Why 50 Cent Is the Perfect Choice for ‘The Expendables 4’
Since releasing his debut project Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003, 50 Cent has sold more than 25 million albums, authored over 10 books, and launched multiple businesses. These days, he’s known for his work in the entertainment world as an executive producer for Power, For Life, the upcoming Black Mafia Family, and a host of films.
Along with having producer credits in his back pocket, 50 Cent’s also built up his acting resume and recently joined The Expendables 4 cast. For those following his on-screen career, this should come as no surprise, as he’s done his share of action films and crime thrillers. As a refresher, here’s a look which projects make him an ideal choice for the latest Expendables flick.
50 Cent has already worked with Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is the face of The Expendables franchise, but he and Fif have an established relationship. Take things back to 2013 for a moment, and fans will note that 50 Cent played Hush in Escape Plan with Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. His character was a hacker and Stallone’s character’s friend.
He later reprised the role in Escape Plan 2: Hades with Stallone, Dave Bautista, and Jaime King, and again in Escape Plan: The Extractors. Back in 2019, Stallone famously roasted the second movie in the franchise on Instagram, and called it the “most horribly produced” film he’d ever been in.
The comments attracted 50 Cent’s attention and he wanted to know why Rocky said that. However, there’s obviously no bad blood, as they’re about to do Expendables together.
50 Cent has other action films under his belt
50 Cent’s penchant for action and thrillers began in the early 2000s, and he’s worked with some of the greats. He played Spider in Righteous Kill alongside Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, and he had a role in 2012’s Fire with Fire with Bruce Willis, a fellow Expendables actor.
He and Willis previously teamed up for 2010’s Setup with Ryan Phillipe, and Fif’s company also produced Willis’ film, Catch .44. Though Willis supposedly left The Expendables 3 over a money dispute, there’s a camaraderie among those who work in the action genre.
‘Den of Thieves’ had Fif do some of his own stunts
Heist film Den of Thieves brought together Gerard Butler, 50 Cent, O’Shea Jackson Jr., and Pablo Schreiber. As part of the robbers’ crew, Fif’s character was an ex-Marine used to strategizing and working in the field. But 50 Cent himself went through a process to prep for the role and learn how to do stunts.
During an interview with Film Is Now Movie Bloopers & Extras, he explained their training regimen. “We spent time doing military training two weeks ahead of time. And it really helped because of the mannerisms and how you move with the pistol at different points, and how to run all through the woods,” he said. Fif explained that the environment was totally different than moving in the streets.
Given that The Expendables takes a ragtag team of professional mercenaries on rescue missions around the world, 50 Cent would fit right in with a league of highly-trained fighters. Whether he’s cast as a villain or hero, he’s proven he can hold his own with OG action stars.
