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The Expendables premiere

(From L) British actor Jason Statham, US actor Sylvester Stallone and Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren pose during a photocall prior to the premiere of his latest film The Expendables on August 6, 2010 in Berlin. (Photo: AFP)

  • (From L) British actor Jason Statham, US actor Sylvester Stallone and Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren pose during a photocall prior to the premiere of his latest film The Expendables on August 6, 2010 in Berlin. (Photo: AFP)
  • The film has been written and directed by Stallone, who is also playing the lead in this comic con.

    (LtoR) Dolph Lundgren, Stallone and Jason Statham pose during a the photocall in Paris.
  • Lundgren, who sent Stallone into intensive care when they made "Rocky IV" together, said he was thrilled to work with the filmmaker again and be part of such a big, tough cast.

    Seen here Dolph Lundgren at a photocall
  • The storyline revolves around a group of mercenaries trying to oust a dictator from a fictitious Latin American country.

    Stallone with Statham.
  • Stallone said he had planned to retire after concluding his "Rocky" franchise with 2006's "Rocky Balboa."
  • But after the success of that film, and Rambo, which followed, he said he "got greedy again" and wrote The Expendables.
  • The Expendables has the best of the cast in movie history.
  • The movie, which opens on 19 August, features the standard array of guns, explosions and interesting new ways of killing people.
  • There are some "hilarious" jokes about Jet Li's height.
  • In the movie, Stallone leads a gang of ageing motorbike-riding mercenaries employed on a deadly mission to overthrow an evil dictator.

    Seen in this pic Statham.
  • The Expendables is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator.
  • Once the mission begins, the men realise things aren't quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal.

    Seen in this pic Jason Statham at the film's premiere in Rosny-Sous-Bois, Paris's suburb.
  • With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger the men struggle with an even tougher challenge, one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers.

    Seen here Jason Statham shakes hands with fans as he arrives for the premiere in Rosny-Sous-Bois, Paris's suburb.
  • Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is a man with nothing to lose. Fearless and void of emotion, he is the Leader, the Sage and the Strategist of this tight-knit band of men who live on the fringe.

    Seen here Stallone at his film's premiere in Rosny-Sous-Bois, Paris's suburb.
  • His only attachment is to his pickup truck, his seaplane and his team of loyal modern-day warriors. His is a true cynic who describes what he does as "removing those hard to get at stains".

    In this pic Stallone meeting with fans at the film's premiere in Rosny-Sous-Bois, Paris's suburb.
  • The team behind him is made up of Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), former SAS and a savant with anything that has a blade; Yin Yang (Jet Li), a master at close-quarter combat; Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), who has known Barney for ten years and is a long-barrel weapons specialist; Toll Road (Randy Couture), a skilled demolitions expert and considered the intellect of the group; and Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), a combat veteran and an expert in precision sniping who struggles with his own demons.

    Seen here actor Dolph Lundgren at the film's premiere in Rosny-Sous-Bois, Paris's suburb.
  • When the mysterious Church offers Barney a job no one else would take, Barney and his team embark on what appears to be a routine mission: overthrow General Gaza (David Zayas), the murderous dictator of the small island country of Vilena and end the years of death and destruction inflicted on its people.

    Seen here Stallone with his wife Jennifer Flavin (L) and daughters Sophia (2L), Scarlet and Sistine (R).
  • On a reconnaissance mission to Vilena, Barney and Christmas meet their contact Sandra (Giselle Itie), a local freedom-fighter with a dark secret.

    In this pic, Bruce Willis arrives with his daughter Rumer Willis (L) and his wife Emma Heming.
  • They also come to learn who their true enemy is: rogue ex-CIA operative James Monroe (Eric Roberts) and his henchman Paine (Steve Austin).
  • When things go terribly wrong, Barney and Christmas are forced to leave Sandra behind, essentially giving her a death sentence.
  • Haunted by this failure, Barney convinces the team to return to Vilena to rescue the hostage and finish the job he started. And to perhaps save a soul: his own.
  • Chinese actress Ling Bai arrives at the premiere of The Expendables on August 03, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actress Christa Campbell arrives for the premiere of The Expendables on August 3, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actor Mickey Rourke and Anastassija Makarenko arrive for the premiere of The Expendables on August 03, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actor Kellan Lutz arrives for the premiere of The Expendables on August 03, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Adult film star Ron Jeremy arrives with a guest for the premiere of The Expendables on August 03, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actress Ashley Bell arrives at the premiere of The Expendables on August 03, 2010 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actress Charisma Carpenter arrives at the film's premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
  • Actor Terry Crews arrives with his wife Rebecca Crews for the film's premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.