old Sly and 64 year old Arnold...

-2- It is the true action fans who really supported the 1st movie, like myself, i saw it 4 times in theaters, sent at least 30 friends that i know of to see it, promoted it on my facebook, and after that, every time i went to see any other movie on theaters for the following 2 months, i actually paid for EX1 and snuck in to see the movies i went to see, then I purchased the blu ray with combo pack and i told my friends to buy it as well. I am not the only fan who has done this extreme promoting, there are a LOT of fans who TRULY miss the 80's style violent and fun action movies, we are truly sick of all these PG13 watered down and super hero movies, we miss our action heroes doing the things we love them for, kicking ass, cursing freely, taking names and not apologizing for it. We, the fans made the sequel possible by really supporting the 1st movie, even though it had a LOT of flaws but at least it had its own charm of not being like all the movies we see on theaters these days, it was violent and rough and reminded us of the good era of action (80's-90's) even with the fake CGI blood everywhere.

-3- A lot of fans like myself are very angry and outraged about the PG13 news and will not support this film if it is PG13, how can Lionsgate/Millenium/Nu Image wan to alienate the very fan base that made the 1st movie so successful? You do not change a winning horse.
This decision turns allies like myself into enemies of the franchise, i went from being the biggest supporter of the franchise to the biggest boycotter i could be, in 1 week, this is to show you guys how huge the disappointment is, like a lot of fans that i have talked to on forums, if this is PG13, i will not give one cent to the movie, i will spread a very bad word about the movie once it is out, will make sure nobody i know pays for it, but the truth is I HAVE TO SEE IT, (like a lot of fans), THIS MOVIE FEATURES THE MOST EPIC CAST OF ACTION LEGENDS so i will go to the theaters, PAY FOR ANY OTHER MOVIE AND SNEAK IN TO SEE EX2 FOR FREE with all my fav action stars, and i will tell everybody that if they really have to see it, DO NOT PAY for this movie and sneak in, so the movie doesn't bring big numbers and maybe we will get a badass balls to the wall R rated EX3 (even with a lower budget).

-4- The Biggest issue for fans isn't really the swearing, although it usually brings a lot of fun to the R rated movies. It is the graphic violence, we are not kids and we know that when someone gets shot, especially with a shot gun, there is BLOOD, this is not a cartoon, it is a movie with male action stars over 50 with an audience of people over 18, when people get shot or stabbed, there is blood, you CANNOT hide that. so if it is very important for the producers to please Mr. Norris, even if there is no bad language coming from him, it has to come from the other cast members, to be more realistic, or even if there is no "bad" words at all, at least keep the action and violence semi realistic, even with CGI blood so there is no need to reshoot. I mean how can Terry Crews's AA12 shot gun be in the trailer? this weapon HAS TO make a LOT of damage and blood, it cannot be featured in a PG13 movie.

-5- This is a mercenary movie, not a spy or super hero movie, it cannot work if it is not R, even Tropic thunder which is a comedy about mercenaries is R, mercenaries blow stuff up and kill left and right FOR MONEY, they do curse they are grown men, otherwise it isn't realistic, if it is censored, might as well leave all the curses and violence in the movie but censor it with a beep or a square that hides the blood, its better than to just hide everything from us like we are little kids. sorry but we do not watch cartoons anymore.
Even for Terminator which is a sic-fi franchise, they realized that it didn't work well at all as a PG13 so they just announced that T5 will be R, and thats not even a movie about mercenaries, for EX2, nobody truly wants an amazing story like a Terminator movie needs, fans just want REAL action with a legendary cast.

-6- Terry Crews said that kids sneaked in to see EX1, well if they did, it was not to see Sly's "old" face on the big screen, it was to see real violence like they saw in Rambo4. And if there was a lot of kids who paid for a PG13 movie and snuck in to see EX1, why did the PG13 movie that came out that day (Scott Pilgrim) underperformed so bad at the box office?
It is very clear that the Expendables movies are made for adults.

-7- A few numbers, 2 mercenary movies:
THE EXPENDABLES (Rated R) : Budget: $80 million
US box office: $103,068,524
= Worldwide: $274,470,394

.THE A-TEAM (Rated PG13) : Budget: $110 million
US box office: $

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mike... REST OF THE 10 REASONS WHY EX2 HAS TO BE R RATED :
01/29/2012 4:56am


-7- A few numbers, 2 mercenary movies:
THE EXPENDABLES (Rated R) : Budget: $80 million
US box office: $103,068,524
= Worldwide: $274,470,394

.THE A-TEAM (Rated PG13) : Budget: $110 million
US box office: $77,222,099
= Worldwide: $177,238,796

They called the EX1 cast "has beens" but We, the fans made them relevant again, they used the hottest actors of that year for A-Team, (the main guy from Hangover, main guy from District 9, main guy from Taken and Clash of Titans, and Jessica Biel from Next and Valentine's Day)
Badass R started franchises cannot work with a pg13 sequel:
T3 cost 200M$ made 435M$ (rated R)
T4$ cost 200M$ made 370M$ (rated PG-13)
lost 65M$
Even Die Soft 4 didn't made more money than die hard 3 after 12 years of inflation. Die soft 4 cost 20M$ more than die hard 3 and only made 17M$ more at the Box office!


-8- Apparently Stallone, Crews, Norris and Lerner seem very confident in the movie, well here is the thing gentlemen, even if the movie turns out as an amazing PG13 movie, everybody, during and after most of the action scene will think/say OMG how much more awesome it would have been if it wasn't censored , if we actually saw all the badass violent action or oh, i feel like Bruce Willis wanted to curse here , but he was restrainted from it.. this is SOOO LAME , only to please the kids…but the kids don't care to see EX2.

-9- Here is a poll from the very well known website: Joblo.com, http://www.joblo.com/?id=40467
it is not a website about 80's action fans at all, it is a regular movie website that covers every genre, and has all kinds of readers… the question is : WILL YOU STILL GO SEE EX2 IF ITS RATED PG13?
47 % answered "NO way, what is the point, only R for me" 825 votes
33% "I WOULD PREFER A R RATING, but i'll still see it as PG13 587 votes (just a reminder, i am one of those who will still see it, but i will not give one cent for it, i will pay for another movie and sneak in to see EX2 for free)
12% "Maybe, depends if the trailers kick ass"
7% "Yes, i don't mind if its pg13" ONLY 7% OUT OF 1765 PEOPLE DONT MIND THAT IT IS PG13 !!! This smells FLOP, I am sorry…


-10- Many times on the course of doing the 1st Expendables, Sly said always approach each movie like it's your LAST ONE, so give everything you can for it…
Is this really the best you can do Mr. Stallone? for your "last" film, reunite all the most iconic badass action stars ever into one movie and make it being censored on every "bad" word, NOT VIOLENT, kid friendly… you Mr Rambo ?!? is this the bad taste you wanna leave to your 30year long and more fans, your last hurrah? A lot of fans have LOST respect for you, but I still do respect you and i pray that you will not do the regrettable mistake to deny all your fans from this real movie we've been waiting for so long to see.

HERE IS A SOLUTION: RELEASE THE MOVIE ON THEATERS AS BOTH VERSIONS, R AND PG13, LIKE THEY DO FOR MOVIES AS 3D AND 2D, THAT WAY EVERYBODY WILL BE HAPPY AND WE CAN ALL SEE THE VERSION WE WERE MEANT TO SEE.

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jim
02/05/2012 2:09pm

great idea!!!! this way everyone is happy but I'd prefer that they would just leave it R..no people under 17 even know half of these action stars anyway

Daniel
02/20/2012 4:11pm

That's a lie I have a 16 and chuck norris is my idol I have a poster in my room and all chuck norris also has many fans of this age who knew him with walker texas ranger series. I rejoice at the pg-13 if I can see it in movies and not expect to come out on blu ray

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Ryo
01/29/2012 5:00am

Within my circle of friends, i am known as THE movie critic. If i told them to stay away from the movie for reasons you already know, at least 12+ friends will stay away from the cinema.

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Subhadeep Chakrabarti
01/29/2012 5:27am

Let me qoute the great Eric Cartman. This is for Lionsgate

"Screw you guys, I am going home".

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01/29/2012 6:28am

Let's do this and from a producer point of view,

The target audience are people in their 30ies, 40ies and more, and they won't bring the kids, teens, because 80% of the movies today are made for the young generation, and not for us.

PG13 means these people who didn't grow up with old school action stars, don't care much.Their definition of a badass action movie is not Expendables.

PG13 means that the main target audience will boycott the movie, tell to their neutral pals to boycott it, and maybe watch it once instead of 5 times in the theaters.

Also, the fact that the studios announced no R rated, Unrated dvd bluray release doesn't mean that the hardcore fans will go to the theater because they will never have a better version, it just means that they will boycott the movie and certainly download illegally the dvd and bluray because they feel betrayed.

PG13 will make you loose money, ironically.

I'm french, and The first Expendables movie did very well in France, but i can assure you that the fans are all disappointed, and their enthusiasm was really high before the PG13 announcment.

Please turn the rating to R, for us fans and for your money grossing !!

Thanks for reading.

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Prakash Mukherjee
01/29/2012 6:34am

Thanks to EX2! I am great happy! I am most fans of Action Heroes as Arnie, Sly, JCVD, Lundgren and Willis etc, but I love Arnie, Sly and Lundgren, they look very challenge men. EX2 must be rating "R", don't PG-13. We want to actions, combats, bloods, gores, huge bombs and very fires, like of Predator, Commando, Die Hard, John Rambo (2008), EX1 mixed movie in EX2. We are very very excite more it. Please sure rating "R" in EX2!!!!!!!! Hope EX2 will be better money than EX1. Worldwide peoples are fan of rated R

Reply

Hope to report again on EX2 rated R

Truly Yours

EX2 Blogman

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MIKE
01/29/2012 1:21pm

AMAZING DECISION EX2 BLOG TEAM, CONGRATULATIONS !!
WE SUPPORT YOU GUYS 10000000 % !!!!!!!

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johnrain
01/29/2012 7:49am

We were us the +18 people who made the first movie a hit, so making the sequel pg-13 to get kids is a betray to fans of the first movie and those that made you Sly got a new franchise.

Go "R-rated"

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BigDave74
01/29/2012 7:55am

Show me one kid born in 1999 who knows this cast, let alone cares enough to drop the price of a ticket to watch them, and I will show you FIFTY full grown paying adults who would love nothing more than see them all in scenes that HONOUR the CONTENT that created their LEGACIES.

The 1st movie tested so poorly in its PG-13 form that it was re-edited and post production FX added to GIVE THE AUDIENCE WHAT THEY WANTED AND EXPECTED from the movie.

This wise decision was rewarded with a 400% RETURN ON BUDGET.

NOTHING has changed out here in viewer land. The only kids who liked the first movie did so because of all the stuff they WERENT SUPPOSED TO SEE. Remove the gore, the AA-12 massacre, and Gunner's 'warning shot', and you give kids a bunch of old dudes they dont care about, doing nothing of interest to them.

THIS FILM SHOULD RECOGNISE IT APPEALS TO THE YOUNG AT HEART, NOT THE YOUNG.

Big difference, and you will learn this the hard way at the box office if you continue with this AWFUL CREATIVE DECISION.

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mike
01/29/2012 1:23pm

verryyy well put Dave !

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Nigel Houseman
01/29/2012 8:01am

When I watch an action movie, I expect it to not hold back. I don't want it to hold any punches. I want it to be as epic and over the top as humanly possible.

When I saw The Expendables, it was everything I wanted to see and a whole lot more. And seeing Sly, Arnie and Bruce together (finally) was a dream come true.

Then when part 2 was announced, I was ecstatic. And having Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris added to the cast made what was an already dynamic experience that extra edge. But something happened. Something happened that changed all that. Someone came along with a knife and used it to castrate something so magnificent.

The Expendables 2 will never be as good as it needs to be, it will be a half assed movie with all the big names forced to hold back for the sake of a bunch of kids that will never appreciate what these action heroes brought us once upon a time.

Lionsgate, For Shame.

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Trevor
01/29/2012 8:59am

Dear whoever might read this,
I have really been anticipating this film since the moment I left the theater after seeing Expendables 1, now it literally feels like I've been punched hard in the stomach and spat upon and for what exactly? For kids who do not know or care who any of these guys are. Look we all know what PG 13 does to franchises, look at Terminator, look at Die Hard. It rapes, ruins, and devours what made them great.

Make the right decision, its not to late.

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Batman
01/29/2012 9:11am

This is great that you guys are taking a stance and making your voice heard. This is truly one of the biggest mistakes in film history to make this movie PG-13. We have the biggest, the most legendary, badass action stars of all time in the same movie. Making this for the 13-16 year old kids who do not even know who you guys are is insane. It's stupid.. it really is. Just take a step back, take a deep breath and think about what you are about to do. You are about to ruin THE action movie fans have waited for 20-30 YEARS. And that is where your biggest fan base is.. people over 20. The only reason why kids went to see EX1 was because of the violence and swear words. If you take those away you are ruining it for the kids and most importantly.. for the real target audience who would actually go to see your movie. You are ruining it for almost everyone. The word of mouth is unbelievably bad. And it's only going to get worse. If you are keeping this movie PG-13, i hope it will flop. I for damn sure am gonna make the best possible effort to make this movie a total disaster. I will tell everybody.. and i mean everybody not to give any money to this. Internet is a powerful tool. Even a handful of people can make a difference when you can reach millions of people in mere seconds. So my message to you people is.. We can make this happen. Together we are strong. We have all the power in the world to make anything happen. If they keep it PG-13 and try to rob us the movie we have always wanted, just don't give your money to it. Buy a ticket to another movie and then sneak in to see EX2. Maybe then they will learn. You can never respect greed. So i say NO to PG/13 Expendables 2. Thank you.

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Dave8545
01/29/2012 9:16am

A film like the Expendables can not be PG-13. It is thematically neccessary to have a certain degree of violence. It seems to us that everyone has sold and you will have to forgive us if we are angry at the fact that the only film that you think would be aimed for adults and action fans is now aimed at kids and making it family friendly. Its just greed. Do you not care about quality or the fans? I guess not. Please make it an R as not only will the film be better but you will still make lots of money and most likely more. Dont sell out.

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A Fan
01/29/2012 9:24am

Can we please have one movie that is for adults and the fans. The Expendables was a breath of fresh air in an industry that is full of kid friendly so called action movies. Now you have conformed to all other terrible Hollywood 'modern' action movies you have become a joke. Almost every news site and fan reported the PG-13 news with anger and distaste. Since the only thing you are motivated by is money, I tell you that I and a number of people think you would lose money at the box office if you make it PG-13. People wont watch it in protest and any hope of a third movie would be dead.

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Ted
01/29/2012 9:26am

Hi. I don´t understand this whole debate about getting the PG-13 rating. This should be a movie for fans of the good old action movies! So please have a look at alle the old movies, I can not see any PG-13 rating! Predator - Rated R, Die Hard - Rated R, Rambo - Rated R, Hard Target - Rated R, Fist of Legend - Rated R .... I can continue this for some hours, but I think you get the point ;)
Please keep it R-Rated!!!!!!!
If I have to decide between PG-13 or Chuck Norris, I say "Chuck norris, go home!" ...

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TT
01/29/2012 10:12am

The first movie had a lot of flaws but it was still great to see all those childhood heroes in one movie. Now that there are practically every big action name of the 80's/90's in the sequel, which many believed would correct the flaws of the first it's a PG-13 Disney movie? No thanks. Like many others have already said, the kids only sneaked in to see the first part because of the blood and violence. Take it off and all you've got is a bunch of has-beens who could've once more been something.

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Blaine
01/29/2012 11:04am

I hope Sly doesn't come out AFTER the movie is released (and after it performed badly) and say "I wanted the R, but Avi Lerner made it PG-13", because that will look pitiful. But I suspect that will happen.

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Mikhail
01/29/2012 11:25am

Hey guys, even in the bloody-cold Russia the first movie was more than welcomed. It's like feeling yourself young again as the actors do in the film. But there's no way to keep this atmosphere if the language and violence is restricted. Please do keep it R.

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Carlo
01/29/2012 11:32am

It is a lost battle, accept it. They wont change the rating and the film will make good money no matter what. And I for once support the PG Rating. You cant always have it both ways, thats what you people dont understand, you guys have been spoiled way to much, it is not just about you people, but also a much younger audience who should have the possibility of attending this film. And the most funny thing is that all of you who are complaining will also be the once who is going to see the film in the cinema anyways. So stop all the baby crying little girly boys.

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Trevor
01/29/2012 12:03pm

:( Thank god very few people share your perspective.

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HetaAnma
01/29/2012 12:50pm

Carlo, you really don't get it. We absolutely will NOT! see this movie in the theater if it sells out. In a world where movies are on Bluray less than two months after it leaves theaters there is no reason to throw away money at this other than to support it. If we don't support it, it will die!

HetaAnma
01/29/2012 12:48pm

Sly, much of the success of the first film was due to the fact that you got early buzz going via your grass roots fan campaign on places like Aintitcool.com (among other sites). We supported you from the beginning and believed in what you were trying to do.

In a world where Arnold went into politics, Bruce went more and more into family films, and guys like Seagal and Van Damme just went into the background, we action fans have seen you as the only standard bearer left for "R"eal action movies. You never gave up and you never sold out, or at least you didn't until now.

Though, many predicated that The Expendables 1 would bomb, it became a huge megahit. In large part, this is because we supported you. I personally paid to see the movie 3 times, and because of me, another 30 or so people saw the movie. This may have only contributed around $450.00-$600.00 of the total gross, but guys like me were doing this all over the world.

We loved what we saw, and moments like Dolph's, "warning shot!" and "A little low!" have become quotable quotes in the pantheon of great action movie lines like "Yipee-ki-yay," "Consider this a divorce!," "Your worst nightmare," and "Live for nothing, or die for something!"

I don't understand what happened. After the success of part 1, why did you feel the need to sell out your biggest fans and lower the bar? If you think we are bluffing and will ultimately go buy a ticket anyway just because of who is in the movie, think again. We are not mindless fans who just see anything because of the cast. We want action and expect it to be up there with the standard set by EX1.

If the rating does not change to an R. I will not only boycott this movie, but I will do everything I can to help fan the flames of discontent, and contribute to this movie becoming the laughing stock it is already becoming.

As much as we love you Sly, we can become "Your worst nightmare" and watch this movie bomb. I hope you realize this before it's too late.


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Benjamin Mathys
01/29/2012 1:04pm

Despite being born in '88, I grew up on R rated movies with Sly, Arnold, Dolph, Bruce (but NOT Norris) thanks to my older siblings. When EX1 came out I was so thrilled with fond childhood memories when action movies were really about action, foul language and violence (and I turned out just fine). The Expendables franchise was created to honor the old action movies. Making EX2 PG13 is backstabbing the people who made the first one so successful by watching it as much as we could. Now you just see dollar signs, but fail to see the first was a hit thanks to... yep: an R rating. It's not too late. Earn lots of money by doing some re-shoots, edit the film into an R. Sure it'll cost a bit more but you WILL make profit. If you keep it PG13 you will only have some money from the crazy Hemsworth fangirls and their moms. But they won't like the movie because they don't know the core stars of the film. And the true action fans will not be seeing EX2 because we have been betrayed. Don't destroy what The Expendables stood for. Make it a win-win situation and make it: Rated R.

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Benjamin Mathys
01/29/2012 1:46pm

P.S.: I also grew up on JCVD films (and, even though I hate to admit it, Seagal films). Sorry I forgot to mention you JCVD, my fellow Belgian! xD

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DanJack
01/29/2012 1:13pm

The thing I don't get, is why was the rating changed to begin with? The Expendables was a big hit, so why try to change the formula for part 2? If TE had only made $40,000,000 or something and did great on video, I could understand shaking things up a bit, but it was a HUGE hit!!! Why change a successful series and eliminate the things that made it popular?

I always thought Stallone wanted to put his all into each film, so I don't understand why he would want to phone in a "Rocky V" on TE2.

If anyone at the studio or if Stallone sees this, just change it already! Give the people the movie they want to see. Raise things to another level and blow the roof off this thing. It's not too late to do reshoots and add in more action. Don't Power Rangers this movie, but give us another Rambo. Give us another Die Hard. Give us another Predator. GIVE US ANOTHER EXPENDABLES!!!

If you do change this and make the sequel an R, we will support you all the way, and hopefully you can turn around the very bad buzz this movie has been getting. If you don't, we will all band together to make sure this movie loses as much money as possible. It's not just about the Expendables series. It's about the very future of the action genre, and I for one will not lay down and just buy a ticket because "Sell-out Chuck" in in it.

"I won't buy this for a dollar!"

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Russ
01/29/2012 1:39pm

Simple as this: Not interested in this movie if it is moved down to a PG13. The whole reason they made the 1st movie is because they were 'tired of seeing action films be cut down to suit the kids'.

At present, Expendables 2 is alienating the only people who bought tickets to see the first movie.

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Carlo
01/29/2012 1:49pm

Speak for yourself. Not everybody is alienated, a big procentage is but not everybody.

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Habedashery
01/29/2012 1:56pm

Carlo it is you who are speaking for yourself. It's not just the "fanboys" and action fans speaking out on this issue. The news is being greeted by mockery and hate everywhere on the net. Literally, almost every movie site, news site, and anywhere a story is run on this is laughing about how much this movie will suck. It is an extreme minority that is still supporting this debacle. Everyone else is going to skip this sell-out crap.

Callum jackson
01/29/2012 1:42pm

I understand what the people are sayin but it is highly unlikely that they are going to change the rating so they need to put out a kick ass trailer ASAP and give us all something to think about

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DanJackl
01/29/2012 1:49pm

A kick ass trailer won't help this movie, as people will know that the most they are going to get is PG-13 violence. By the way, there is still plenty of time to change the rating on this if the studio wants to. These kinds of movies do reshoots all the time, and there is still 7 months before release.

A trailer just won't help because it can only deliver up to what the rating of the movie is.

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Haberdashery
01/29/2012 1:53pm

I will not be paying to see an Expendables sequel that is without all the cool things that made the Expendables great. No shotgun killings from Dolph, no Crews using the AA-12 to chew up guys, no awesome neck-breaking kills from Jet Li, and no hardcore knife kills from Statham and Sly means NO MOVIE FOR ME! I have never had so much excitement for a movie turn into so much hate so quickly. It just burns me up that Sly and Lionsgate sold out on this.

I will not support this and instead I will encourage everyone I know to avoid this movie like the plague. Watch Universal Soldier 4 instead. It will be a hard R.

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Jeff
01/29/2012 1:59pm

When I was watching all those great Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and et al movies back in the good ole 80's, the movies were rated R. They were rated R for a reason: those names conjured images of over the top violence and gore wrapped around great action. That is what The Expendables is about. To remove those elements weakens the entire premise. I am very disheartened about this PG13 crap. I was really psyched & ramped up for The Expendables 2, now I'm just curious. :( All those big names in one movie is like a dream come true...and now, it seems, it will just be a letdown.

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SEND THIS PAGE TO ALL THE CAST OFFICIAL TWITTERS AND FACEBOOK :
01/29/2012 2:01pm

here is my message:

@JCVDonline Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@Dolph_fans Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?


@TheScottAdkins Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@terrycrews Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@Randy_Couture Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@Schwarzenegger Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@chucknorris Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@TheSlyStallone Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

@AllCharisma Hey check out the fans reactions to the PG13 EX2, i fear it will flop you really should talk to Sly :
http://www.expendablespremiere.com/3/post/2012/01/first-post.html?

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Max
01/29/2012 2:05pm

I heard about this a couple of days ago and at first I laughed because it seemed like a joke. When I realized it was for real, it just made me angry and a little sad. I can't believe the people who made the first one would do this to themselves. It's such a stupid move and will just cause the movie to lose money! They have a chance to make an all time great action movie with the best line-up of action actors ever, yet they instead try to make a stupid sequel that betrays the memory and fans of the first movie. Way to screw up Stallone.

No trailer is going to help this unless it's a Red Band trailer filled with killing on the level of the first movie. This movie is getting bad bad buzz!!!

I saw somebody online say it should be called, 'Stop or My Dolph Will Shoot!" That probably is a better name.

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Tim
01/29/2012 2:10pm

i'm trying to be nice about this, but f*ck this movie!!!!! why would we want to see a movie with no violence and killings? it makes no sens at all. the first was great, but this looks like @ss. a trailer for a PG-13 movie will not help at this point even if its edited to look cool. only a msg that the producer have changed this to an R to make fans happy and to make this more action violence. this is the fan's "warning shot" to Lionsgate.

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James
01/29/2012 2:53pm

When I heard about this being a PG-13 my instant reactions was that it was some stupid rumour, but when it was confirmed I was so annoyed by this, still am. It seems like Sly has gone back on his word to make an old-school action film, something he promised they'd deliver to the fans, to grab more of a profit. That would be moreorless the reason why all the fans are angered about this, one thing that made The Expendable an awesome film was that it was a great throw back to the action films of the 80's and 90's, filled with over the top action and violence, classic entertainment and when it's filled so many of your favourite action heroes who you spent years watching, it makes it all the better especially when it's a film with a similar tone as those first action films you'd watch, knowing it was made to please you as a fan of these films. It's something which is mostly missing from a lot of action films today.

I'm 19 so I actually missed those classics in theatres but I was still brought up watching all these films on old VHS tapes, a childish thrill of watching something which you're not actually old enough to watch, seeing excessively violent action scenes, it's just pure fun. Terry Crews pointed out that kids bought tickets to one film and went to see The Expendables and why would that be? Because they wanted to watch an over the top violent action film, it was the same case with Rambo back in '08, kids bought tickets to Meet The Spartans but instead went and watched Rambo which was also a classic throw back to the action films of the 80's and it was still hugely successful even with kids sneaking in.

It will be massively counter-productive to give this a PG-13 rating, the younger audience will probably be the majority number of viewers but they'll see it advertised and know it's not as violent or brutal as the previous film and lose interest, and the older fan base? Their interest went out the window the moment PG-13 was mentioned.

This series has so much potential and it's being thrown away and Sly and the studios don't seem to realise this. So please, really re-consider giving this film an R-Rating the film will be so much better for it. Or, if you must bring the film to a younger audience, then distribute two versions of the film one being R and the other PG-13, that's been done before and the film was a lot more successful because of it.

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Kraig
01/29/2012 2:54pm

I'm in total agreement. A PG-13 Expendables just doesn't cut it because of the action that would have to stay on the cutting room floor. Make it R or don't release it.

It's not just a matter of wanting to see unnecessary gore, but it's about having the freedom to film action scenes that not only celebrate the franchise's R-rated 80's roots, but it's also about allowing all of these great action actors to have the freedom to do what they do best - dispatch the villains in memorable fashion.

The movie fans are not stupid, and you should not underestimate the power of viral marketing these days. It can make or break a movie. So far, EX2 has nearly managed to destroy all the excitement and good buzz it was getting, and all in the span of one week! This is not a good sign for the movie and I think only a drastic re-rating to R, plus some good Red Band trailers will restore hope to the audience and avoid a financial failure with this movie.

Make it R, or the fans R gone!!!

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01/29/2012 4:00pm

It´s really simple. I was going to watch this in the cinema, now I won´t in a million years. Not even rent it. See how that works? Nice way to piss on your audience. Truly disappointed.

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sharnofthedead
01/29/2012 4:32pm

I am beyond the point of rage, beyond the point of just...i actually feel so mad it's unreal. All i can ever think is what it could have been, no matter what they do. Chuck Norris can F*** himself, i thought he was supposed to be one of the so called bad asses, sounds like a pansy! Axe him from the film. Ever since i was 10 this was all i wanted, now it's being destroyed because we live in this Bieber/twilight generation. I DON'T WANT TO SEE DIRECTORS CUT AT HOME!!! I WANT IT IN THE CINEMA SO I SCREAM!!!! THAT WAS AWESOME!

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Greg Gorg
01/29/2012 4:42pm

Make it R or release it straight to DVD.

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Patrick Krueger
01/29/2012 4:45pm

Expendables 2 rated PG-13?! That cannot happen. I don't know why you've decided to do that. Expendables was rated R and it was number 1 at the box office for two weeks in a row. Who would've thought an action flick would've done that, plus it made a lot of money. So to say rating it PG-13 would bring in more is ridiculous. People my age with teenage sons will take them to see the movie anyway. If you change the rating the only thing you'll do is take away the audience who made the first one such a hit. Please reconsider and keep it rated R (unless you want to lose you're audience.) Thanks

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marc krueger
01/29/2012 4:53pm

once again it looks like the suits are taking over. bottom line if we make this movie pg-13 we'll make more movie. while their at it let's throw in candy canes and santa claus. these movies are not supposed to be for children. they are supposed to be for adults who grew up watching these movies. there are probably worse things on tv that kids are watching. if you do make expendables pg-13 you're basically saying you don't care about the fans who would have probably brought their teen kids anyway

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sam
01/29/2012 4:56pm

just no...Please don't have this be PG-13...
Why did Expendables work so well in the first place? It was gory over the top, and fairly profane. Take all this away, and I don't care what stars are in it, you have a fairly tamed PG-13 action film...
Please...Something as epic as the Expendables deserves and must be R rated. I'M BEGGING!!!

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Patrick
01/29/2012 5:22pm

Certainly the expendables 2, would have to be category "R", but they Lionsgate or rather, would have to understand that the fans do not want a movie about sex and profanity in bulk. We want to see a movie of big punches and kicks in the ass by the biggest icons in action ... we have not been "some" 20 or 10 years may be. to see how they caress!, as baby ....
Chuck norris' sure would not have minded the category 25 years ago ...

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Jeana
01/29/2012 5:23pm

As an adult female action fan I think a PG-13 rating is stupid.
I watched the first Expendables 3 times in the theater and LOVED every minute of it each and every time! If this movie stays PG-13 I will NOT go and see it and my family and friends won't either and we all saw the first one several times. I loved the first one so much I have it on Bluray and have watched it several times. If this doesn't change back to R not only will I not go and see this but I will not buy it on DVD either.
VERY BAD idea on who ever made this decision!!!!!

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Haralds
01/29/2012 5:25pm

Yo, Sly!

Don't look at all of this as some kind of hate driven movement. Cause the fact of the matter is - we love you, man. I mean, right now, for example, as I am writing this, I have "The Expendables" poster in my room, a steel book "Rambo" DVD and the Heavyweight Collection of Rocky movies on my shelf (the rest of my films are all boxed in the basement, I'm about to sell my house).

I'm a fan, man. And I know you hear this a lot, but I truly really grew up watching your shit. The same thing with the rest of the cast. You guys are awesome!

But I can't for the life of mine support a PG-13 rated Expendables sequel. Cause it's a disgrace, man. And you damn well know it.

I understand it was a business move, but is that really the legacy you guys are going for? Businessmen?

You guys do what you gotta do, but remember that there is a whole bunch of people that are getting ignored here.A whole bunch of really loving and supportive people. And just because we're your friends doesn't mean we have to take shit from you.

With that said, I'm out of here.

Good luck to everybody!

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Thomas Brockovich
01/29/2012 5:36pm

This is totally insane! What is going on? Why would they try to kill their own series? Expendables isn't about Shakespeare level stories or kiddie style quick edit fighting like Bond. It's about killin', bloody bloody killin! Why would they do this? So disappointed with all of this. If it's PG-13, might as well just watch The Avengers or Spider-Man. They will have better stories anyway.

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Sir Mixalot
01/29/2012 5:52pm

wuzzz dis shit. why go see dis. whaz the point if there aint no action and blood. the first one is good but dis shit nah. skip it. no need for dis pg13 movie. ill go watch undisputed again.

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Barry Mckeon
01/29/2012 6:01pm

When I heard about Sly vs Vandamme in a fight for the ages, I was excited and thought it would be something on par with the hardcore fight in Lethal Weapon 4 (bloody and brutal). Now I don't think it can be because they won't have blood or a brutal killing of Vandamme at the end because of the rating. This sucks! I have no interest in seeing this junk. I guess action movies are a thing of the past, I'll just go back and watch my 80's action movies again.

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Keith
01/29/2012 6:03pm

What's amazing is that when you can watch a show like 'The Walking Dead' on a basic cable channel (one of the most popular shows on cable tv, and a show that has R-rated violence and action every week) why are they trying to water down a film that is supposedly aimed at that very core audience? And all to supposedly appeal to a few 8 yr. olds who are probably sitting on the couch every week with mommy and daddy watching shows like 'The Walking Dead'. Sorry Lionsgate/Stallone you are about to miss the boat with EX2. You have the opportunity to create an ongoing franchise the likes of no other (in sheer badassery) and instead are choosing to possibly kill any hopes of future sequels, along with this movie's profits by making it friendly to the Teletubbies crowd.

Coming from a hardcore action fan who has watched the majority of big 80's action films over the years this is disgraceful! The Expendables films were supposed to be the ultimate experience for all of the longtime fans of these bigger-than-life action movie stars. Making this film PG-13 is destroying the very thing that made us all fans to begin with... namely the over-the-top, ultra violent, gore fests (usually with a few f-bombs thrown in just for fun) that this genre "used to" deliver. I for one have grown quite weary of the weak, weepy and overly "PC" action films of the current Bieber generation.

Give me films like Terminator, RoboCop, Rambo, Die Hard, Timecop...and yes, Expendables '1'. Because if nothing changes with this rating then I and pretty-much everyone I know will not be seeing Expendables 2. I was another one of those guys who started a small viral campaign of my own when the first movie was released. I saw it 3 times in the theater myself and encouraged a lot of other paople to watch it as well.

Good luck on regaining our trust!

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Andrew
01/29/2012 8:21pm

Someone should post the link to this site on craigzablo.proboards.com. It might get noticed there by Stallone.

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Sharn Daniels
01/29/2012 8:25pm

If this passes as PG13, then real actions movies are dead, i don't care about car chases, Explosions, i want Violent CQC, insane gun play and incredible bad ass one liners, not pillow fights, There are no Good PG13 action movies. A-Team? Don't make me laugh. Theres only one thing i want from this film, no holds barred raw action.

I don't see how it will appeal to a wider audience, other than simply falling flat and receiving horrible reviews with words stating 'NOT AS GOOD AS THE 1ST FILM' I don't care what Norris thinks, i don't want to see cut aways when someone gets shot, or shortened scenes because it maybe too much for a younger audience! The film should be the greatest action movie ever... with PG13 that will be impossible. Why? because it simply won't live up to the greatness of the films we grew up with, every shot, stab, snap, and punch.

They might as well give Justin Bieber a scene because it would appeal to a wider audience.

R or nothing.

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SharnOftheDEAD
01/29/2012 8:30pm

BTW he is a vlog i did when i actually heard this news, i imagen most fans might not only find it funny, but agree 100 percent...and yeah i'm not happy! I have calmed down now, But i still don't like Norris..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIFvVm6Akd0

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Wes R
01/29/2012 10:13pm

As a die-hard action movie fan who absolutely LOVED the first movie, I strongly urge you to reconsider an R Rating for this movie. Your core audience... the people who grew up on the gritty, violent, anything goes R rated exploits of Charles Bronson, Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Statham, Dudikoff, Seagal, etc... wants an R Rating. We see this film as the ultimate of that type of film, since it has so many of the guys we grew up admiring. None of those guys' best movies were PG-13. Period.

It isn't because we want to hear "a lot of cursing" or see "a lot of boobs and gore". "Hard R" movies like Die Hard, Invasion USA, Lethal Weapon, Cobra, and Commando are balls-out in regard to attitude. Anything goes. Villains can be meaner and nastier, ultimately making the heroes of these movies that much more heroic. With PG-13, you just don't get that. There are well-defined guidelines we know going in that the film won't go, as dictated by the rating. Therefore, there is never a real sense of danger. It's entirely too safe. That's not the franchise promised by the first movie. The Expendables wasn't safe. It was "Hard R" and dangerous, and a much more satisfying and thrilling filmgoing experience because of it.

As Speed 2, Major League 2, RoboCop 3, Live Free or Die Hard, Beverly Hills Cop 3 prove... PG-13 sequels to R Rated franchises NEVER work, and almost always lose money. Please don't add Expendables 2 to this list of pathetic failures.

There is still time to deliver the tough, Hard R Rated movie fans have been wanting to see. Please don't let this amazing cast and director wimp out on us with a PG-13 film. I have zero interest in seeing a PG-13 Expendables 2, and judging from the massive fan backlash at Internet sites like MTV, IMDB, Ain't it Cool News, JoBlo, Latino Review, and many, many other movie sites from the past week, I am definitely not the only one.

Thank you for your time.

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Wes R
01/29/2012 11:02pm

It's also worth noting... every movie that has come in #1 at the box-office each weekend this year so far has been Rated R. The Devil Inside, Contraband, Underworld: Awakening, The Grey.

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Rico
01/29/2012 11:37pm

Dear Producers, all fans of the first movie wanna see a real action movie in the tradition of the 80's action classics. So, the movie with such an amazing cast has to be a Rated R movie... anything else is bullshit and not epic. I hope you will rethink about the PG-13 decision, there will be only one right answer. If the movie is not successfull (and I think this could realy happen) you get the bill.

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Don
01/29/2012 11:44pm

Need the film R rated, Stallone you break my heart :(

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Fred Franklin
01/30/2012 12:22am

A big middle finger to the A-hole that ruined this action extravaganza project... By turning THE EXPENDABLES 2 PG 13!!! What happened to the balls of this film? R rated action men in a PG movie together. Whoever thought of that idea is the true king of clowns. And for what? just to fill a rich man's pocket!! It makes me sick!! The fans made your movie successful because you made it for them. Now when you make it for yourself and the man in the black shades and evil smirk tells you what to do, and quit listening to the fans is when you forget the whole reason why you made it to begin with. Stay true to the R and don't sell your soul to the devil Mr Whoever is behind this decision.

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Dave G
01/30/2012 1:11am

Sly, by letting the studio turn this into a PG-13 movie, you have crushed my enthusiasm for EX2. It's supposed to be a homage to R-rated 80s action movies, and it NEEDS that rating. I won't be going to see this; I'll be waiting with fingers crossed for an "unrated" cut on Blu Ray.

Yours Sadly,

Dave G

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JamesZ
01/30/2012 2:37am

Are you kidding me?! You get Stallone, Arnold, Norris, Van Damme, Willis, Statham, Lundgren, Adkins etc. in the same movie and you make it PG-13?! PG-13!!?? This is mind blowingly stupid decision. This is even more stupid than making Die Hard 4 PG-13. You must know that this movie is many action fans dream movie. And these people are over 18 years old! We and our parents are the people who paid to see your movies 30 years ago and we are the people who are paying to see them now. I really don't understand this. How greedy can you people be? Is this what you think about your fans? And don't even try to give us that bullshit that '' this film is large and is delivering on every level ''.. sure Die Hard 4 was large too, Willis came down to AICN and tried to desperately convince people that it would still be the same, just without the curse words. And then we got that piece of crap named Live free or die hard that was pure PG-13 and just awful. And some people actually did believe him. You know what? Not gonna happen again. People ain't stupid. Well some are but most of us are not. I personally have watched hundreds and hundreds of action movies and do know what the difference is between R and PG-13. It will be exactly the same as every other PG-13 movie before it. And don't even try to say otherwise. You are only making yourself a joke. This movie is officially doomed. You think we're bluffing? Sure we are gonna watch it in the movies some of us. But me personally am not gonna pay for it. I'll buy a ticket to another movie and then sneak in to see this. Now don't get me wrong.. i haven't even seen it yet, i might actually even somewhat like it in some parts. But a PG-13 is PG-13, and it is what it is. It's disgusting that you disrespect your fans like this and don't make this movie to the audience that has supported you for all your careers. You think we are bluffing? Well when the movie opens in the theatres and flops horribly... we are the ones who are gonna have the last laugh. It's gonna follow you the rest of your lives that when you had the change to give the fans what they want and have been waiting forever... you screwed it up because of greed. Your legacy will never be the same again. Action fans are gonna remember this for a very long time. And that is it for this franchise then. I would have never guessed that all these people would come together and then say FU fans. We won't make this to you. We will make this to Justin Bieber.

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mike
01/30/2012 3:38am

perfectly said !!!!

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mike
01/30/2012 4:37am

New Official Expendables 2 Trailer #2 (PG-13)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBcHY8Q3v8Q

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Al Berg
01/30/2012 5:59am

The producers should realize that the target group for this kind of movie are grown ups. Therefore,by turning it into a kiddie film out of greed,they'll end up losing money instead of making it.

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01/30/2012 6:02am

PG-13 is a shit! What a way to ruin the best cast in the history of action films :(

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01/30/2012 7:14am

Open letter from ABking to Sly, Chuck Norris and anyone else who had a hand in deciding to water down and cut the balls off this anticipated sequel. EX2 is now in a bad light with action fans and moviegoers. After browsing the internet for reaction I'm 1000% positive this is the WORST MOVE Sly and co. can make. Here are my thoughts: I will only be seeing EX2 once now (most likely).

Everyone knows "ABking" as the the most quoted Stallone and Schwarzenegger fan on the PLANET. Well, even the "BIGGEST SLY and ARNOLD FAN EVER" is not happy with the BAD and WRONG decision of turning a promising KICK ASS upstart franchise into a kids friendly series.

What made the first EXPENDABLES movie awesome besides seeing all those action stars together was that it was a throwback to seeing bad guys get blasted away real good like in such classics as DIE HARD, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, TOTAL RECALL, CLIFFHANGER, MISSING IN ACTION, DOUBLE IMPACT, TRUE LIES, DEMOLITION MAN, THE LAST BOYSCOUT, LONE WOLF MCQUADE, ERASER etc.

Those above movies I listed starred the likes of Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Norris, Van Damme and Willis.

The fact that Sly, Chuck Norris, Avi Lerner, Simon West etc. decided to WATER DOWN and gut this franchise on the second film is going to backfire in a BIG way. People automatically assume that PG-13 means more butts in the seats. WRONG!!! Not for a franchise series like THE EXPENDABLES. Two points...1) the franchise did not start out PG-13 like say MISSION IMPOSSIBLE or BOURNE. Had it started out as a PG-13 then that would be fine. BUT it started out R. By dropping the rating it seems like the film is going in the wrong direction and it is telling the fans and the public 'hey we are more family friendly, bring the kids.' If a films rating starts out PG-13 and then goes to R with a second film at least you can say 'hey they upped the ante'...NEVER do it the other way around. 2) A film like EXPENDABLES begs to be R rated. I mean lets get real here: a movie starring STALLONE/SCHWARZENEGGER/WILLIS/VAN DAMME/CHUCK NORRIS does not scream PG-13. It MUST be an R rated movie, PERIOD! There are going to be SOOO many people that are going to wait for the possible "unrated cut" on blu ray that they are not going to pay to see this in theaters. This WRONG rating IS going to backfire, trust me. I saw the first film in theaters SIX times and loved it each time. I brought friends and family members to it. I will not see EX2 more than once if it sticks with this watered down rating...and I will go it alone so that no one will see the disappointment on my face. Sure I *might* like it, but the "WHAT IF" or "WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN" will always be in the back of my mind.

If you look all over the internet or talk to the average moviegoer that loves action movies what you will hear is "I'm going to watch the bootleg for free, at least I won't have to waste my money on a PG-13 throwback action movie", or "I will wait for the unrated cut", or "I will only be seeing this one in theaters once instead of numerous times like I did with the first movie". I have heard hard core action fans personally say this to me. Just browse the net on sites like AICN, IMDB, COMING SOON etc. and you will see how upset the core demographic is with this decision.

Simon West directed the cult action fest known as CON AIR. I remember seeing that kick ass action movie back in the summer of 1997. It was a true action movie. It had testosterone and then some. It was a hard R rated action movie that was bad ass and it delivered on every level. Now imagine if that film was rated PG-13. NO WAY IN HELL! How can the man that directed such an awesome R rated macho-fest movie like that settle for a film with the BIGGEST action stars on the planet and the film being rated PG-13? Grow some balls Mr. West and let Avi Lerner, Chuck Norris and Sly know you want this film as an R. EX2 should be better than CON AIR.

I would rather EX2 have the true rating it was meant to have and gross 90 million in the U.S. than for it to have that false rating of a PG-13 and gross 180 million. At least years from now when people own it they can watch it over and over and actually love it. LIONSGATE is going to make a killing with EX2 if it is rated R. The U.S. alone will see the film gross 150 million and over 400 MILLION DOLLARS WORLDWIDE.

Would Quentin Tarantino make one of his movies R just to please the studios...NO! Would he sequelize PULP FICTION then say I'm gonna make it PG-13 so that I can get a more mass audience! NOOOOOOO!

Does anyone want to see that epic AIRPORT scene in EX2 with Sly, Willis and Arnold taking on hundreds of bad guys and wiping them out...yet you only get to see little blood or cut-away shots??? HECK NO!!!!!!! I want to see Arnold use that shotgun that was seen in the trailer and blow a hole into someones stomach. I want to see Sly use those two hand guns and put a bullet between someones eyes. I want to see Willis mowing down bad guys with that m

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01/30/2012 7:24am

... (continues from my OPEN LETTER which got cut off)...



Open Letter to The Expendables 2 Team
Reported By: ABking
Monday, January 23, 2012
Open letter from ABking to Sly, Chuck Norris and anyone else who had a hand in deciding to water down and cut the balls off this anticipated sequel. EX2 is now in a bad light with action fans and moviegoers. After browsing the internet for reaction I'm 1000% positive this is the WORST MOVE Sly and co. can make. Here are my thoughts: I will only be seeing EX2 once now (most likely).

Everyone knows "ABking" as the the most quoted Stallone and Schwarzenegger fan on the PLANET. Well, even the "BIGGEST SLY and ARNOLD FAN EVER" is not happy with the BAD and WRONG decision of turning a promising KICK ASS upstart franchise into a kids friendly series.

What made the first EXPENDABLES movie awesome besides seeing all those action stars together was that it was a throwback to seeing bad guys get blasted away real good like in such classics as DIE HARD, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, TOTAL RECALL, CLIFFHANGER, MISSING IN ACTION, DOUBLE IMPACT, TRUE LIES, DEMOLITION MAN, THE LAST BOYSCOUT, LONE WOLF MCQUADE, ERASER etc.

Those above movies I listed starred the likes of Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Norris, Van Damme and Willis.

The fact that Sly, Chuck Norris, Avi Lerner, Simon West etc. decided to WATER DOWN and gut this franchise on the second film is going to backfire in a BIG way. People automatically assume that PG-13 means more butts in the seats. WRONG!!! Not for a franchise series like THE EXPENDABLES. Two points...1) the franchise did not start out PG-13 like say MISSION IMPOSSIBLE or BOURNE. Had it started out as a PG-13 then that would be fine. BUT it started out R. By dropping the rating it seems like the film is going in the wrong direction and it is telling the fans and the public 'hey we are more family friendly, bring the kids.' If a films rating starts out PG-13 and then goes to R with a second film at least you can say 'hey they upped the ante'...NEVER do it the other way around. 2) A film like EXPENDABLES begs to be R rated. I mean lets get real here: a movie starring STALLONE/SCHWARZENEGGER/WILLIS/VAN DAMME/CHUCK NORRIS does not scream PG-13. It MUST be an R rated movie, PERIOD! There are going to be SOOO many people that are going to wait for the possible "unrated cut" on blu ray that they are not going to pay to see this in theaters. This WRONG rating IS going to backfire, trust me. I saw the first film in theaters SIX times and loved it each time. I brought friends and family members to it. I will not see EX2 more than once if it sticks with this watered down rating...and I will go it alone so that no one will see the disappointment on my face. Sure I *might* like it, but the "WHAT IF" or "WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN" will always be in the back of my mind.

If you look all over the internet or talk to the average moviegoer that loves action movies what you will hear is "I'm going to watch the bootleg for free, at least I won't have to waste my money on a PG-13 throwback action movie", or "I will wait for the unrated cut", or "I will only be seeing this one in theaters once instead of numerous times like I did with the first movie". I have heard hard core action fans personally say this to me. Just browse the net on sites like AICN, IMDB, COMING SOON etc. and you will see how upset the core demographic is with this decision.

Simon West directed the cult action fest known as CON AIR. I remember seeing that kick ass action movie back in the summer of 1997. It was a true action movie. It had testosterone and then some. It was a hard R rated action movie that was bad ass and it delivered on every level. Now imagine if that film was rated PG-13. NO WAY IN HELL! How can the man that directed such an awesome R rated macho-fest movie like that settle for a film with the BIGGEST action stars on the planet and the film being rated PG-13? Grow some balls Mr. West and let Avi Lerner, Chuck Norris and Sly know you want this film as an R. EX2 should be better than CON AIR.

I would rather EX2 have the true rating it was meant to have and gross 90 million in the U.S. than for it to have that false rating of a PG-13 and gross 180 million. At least years from now when people own it they can watch it over and over and actually love it. LIONSGATE is going to make a killing with EX2 if it is rated R. The U.S. alone will see the film gross 150 million and over 400 MILLION DOLLARS WORLDWIDE.

Would Quentin Tarantino make one of his movies R just to please the studios...NO! Would he sequelize PULP FICTION then say I'm gonna make it PG-13 so that I can get a more mass audience! NOOOOOOO!

Does anyone want to see that epic AIRPORT scene in EX2 with Sly, Willis and Arnold taking on hundreds of bad guys and wiping them out...yet you only get to see little blood or cut-away shots??? HECK NO!!!!!!! I want to see Arnold use that shotgun that was seen in the trailer and blow a hole into someones s

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Kevin
01/30/2012 7:36am

You will basically be called Liars if you say this movie is a throwback to the action movies of the 80s and 90s, come on Stallone you could have turned Barney Ross into the next big action movie icon.

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Stephen Williams
01/30/2012 8:02am

This whole thing is crap! Why even make a sequel if it sells out everything that the first movie was? Fans don't just want to see all these guys in one movie together. They want to see them on screen together causing MAJOR DAMAGE! Who cares otherwise? If it's going to be a tame PG-13, and the goal is just to get them on screen together, just get them all on SNL or The Tonight Show at the same time. Bring us an R or nothing!

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Prakash Mukherjee
01/30/2012 8:14am

We just thinking, We need about rated-R as very hardly actions, gores mixed in EX2 I love ''R'', because group villain of the leader Van Damme and others challenge villains versus Sly, Arnie, Lundgren, but Lundgren was played versus Van Damme in Universal Soldier, now again he is versus JCVD! I am great happy! Please finally, EX2 will certain be huge actions than EX1. It should be ''R as 18+'', please don't keep in "PG-13 as 15", We hate the PG-13. Hope EX2 will be rating-''R', but should be better better money than worldwide :):):):) Please sure go the rated-R :() :() !!!!!!!!!

Thanks to SLY, WEST!!!

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Simon
01/30/2012 1:20pm

um... R rating please!!!!

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Simon
01/30/2012 1:24pm

you are traitors!!! I ain't gonna watch it as a protest and I hope others will join me. Nowadays kids don't know who these actors are anyway, do you think a lot of them would care to see this movie?

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Briton
01/30/2012 1:27pm

I can't believe they are actually trying to make this movie PG-13, it's like a sick joke that no one is laughing at. The reason why the first Expendables got a big reaction by the fans was because it is a balls out violent film that doesn't hold anything back. Making the sequel to such a hardcore action movie PG-13 is nonsense. Haven't Stallone and Norris heard the expression "don't bite the hand that feeds you?"

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THIS IS THE OFFICIAL BOYCOTT VIDEO OF THE PG-13 EX2
01/30/2012 1:29pm



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD7ontlfT3Q


WE HAVE TO SPREAD IT EVERYWHERE GUYS, PLEASE PATRICK, WE NEED SOME HELP, THIS VIDEO CAN HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR MIND ON THE PG13 DISASTER !

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We are all behind you

EX2 Blogman & Jean

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mike
01/30/2012 4:22pm

thank you guys, then why not add the video to your last article, i think it would really help (the clean version of the video) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD7ontlfT3Q

Jean
01/30/2012 5:21pm

What you want is different websites to link to the video that takes the visitors directly onto YouTube. We should aim tat increasing the number of hits on YouTube to a noticeable level to get attention.

mike
01/30/2012 5:27pm

Hey Jean, what websites can i send this link to?
And you guys at EX2 blog have a looot of visitors, even movie news websites, after all this work you guys have done on the Blog, adding this video to your last article will help considerably...
The video basically explains why a PG13 cant work...
Thanks

Jean
01/30/2012 5:50pm

Mike, try these ones

Dolph Ultimate
The Action Fans
The Arnold Fans
Legend Of Chuck Norris
Global Arnold
StalloneZone
Vandammefanz
Vandammefan

Briton
01/30/2012 1:30pm

I am a huge fan of the first Expendables, I saw it in theaters and I bought it the first day it came out on blu-ray. If they truly stick to the PG-13 rating I won't even consider seeing it until an unrated cut comes out and even then I'll read the reviews before paying to rent that.

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Robert Chavez
01/30/2012 5:10pm

way to "Conan the Destroyer" the Expendables series. Totally lame. This will limit the appeal of the movie to many people. No violence and action, no movie ticket.

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Haukur Einarsson
01/30/2012 6:42pm

im not payin thats all im sayin

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Andrew
01/30/2012 7:19pm

Dear Lionsgate,

I write to ask you to change Expendables 2 to Restricted.
Please understand that for us, fans, it is one time only. It has never been before and it will not be the movie starring so many 80's actions stars. For us, fans, it is very important to see and to have the 21st century movie with best action stars that we can be proud of.....again in 21st century. Please consider people's request, take it seriously and act accordingly. I understand that you are concerned about money but I believe if it stays PG-13, we, true fans will not be going to see the movie. And many of us will just wait DVD or Blu ray release to be available for free download.

Thanks in advance for your consideration and time to read our comments to you.

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adam serafinas
01/30/2012 8:11pm

Life in general is rated R,everybody everywhere and anybody who would be seeing this movie has sweared or seen someone in their family swear,so that shouldnt be the problem for making it pg-13,blood and guts is more important than people think to a true real action movie,and especially if your trying a throwback 80s flick with,the best iconic ones were rated RRRRRR. You talked about wanting the greatest action movie EVER!, you know more than anyone it needs to be rated R. making it pg13 just shows u care more about sales than what the fans really want to see. Its a shame youve come to that.

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Ron
01/30/2012 8:27pm

Please make this movie a mature movie because this is a action movie for men and women and I don't want what could be an amazing movie to be limited by anything. I'm not saying that I want gratuitous swearing but I want real dialog and real characters not Disney heros. Thank you

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Brendaa
01/30/2012 8:51pm

No PG 13 PLEASEEE! Been waiting too long. Too many good old school actors.

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charles
01/30/2012 10:31pm

is this a joke? R please!!!!!!!!!

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qwerty
01/30/2012 11:07pm

R please !

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Sion Rispon
01/30/2012 11:46pm

It's PG13 because Chuck Norris said so!

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André Nascimento
01/31/2012 3:27am

The Expendables Movie 2, can not be rated PG-13 R, but this is a movie in which fans in many, many years and he has been waiting to be bombastic. Even more than the first, a film like this has to have blood explosions marked death like the other films in which all these actors have worked not help think Expendables two one life why not Transformers and Transformers 2 was a drawing and expendables a film expected for generations then please sly, Lionsgate, or anyone connected with the film does not spoil it for us fans want to see something in which we look forward to decades. R rating since many are already asking about the film

Although the time change and so think and talk a little pro chuck norris stop wanting to be the center of attention, all his films had blood and death and soon after he was now a forgotten old actor will want to ruin this great movie chuck norris is played

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Mere
01/31/2012 3:45am

Make my dream come true! This movie will be the best movie in universe! PLEASE R!!

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Lee
01/31/2012 6:42am

Dear Lionsgate
In a world of remakes/reimaginings/reboots we were all suprised to know that after so many years away from the genre that a film like THE EXPENDABLES managed to go straight to number 1 in a very crowded summer of 2010.
You managed to top a critically acclaimed film like SCOTT PILGRIM, you managed to make many fans dreams come true by uniting the action stars, it virtually topped the charts all over the world.
May I also remind you that THE EXPENDABLES was the first R rated film since for nearly 10 years to have stayed at number 1 (in a summer in fact) for 3 straight weeks beating SALT (PG13) SCOTT PILGRIM (PG13) THE A TEAM (PG13).
When it topped the box office a whole slew of action films were getting greenlit look at Sly's BULLET TO THE HEAD nuff said.
By the way you have to look at your SAW franchise I think you have taken what over $500 million not including merchandise for the 7 films and all rated R in which 6 of the 7 films went straight to the number 1 spot.
So please with all due respect it was excellent seeing the first one a R rated flick (15) in the U.K so please please keep the tradition dont detiriorate, improve and expand, Just coz THE DARK KNIGHT pushed the rating to the extreme doesnt mean you guys should to, you guys are the ballsiest studio out there, keep it up dont cave in, oh and I think your test screening for the first film when you showed them the 2 versions (PG-13 & R) Which version won?? thats right the R rated one.
:)

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RoBDoG
01/31/2012 9:06am

I'm caught in between this, everytime I see PG-13 I think of T3 AVP etc ugghhh but because I live in the UK we have different ratings 12A 15 18, you can pretty much get away with anything on a 15 rating over here so that would be cool, if it gets a 12A then well.... uh oh
I just hope this isnt going to be like The A-team (80's) where theres loads of shooting but you dont see anyone get shot

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Jack Bauer
01/31/2012 10:09am

Robdog it doesn't matter what the rating is in UK. The only rating that matters is what it is in USA. If it's PG-13 then it's PG-13. It doesn't matter if it's 12A or 15 in the UK it's not gonna get any harder. The rating of the movie is decided by American rating system. Die Hard 4 was probably the hardest PG-13 you can get.

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RoBDoG
01/31/2012 6:31pm

I understand where your coming from and my point wasnt clear at all, I just meant its a shame that U.S ratings arnt the same as ours, you need something in between PG-13 and R.
Just as an example The Mechanic rated R in US but UK is only 15 but still states 'Bloody violence and strong language' so they can show all the goodness but its not completly restriced to adults only which is what EX2 could do with

Kevin
01/31/2012 10:31am

As a huge fan of action movies, I hate to see The Expendables 2 become the biggest wasted opportunity of all time. You have assembled a "dream team" cast of action icons. Let these stars do what they do best! Let the fans get what they want!

Why have a Ferrari and only drive 35 miles per hour? Why spend $10,000 on a grand paino and only play "chop sticks?" A PG-13 rating will limit the creativity and possibilities of the Expendables 2. I don't desire excessive foul language, gore or gratuitious nudity but you have to let the story be the story.

Please let this movie be all that it can and should be. Do it for the fans.

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ElOnce
01/31/2012 12:52pm

A golden opportunity to make the greatest action film of all time is being thrown away here. The hopes and dreams of millions of movei goers have been crushed. This movie has to be rated R, why can't people make movies for the fans anymore? WE are the ones who pay to make your film money, is it too much to give us what we ask for?

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PATRIC
01/31/2012 1:19pm

HEY! Lionsgate .... not love, sex and profanity,,, just want to see great actors kicking ass like never before. R category please

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Pooch
01/31/2012 4:06pm

If this idiotic PG13 rating is maintained, Expendables 2 will become a self-parody of everything it could have been. With an R rating, this could have been the Greatest Movie Ever, but now it will go down in history as one of the stupidest decisions ever made.

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John Matrix
01/31/2012 9:36pm

Amen brother. Stallone, we know you don't need the money. What are you thinking?

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Patrick
01/31/2012 7:17pm

Just found out about this dilemma today. Now I'm feeling pretty disappointed. This is one of the few movies of 2012 I have been looking forward to. I vote for an R rating. if not then waiting for the unrated blu-ray sounds good to me. I want my first time watching this to be in all its glory.

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Trent Matrix
01/31/2012 10:48pm

Come Lionsgate. Is this Lionsgate or Pussycat gate? How can you do this to us. How can you insult the fanbase with this PG13 little girl rating? I hate it, and we the action fans will fight you until you change the movie back to where it belongs, in the R-rated section.

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Mike B
02/01/2012 4:37am

I feel very let down and feel as though Sly has gone back on his word.

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Aaron
02/01/2012 5:12am

Dear Lionsgate,

I believe this is a true middle finger to those who grew up watching these guys in action films. We want to see them how they are supposed to be seen...in R-Rated Movies!

These men are legends because of how they were in the good old action films and you are not letting them be the men who they are.

For example - I was watching a trailer for G.I.Joe 2 and it go near the end, and it shows a truck spinning out of control and then all of a sudden Bruce Willis pops up and starts shooting this huge gun! The who audience gave a sense of "this movie is gonna kick ass because Bruce is shooting and blowing stuff up!". When all an actor has to do is pull the triger of a gun and it makes the audience go 'WOAH!"....it says something.

Dont take away who these men are - they are the legends of action movies. Norris is SUPPOSED to kick a guy in the face. Schwarzenegger is SUPPOSED to shoot the biggest gun imaginable. Willis is SUPPOSED to have wise cracks and still kick ass. Stallone is SUPPOSED to shoot the body part of someone off. Van damme is SUPPOSED to use his karate.

If this is a PG-13 rating; instead of being possibly one of the most anticipated films of the year - it will be a joke...and you could probably kiss a lot of fans goodbye!

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adam
02/01/2012 6:31am

what will be the point of lining up all the greatest action stars of all time just to make it a pg 13, if they wanna watch something for kids, go watch toy story 3 or some shit like that, action stars keep it action!!

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Andrew
02/01/2012 8:12am

Another thing I forgot to add. I go to movie theaters very very rare, may be 2-3 times a year, and it has to be either very special movie or somebody invites me and pays for ticket. Those are only 2 reasons when I go to see a movie.
I remember when Expendables came out, it was the most special movie of 21st century for me. Not only I went to see it, but I also bought a ticket for my brother who would never ever go to see such movie.
What I am trying to say is this:
If the second part stays PG-13 - you will make soooo much less money for sure. Kids nowadays don't know old school action stars and don't care about them. All they care is cartoons and crap like Avatar. This is all they know. They don't know true action, true action stars and nothing about it. So kids won't go to see it and action fans won't go either, and it will be biggest collapse and disappointment of the year.

So.....think logically, and make your choice.

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Snake-Eyes
02/01/2012 9:44am

C'mon LIONSGATE... the whole point of THE EXPENDABLES was that it was meant to echo those super-violent, OTT and bad-language-filled Action Classics of the 1980's and early 1990's. Take a look at RAMBO 4; the reason that was such a successs and is loved by Action Movie fans the World over is because NO PUNCHES were pulled. You can still save this picture - give us fans what we want. We're sick of of all these watered-down, pansy-a$$ 'Superhero Franchise' flicks. THE EXPENDABLES should be for fans of the old-school action.

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Kill-PG-13
02/01/2012 10:36am

I am in my mid-50s and have been an action movie fan for decades. I have longed to see a return to such movies for a long time. I don't watch PG-13 movies. I want to see adult fare - a high level of action, guts, gore and nudity. That's why I was drawn back to the theaters when Sly came out with the last Rambo movie and the first Expendables. Great action and the kind of adrenaline pumping scenes that an R-rated movie can provide. Tell me what would have happened to that climactic scene in John Rambo if the movie had been rather PG-13. It would have been a joke. That is what I fear will happen to Exp-2.

There is a loyal core of fans who supported the first movie because we wanted to see an adult-level action movie, not the watered down garbage of men in tights fighting other men in tights that Hollywood has been passing off as action. That's why this change, whether prompted by an over-the-hill Chuck Norris, who shouldn't even be in the film, let alone dictate what should be in it, or by greedy Hollywood types who think they'll expand the viewing audience is a betrayal to us loyal fans. No matter what Mr Crews thinks, I certainly will not see it in the theaters. I will not waste my money on kiddie fare. I hope the movie bombs and that Sly realizes what a grave mistake he made by caving in to those stupid demands.

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Jon Robinson
03/01/2012 6:36pm

I absolutely would go see this movie in theaters if it was rated R but of it's not i'm not sure i'll even get it on Netflix because that would be a horrible abomination of all good action movies. Sylvester should know at this point that people who watch his great movies don't want him to pull any punches.

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Sid
02/01/2012 3:34pm

It should be R. These are all Badass, Gun toting, "I don't give a damn" type actors. you need to have some language and some mature violence if you want these guys to be in a movie together. but then again i do want to see chuck norris in this movie. But if it risks the movie becoming pg-13 then its ok if Norris is not in it

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AlexMK
02/03/2012 4:56am

wtf is chuck doing in a movies like this If this was my movie i would have told chuck to shave himself first and that we would talk later about him being in it Imagine Arnie saying ararrrrar rarraar and Sly going hu hu arr awwaarrr and kicking someones ass and imagine now both of them talking it over with the same bad guys over a hot tea party Which 1 would u prefer ..i bet this will be remembered as 1 of the biggest flops/fails in their lives Boycott this 1 please

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diego
02/01/2012 6:44pm

PLEEEAAAAAAAAAASEEEEE DONT DO IT IT MUST BE R AAR AR ARR AARRRRRRRR

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Chris
02/01/2012 10:07pm

To Sylvester Stallone and Whomever It May Concern

I, along with many of my friends, am very disappointed by the news that Expendables 2 will be PG-13. This is not merely a reactionary response that any PG-13 action film will be bad, nor does it mean that a PG-13 version of this film inherently sucks, as I have not seen the finished product and cannot comment upon that. However, it gives many people, myself included, great pause that this Expendable tale is not a continuing adventure in the lives of the characters Sly created, but instead motivated by a "cash grab" than the story. I feel strongly that this is the wrong decision from both a creative standpoint, as well as a financial one.

Part of this goes back what Bruce Willis did when promoting Die Hard 4. He claimed that, although a PG-13 film, it would feel like the first Die Hard and that it could still be gritty and have the same tone. This was not true: John McClane's character was inhibited by the rating, and the foul-mouthed dialogue from the first three films was lacking. While it worked as a film, it was not Die Hard in either tone or, most importantly, character: Die Hard 4's John McClane did not feel like an older version of the John McClane we had seen in three other films. As a matter of fact, I don't even use the f-word personally, and I was extremely disappointed for it to have been cut out of Die Hard 4, because John McClane seemed to have mellowed to such a degree that I no longer felt as invested in the character. I will compare it to early CG effects: your eye immediately detected the "fakery" and knew that something wasn't right. Similarly, the character wasn't right, and you could feel the places where the character's dialogue was trapped by what it was and was not allowed to say.

You see, Mr. Stallone, as much as I really enjoy your films for your acting, and superb directing, I actually respect you more for your writing talents. Rocky Balboa, Rambo, and the original Rocky are excellent not just for the acting and film, but for the characters that the audience was invested in. You take the time to plot out the story arc, as well as dialogue that differentiates each character from one another, and focuses on their motivations.

For instance, in each of the Rambo films, the character of John Rambo never starts the fight, although he is sure to finish it! From First Blood where he is pushed by the Sheriff, First Blood Part 2 where he has to do recon to get out of jail, Rambo 3 where he fights to rescue Trautman, or Rambo where he fights to rescue the missionaries, Rambo never seeks out a fight. This is why you never wrote a story for Rambo to, say, travel to North Korea to kill as many people as possible before breakfast. Why? Because that would not be true to the character, the audience would feel that it was bogus, and just an easy way to propel the plot forward to the next set piece.

According to Mr Norris, "In Expendables 2, there was a lot of vulgar dialogue in the screenplay. . . I said I won’t be a part of that if the hardcore language is not erased. Producers accepted my conditions and the movie will be classified in the category of PG-13." While you did not return to direct this installment, we do know that you wrote the screenplay. And based on your previous responses in Q&As on AICN, I understand your commitment to the characters in the film, which was present before the screenplay was edited. My fear, and the fear of many who frequent this site, is not that a movie will be lousy if it is not rated R, but that the tone and character will be compromised. It's not about the foul language, or even the gore or violence, it's about the story and the tone of the film.

I am not the type of person who will boycott a film sight-unseen, but this feels like a betrayal of the character and tone of the film that was set by the first Expendables. Even though you are not directing, nor producing Expendables 2, Expendables (1) was your inception and your "baby." You still have some pull. Doubtless some of the decision is financially motivated to allow 13 year olds to see the movie. But is it worth compromising the adult film that most of your adult fans want to see for the wishes of fans born between 1995 and 1999?

Moreover, kids aged 13-17 do have the opportunity to still see this film if it were rated R: they can see it with their parent or guardian. Some of my best "bonding" moments were watching R-rated films with my father. These days the films are rated PG-13 so the kinds and fathers can do things separately. . .

From a financial perspective, I understand the urge to market to as wide of an audience as possible. However, Expendables 2 is a sequel. Sequels are designed to recapture what an audience enjoyed about the first film. For myself, and many other loyal viewers who returned for multiple viewing of the first Expendables, this was for the characters and hard action that was present. And make no mis

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Chris
02/02/2012 10:13pm

My response was cropped. I repeat the cropped paragraph below:

From a financial perspective, I understand the urge to market to as wide of an audience as possible. However, Expendables 2 is a sequel. Sequels are designed to recapture what an audience enjoyed about the first film. For myself, and many other loyal viewers who returned for multiple viewing of the first Expendables, this was for the characters and hard action that was present. And make no mistake: myself and my friends are the target audience for this film. The 13-17 year old age bracket does not know who many of these actors are, and will not be lured into the seats by their mere presence. In fact, how many of them are aware of the first expendables and are dying to see the sequel? If they are, they saw the first with a parent or guardian. If not, who wants to see the sequel without seeing the first film? It would be as if you decided your first "Star Wars" film would be "The Empire Strikes Back," having never seen the original "Star Wars." The reason "Empire" worked so well was we were invested in the characters, and "Empire" continued their story and upped the ante in story, tone, and the stakes (as evidenced by the violence).

Mr Stallone asks us to trust him, that the film will deliver and that action fans such as myself will not go hungry. I'm willing to give it a chance, but I am wary that I will be disappointed because the rating will have shackled the tone and characters from achieving the film it could--and should--have been. PG-13 action means that there cannot be any squibs or blood associated with people getting shot, and means that the action, not just the language, will be toned down for Expendables 2. This means that myself, and many of my friends, while we will not boycott the film as many outraged fanboys react in protest, we will not be going back for repeat viewings, which while not affecting the short-term opening weekend stats, will certainly affect the box office gross (personally, I saw the first Expendables six times in theaters). Are you willing to compromise on the rating for a short-term gain, but a long-term loss, and alienate the core audience that supported the first film? A PG-13 rating is a poor decision in which everyone loses: the fans as well as the studio.

Respectfully,

Chris

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AlexMK
02/03/2012 4:42am

just imagine the length of the movie 1:20 (PG-13) and 2:30 (Rrrr) This movie had so much potential but now like everything else it will FAIL . Boycott this kinder garden crap , violence is art ..let me show u come to me producers I will do u all in ways u can not imagine even if you took hallucinating drugs

LUX
02/02/2012 3:02am

i totally agree with all that is said, it must be R rated if it's for the fans and not for the kids this is our movie we watch those guys for the past 30 years we grow up on them..... FRAK!!!

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Sam
02/02/2012 5:33am

Please listen to all of these guys Mr. Stallone. I don't understand why you would turn your back on your fans. We helped make your first movie sell so many tickets. The reason we are upset is because we liked part 1 so much. Make it R, so the series can make more movies.

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Jack Bauer
02/02/2012 6:28am

Quote from Sly Stallone EX1 interview

"I always believe the violence is justifiable," he said. "The one thing in my films ... I only kill people that need to be killed. And then there are people who need to be killed in an even worse way than those who simply need to be killed – the men who do terrible things to women. "Let me put it this way," he told a press conference in London. "The ones that deserve it get it and they get it good and the ones that go after women really get it, you know what I mean? Really get it. People say: 'Oh, isn't that overkill?' and I say 'I'm not going to have a man having his way with a woman and wrecking her life and just shoot him with a bullet - it's too civilised. He's going to feel real pain'." "I didn't want something that was a little too complex, a little too controversial, a little too politically correct, I wanted old school."
The phrase old school was used a lot today and Statham said it had been fun to make a movie of "real men doing real action"

Stick to your words guys... stick to your words

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AlexMK
02/03/2012 4:33am

they went senile i guess

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Sam
02/02/2012 7:05am

Nice one Jack. I already miss movies like Expendables and hoping that EX2 would be another good one. It looks Mr. Stallone didn't follow his words and didn't stay true. Not a man. :(

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Lucas
02/02/2012 10:42am

OK, what the hell are the makers of the movie thinking ??

We are fans of 80's action movies, that's why we loved EX1.

We're not teens, we are men who want to have a blast with a good, bloody action throwback to the classics, not some PG stuff for kids. Movies like A-Team did that and SUCKED!!!!

I want Rambo and Terminator, not Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!!!!!

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Kellerman
02/03/2012 4:00am

A real disgrace.. how on earth can this happen? This can never be forgiven if it doesn't deliver. We have waited for this too long now. Adult's, NOT TEENS, make this movie either a success or a flop. If Adult's don't like what they see and the action is not there.. I'm afraid it will fail. That's a guarantee. Unbelievable! UNFREAKINGBELIEVABLE!.. that you are even considering something like this. At least now we know what we, the fans, adults, THE ONLY FAN BASE YOU GUYS HAVE! mean to you... you don't care about us, only thing you care about is money. I understand that it's a business decision but it's a really dumb business decision to target an audience that doesn't f****** exist! The only reason kids went to see the first movie because of the violence... ask them why they wanted to see it... go ahead and ask them! You really think will go see old guys playing cops and robbers if there is no adult material in it what they want to see in the first place. No.. they will not go. Please reconsider what you are about to do! Don't turn your back to a generation of fans... your fans!

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SerbianHero
02/03/2012 8:41am

RatedR of GTFO! Why softening the sequel when the first one was so great as an R-rated?! It is just ludicrous. The fans have made up their minds and know what they want, and they want blood, gore, brutality at it's best... the whole package. Pure unrestrained action is what will bring us storming to the theaters. What good is the epic crew, if they will be hindered by PG-13? So, just give us that freakishly awesome hardcore piece of action art we have been waiting and hoping for!
Greetings from fans all over Serbia!

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Andrew
02/03/2012 11:06am

And one more...
For the sake of a stuntman who died on the set of Expendables 2.....for at least his sake make it R. If I was a stuntman, I would have never wanted to die for PG-13 movie.

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Prakash
02/04/2012 7:07am

Fucking asshole Chuck Norris!!!! Fucking asshole EX2 ! Fucking asshole PG-13!!!!

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/04/2012 7:19am

Dear Lionsgate and Millenium.
Very fucking asshole to Chuck Norris
because he said to confirmed about rating PG-13!
We don't watch to EX2, if EX2 will be sure rating R,
we can watch it early, we love "R'' very much!!!!!!!!
Please you go to say to Director Mr.West and Writer
Mr.Stallone about sure at rated ''R'' in EX2.
But you must not hear from Chuck Norris.
We just thanks to Mr.Stallone because he was directed in EX1,
it was rated ''R''. We have thinking, the challenge men are Sly,
Arnie, Willis, Statham, Crew, Van Damme, Lundgren, Li, Norris and
others etc, very action heroes in EX2, it is rules "R''.
Why they in PG-13????????????!!!!
We are very very angry for Chuck Norris,
but not guilt to Stallone and West.

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/04/2012 7:20am

Please very very sure sure sure sure sure at RRRRRRRR!!!!!!
Must be win "R''! Must be defeat PG-13!!

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/04/2012 7:24am

We most need the rated "R''! Thanks to we saw Sly & JCVD in Action photos as makeup blood on their face, they look fear!!! Please go sure at "R". We god ''R''!!!!!!!

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/04/2012 7:29am

We've seen Arnie, Sly, JCVD, Dolph and Willis, their many many movies as these were in ''R'', never PG-13!! But why is suddenly now EX2 in PG-13? Now, we have very ANGRY!!!!!!!!

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/04/2012 7:33am

We are very fans of R ever!!!! EX2 is all muscle men and challenge than other!!! It look very awesome!!! It must in R. We very hate PG-13!!! We most respectfully to EX2!!! Hope EX2 should be rated "R"! Thanks......

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Derlanger
02/04/2012 10:32am

Kickboxer, Universal Soldier, Hard Target, Terminator, Total Recall, Rambo, Judge Dredd, Die Hard...

I'm a French fan and I grew up with these movies, like all my friends. This is because of their nature that Stallone or Schwarzenegger became legends for us and I was madly excited when I knew I could see those guys kick asses together in the Expendables. I did find everything I loved back then, this movie was clearly made with the heart and we were all greatly satisfied, enjoyed it much and supported it the best we could.

I was all the more excited when my childhood hero M. Van Damme was announced for the sequel, with Willis and Schwarzenegger joining the mission ! Man, when you see that cast...

Like many of us, I was telling my friends about the movie, reading the news on Expendables Premiere or IMDB regularly, promoting it on my Facebook and Twitter pages sharing trailers and pictures... Everyone was impatiently waiting for the MOST LEGENDARY cast ensemble united for the MOST BADASS movie EVER. This was supposed to make History, and not in a gentle way.

That's what we thought and were hoping for. Yet suddenly, we're told that this is going to be rated PG-13. Family-friendly. Now, this is making us very sad.

The first one did well because it was done so it could satisfy the target audience, us, males over 18, action lovers. We KNOW what we WANT and it's indeed incredible action with graphic violence and adult content from the guys who do it best on this planet. The most absurd in this decision is that teenagers may not even know about the guys except Willis, Statham and those Chuck Norris facts. Now, this man proved he's nothing but a joke. He's been doing shit for decades and had finally a chance to shine there but with this kind of sissy mind, he obviously doesn't belong to such project.

Rating this movie PG-13 is highly disrespectful for the people who supported the first one. Everyone knows it had flaws and was not an obvious win from the start. It still did well thanks to us, the FANS. That's why regarding business, it does appear to me like an extremely wrong idea when saying "Oh fuck the fans! let's make a charming movie with no blood and no negative language". Not sure this is how you'll get the bucks.

People at Lionsgate, why don't you wake up and see, you have fucking SLY, ARNIE & JCVD IN ONE SINGLE MOVIE! Don't waste the opportunity and just send them to war!

Well, if EX2 is really boasting this horrible PG-13 in August, I won't be surprised seeing Robert Pattinson, Orlando Bloom or Daniel Radcliffe in the next episode. Why not make it distributed by Disney and sponsored by the Vatican while you're at it ?

I hope that you, Lionsgate sellout assholes, will hear our voice because you're now ruining everything.

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Derlanger
02/04/2012 10:39am

Man, Van Damme as the main vilain against Rambo and Terminator and you go PG-13 ?
This is just totally insane...

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Olay
02/04/2012 2:44pm

Sure, PG13 CAN work. Just look at Taken - awesome movie.

THIS however is supposed to be a violent movie with blood, gore and r-rated one-liners. That's what the old school action movies were all about. This SHOULD be like a modern day Commando, Die Hard or Terminator 2. That is the whole premise/concept of this thing.

Making a movie about violence and one-liners PG13 automatically removes the whole point of the movie.

I, for one, will not pay to see this disaster.

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Dino
02/04/2012 8:03pm

Honestly, even If Lionsgate comes around and changes the rating of TE2...it won't be enough to save the film now. The "kid-friendly" approach has caused an uproar the likes of which I've never seen before or since, and we're still 6 months away from release. Lionsgate, Chuck, Crews and co. just killed every bit of momentum they had with their announcements.

I understand, though. Really, I do. Movies rated PG-13 usually make more money than R-Rated ones, right? Apparently, you think with your pockets, and I don't blame you.

On the other hand, you can't blame me for thinking with my pocket: I'll probably rent TE2 on Blu-Ray for 2 Euros, and that's If my curiosity gets the better of me...you see, sometimes, I go out of my way to watch misguided films. It's fun to laugh at how bad they turned out, especially when they could have been so much more.

Smart money says I'll download it instead, to save myself the effort of walking to the store.

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Prakash Mukherjee
02/05/2012 1:57am

No going ti be PG-13! Please sure going to be R. I heard by Bruce talked Sly about EX2 must be R. Fuck Norris.

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MikkoT
02/06/2012 1:11am

None of my friends are gonna see this movie. We all loved the first film. I saw it at the cinema 5 times with my friends.

This is just a HUGE dissapointment. Many of our childhood idols packed in a big budget actionflic, and then some genius decides to turn it in to a kids film. What the fuck!?

I can't imagine Chuck Norris alone having that much power over the decision? Who's to blame? Greedy producers?

This is just sad. Movie may be entertaining even as PG-13 but it ain't gonna have no balls. It ain't gonna be EPIC. At the end it's gonna be same shit as A-Team -the movie. Entertaining to watch once, but i ain't gonna drag bunch of my friends to see it multiple times and buy all the bluray-versions of the film. And after a while, none's gonna remember this one..

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Son of DeNiro
02/07/2012 12:34am

Contact Millennium films and express your feelings below.....Tell them no to PG and make it R.

Global Headquarters and Main Contact Information
6423 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90048
+1 310 388-6900 p
+1 310 388-6901 f
info@millenniumfilms.com

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Vincent Tolr
02/07/2012 10:33am

The Expendables 2 being pg-13 makes as much sense as Bambi being rated R.

Loved the first. My favorite movie of that year. Saw it 6 times in the theater. EX 2 PG 13 = one view in theater. Not buying it on DVD. Pushing limits of the rating? I don't think so by constricting action genre staples and alienating the fan base. This submission to studio execs makes me wanna vomit (on screen vomit will be censored PG13). I know this is supposed to be "civilized" and I'm sorry that it's not. People are crazy about this news because the news is crazy! PG-13 is selling out. It is retirement. I deliberately didn't see DIE HARD 4 because of the rating. Now EX2 will be a one view.

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mohsen
02/08/2012 3:07am

the best of fighter in the world is jean claude van damme.

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mohsen ahsani
02/08/2012 3:09am

the best of fighter in the world is jean claude vandamme.

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Jesus
02/16/2012 10:26am

The first movie reminded me of the great 80s action movies filled with blood gore strong language they were sometimes cheessy but they were so fun to watch. Im 18 and I grew up watching terminator 2 judgment day total recall rambo ect... They dont make movies like that any more.this generation of music is already stupid and ruined but why do you have to ruin movies now kids are spoiled now a days if they really wanna watch it there parents will take them @lionsgate the last movie you did "The devils double" was amazing great story and brutal dont sell out like the rest of the world I wanna be able to show my kid of how great movies used to be

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ian
02/20/2012 1:53am

i was upset when they first announced chuck norris was going to be in this movie, the dude is a joke and made a bunch of garbage movies, but i was a fan of the first expendables and the rest of the cast for this is pretty stellar, so i was willing to let it slide. but pg13? it pains me to say this, but i think i'm gonna have to pass

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Mike
02/24/2012 10:45am

It's really quite simple, no R rating, no $$$ from me. I am certain there are countless who feel this way also

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Jon Robinson
03/01/2012 6:17pm

Dear god make this movie rated R or not at all I've seen enough pg-13 bullshit, take a stand and make a good movie not another run of the mill pg-13 cop-out picture without a heart that is purely for monetary gain

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Rob
03/03/2012 12:33am

I will not see this movie if it's rated PG-13. There is no use for an action movie, with deaths, with blood, with gore if it's all censored. If there is someone worried about I don't know... maybe the message? IT'S AN ACTION FILM!!! IT'S ABOUT KILLING OR DYING!? It doesn't even make sense!!!! Violence should be toned down and no explicit language so kids can get entertained? This idea is actually BEEP up! If there is violence then why present it as something nice? IT SHOULD BE ROUGH! IT SHOULD BE RIGHT! IT MUST BE R!

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pp
03/03/2012 10:08pm

Hey tell me when we will see the first theatarical trailer of expendables2
???????????????????

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Court
03/04/2012 10:28am

I want to be clear with what mean here. If you make a movie and it's rated r and then decide to make more sqeuels. Then you need to keep the content the same it never works to make three movies r and one pg13. Like die hard4.0 man thank god they made a unrated cut because the water down version sucked. I'm not going to watch or support this sqeuel. I feel sorry for sly he should have stop this from happening

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CountryBoy
03/09/2012 11:16am

Why even cater to these 13 year olds? They was not even alive when 3/4 of the cast was box office hits. Stallone..........You dropped the ball big time here. What a fucking joke. Put the gore back in asap

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banditsluvr
03/10/2012 12:15pm

ok, guys, the movie is already done, so even if they changed it to R, the content wouldn't be any different than it is now, so what would be the point of changing it now? it would just bring less people in because its less accessible than a PG-13 movie...just saying...

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banditsluvr
03/10/2012 12:17pm

i totally agree it should have been rated R though, but if people are REAL fans, they'll go see it anyway...and that's what they're relying on...

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Jake Corleone
03/17/2012 10:36am

Wrong, a true fan doesn't blindly worship and follow EVERYTHING Sly or anyone else does. Learn to think for yourself.

Marcus E Graham
03/15/2012 10:15am

this movie should be good and the chemistry between them should be teriffic

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Gareth Fletcher
03/15/2012 10:31am

This is a 80's, 90's throw back of old actions star's in one big bloody shoot out.. do it for the fans!

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jet li
03/16/2012 4:12am

i wont watch this movie if it is pg 13. f#*k you lionsgate.i might watch it if i hear that jet li has great action sequences in it. Otherwise no thanks.f*#k you norris

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Jake Corleone
03/17/2012 10:34am

It makes no sense to make EX2 PG-13... why?

For one, the first one, despite being rated R, did very well in the box office and exceeded most fans expectations.

Secondly, you cannot make a "true" action movie with the likes of Arnold, Sly, Bruce Willis, JCVD, Dolph Lundgren and Chuck Norris and make it PG-13.. it does not work that way. If you want to tone the language down, then be my guest but blood and violence is what DEFINED all the above listed actors careers (Well, maybe not Willis ENTIRELY)

Toning down a sequel is never a good idea and you're only hurting yourselfs and your long time fans.

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Prakash Mukherjee
03/21/2012 7:44am

Dear Stallone, Congratulations for EX2 has been rated "R". We are happy too. We want to see it early!!!! We just love "R". Hope he is being very ACTIONS.... Thanks!

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George
03/30/2012 8:21pm

We want EX2 full trailer......................Where is the trailer?????????????????

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Ken
04/11/2012 1:28pm

Suck cock you faggot piece of shit bitches. Fuck rated R, fuck PG13, fuck Sly in his Rambo ass and Schwarzenegger in his Terminator ass and Chuck Norris in his fucking Walker texas ranger big fat ass. Pieces of fucking shit.

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05/01/2012 11:32pm

This just performs whether it's R-rated. The very first transfer ended up being to a fantastic component successful As it has been R-rated

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