The Expendables 2 (2012)

The ultimate action ensemble returns — bigger, louder, and more explosive than ever before.

The Expendables 2 - Movie Information

  • Original Title: The Expendables 2
  • Release Year: 2012
  • Directed by: Simon West
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller
  • Age Rating (US): R
  • Runtime: 1h 43m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 8, 2012 (Spain - 16), August 17, 2012 (United States - R), August 17, 2012 (Canada - 18A), August 16, 2012 (United Kingdom - 15), August 30, 2012 (Germany - 18), August 22, 2012 (France - 12), August 30, 2012 (New Zealand - R16), August 30, 2012 (Australia - MA15+), August 31, 2012 (Brazil - 16), August 17, 2012 (Italy - T), September 6, 2012 (South Korea - 15)
  • Alternative Titles: The Expendables 2 (US), Os Mercenários 2 (BR), 轟天猛將2 (TW), Cəhənnəm Mələkləri 2 (AZ), The Expendables - A feláldozhatók 2. (HU), Los Mercenarios: 2 (ES), Неудержимые 2 (RU), The Expendables 2 - Stahlharte Söldner (CH)
  • Production Companies: Millennium Media, Lionsgate, Nu Boyana Film Studios, Nu Image Entertainment
  • Production Countries: United States of America, Bulgaria, Germany, China

The Expendables 2 - Plot

Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

The Expendables 2 - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the action legends assemble once more:

Back for War.

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The Expendables 2 - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Simon West

Main Cast

  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Jason Statham
  • Jet Li
  • Dolph Lundgren
  • Chuck Norris
  • Jean-Claude Van Damme
  • Bruce Willis
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Terry Crews
  • Randy Couture

Writers

  • Richard Wenk
  • David Agosto
  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Ken Kaufman

Producers

  • Les Weldon
  • Avi Lerner
  • John Thompson
  • Danny Lerner
  • Kevin King Templeton

The Expendables 2 - FAQs

Who plays the villain in The Expendables 2?

Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Jean Vilain, the main antagonist in The Expendables 2. It was a rare villainous turn for Van Damme, who had previously been known for hero roles, and his menacing performance became one of the film's most talked-about highlights.

Where can you stream The Expendables 2?

You can stream The Expendables 2 on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand and Plex offer it as a rental too.

What is The Expendables 2 about?

Barney Ross and his crew are hired by Mr. Church for what looks like a routine mission, but when one of their own is killed, the team launches a brutal revenge operation. The film is a love letter to 1980s action cinema, packed with iconic stars, explosive set pieces, and self-aware humor.

Does Chuck Norris have a cameo in The Expendables 2?

Yes, Chuck Norris appears as the lone-wolf mercenary Booker, and his entrance is one of the film's most crowd-pleasing moments. He even delivers a Chuck Norris joke about himself, leaning fully into his legendary internet meme status. It's a brief but memorable role.

Who are the main actors in The Expendables 2?

The cast is a who's who of action legends: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture. Liam Hemsworth also appears in a notable supporting role.

How long is The Expendables 2?

The Expendables 2 runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes (103 minutes). It's a tight, fast-paced runtime that keeps the action moving without much downtime, which is exactly what fans of the franchise tend to appreciate about the sequel over the original.

What is the age rating for The Expendables 2?

The Expendables 2 is rated R in the United States for strong bloody violence throughout, some language, and brief sexuality. It carries similar ratings internationally — 15 in the UK, 18 in Germany, and MA15+ in Australia — so it's strictly for mature audiences.

How did The Expendables 2 perform at the box office?

The Expendables 2 was a solid commercial success, earning around $315 million worldwide against a $100 million production budget. It outperformed expectations and proved the franchise had genuine staying power, paving the way for a third installment released in 2014.

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