Eclectic and Hollywood Ventures Unveil Expendabelles Spinoff at Cannes

Eclectic Pictures and Hollywood Ventures Group have revived a long-in-development all-female offshoot of The Expendables, unveiling Expendabelles at the Cannes Film Festival and describing it as a female-driven expansion of the action franchise. The project, tentatively titled Expendabelles, is set to arrive as an origin story in the late 1990s, when its elite female operatives face “Y2K-era tension and geopolitical uncertainty,” according to the companies’ description of the film.

The announcement comes as the franchise seeks momentum after a downturn. The Expendables series launched in 2010 and later produced three sequels, before returning in 2023 with Expend4bles, which was met with unfavorable reviews and performed worse than earlier installments. With the latest revival, the producers say they are aiming to expand The Expendables mythology while telling a story that stands on its own.

In connection with the Cannes presentation, Eclectic and Hollywood Ventures said they are currently in discussions with distribution partners, financiers and creative talent. The companies did not announce a release date or name a full creative team or cast, but they indicated the film is in...