Who will fill Jet Li's "small" shoes in EXPENDABLES 2?

James Marsh, Asian Editor

Bye Jet! Hello, who exactly?

With word finally out that Jet Li is definitely not returning for a second instalment of Sylvester Stallone's geriatric action series, rumours abound over who will be filling the team's smallest vacancy. Donnie Yen appears the obvious choice and producer Avi Lerner has been in touch with the IP MAN star (as we reported over the weekend), but due to scheduling conflicts and who knows what other complications it is apparently far from a done deal and the producers may need to look elsewhere.

So I throw the question out to you - with the remainder of the original cast returning, the likes of John Travolta, Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme all apparently on board - who should now represent Asia in EXPENDABLES 2? Tony Jaa? Wu Jing? Andy On? THE RAID's Iko Uwais? Dare we even suggest they consider a female member like Michelle Yeoh?

The floor is yours...

Around the Internet:

tinmann

They should consider Fan Sui Wong. He still got mad skills.

RSomchai

TONY JAA look if their going to take jet out they need to just make a whole new person ...A Thai guy with power house flying knees come on how would that not be cool... Yen is good but its nothing new, spread to the world Muay Thai not more kung fu ehhhhhhh

keoki.sing

I think Donnie Yen or Andy On. I would love to have Mark Dacascos but I don't think he would fit in. Between Donnie and Andy I'd go with Andy cause Donnie doesn't need it as much and I think if he were in it his part would be minimal and Donnie deserves more than minimal. Andy could possibly do minimal and steal his scenes and it might be a good break out for him in the US market.

Jackie wouldn't fit as he is more comedic in my book. I liked the mention of Ernie Reyes Jr. as I think he is a very talented martial artist that got relegated to a B movie actor cause of all the kid movies he has done (TMNT, Surf Ninja's) but I still think he is talented.

Ian

Very disappointing news although as has been said it wasnt exactly a great role for Jet so I cant really blame him. I was hoping however that the second film will be a superior sequel. I guess Jets not convinced.

My votes for Mark Dacascos, guy never got the mainstream breakthrough I think he deserved.

Improvisation

Assuming they can't get Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, or Tony Jaa...

Get: Mark Dacascos. Dan Chupong. Andy On. Jason Scott Lee. Hell, even Robin Shou or Collin Chou or Ernie Reyes Jr. would all make great asian MA badasses for this film.

BtoFu

Someone aughta find David Bradley and Cary Tagawa

RoPat

I nearly forgot about this legend --- SHO KOSUGI!! I thought he wouldn't do movies anymore, but he did do NInja Assassin.

Al Young

No offense to Sly but Jet's role was weak and deserve better material to work with. Even the fight with Dolph was a disappointing incoherent mess and waste of Jet's talents. I don't blame him for not wanting to come back.

Let Donnie have a substantial role and allow him to take full control of his action direction. I hate to see him take on the role where he have to hold back his awesomeness because JCVD can't keep up or lose to the likes of him.

If they can get Sonny Chiba, the baddest martial arts mofo, I'll weep manly tears of joy.

RoPat

If Donnie Yen can't commit, then they should approach Mark Dacascos, although Jackie Chan should be in the roster despite his comical image.

hiroaki.j

He's young, but if Donnie Yen isn't available they should consider Daniel Wu, he speaks perfect english as well.

James Marsh

Indeed he does speak English, but he's hardly an action hero.

Ard Vijn

Gordon Liu!

(And Bolo Yeung as a villain)

M@rc

Here's another vote for Sammo Hung, because he would totally fit. He's probably too busy though.

Cuttermaran

Chow Yun Fat.

Ivo Brito

I think that Sammo Hung is perfect for the new villlan or any other role.

But for a younger part Johnny Nguyen.

Swarez

I'm pretty sure that they left out Jackie because of the image he has in the states. He's the lovable goofball, not the bad ass face breaker most of the other guys are. But it would have been cool if they had cast him as a villain of sorts.

Swarez

Don "The Dragon" Wilson.

Done and Done!

2Bit

How's Benny "The Jet" doing these days?

Sean "The Butcher" Smithson

Can we get Anthony Wong in there as a bad guy please? Thanks Sly!

xino

man..I dunno a young martial arts.

The problem is the distributors would want to look for a martial arts actor who is popular.

the popular actors in US that people know are:

Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa.

I mean if it was down to me I know many martial arts actors.

unless they cast Nicolas Tse

2Bit

Sorry for the double post. Seriously though, why isn't Jackie Chan considered for this? I'd love to see Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung or Michelle Yeoh just as much, but wouldn't Jackie be a good fit? Isn't he good friends with a lot of the people involved?

James Marsh

I'm not sure of the exact reasons, and I remember reading somewhere that Chan was apparently disappointed not to have been approached for the first film. One can expect that egos, reputations, 30 years of history all play their part, as well as scheduling conflicts etc. It's easy for us to put a wish-list together and demand to see it on-screen, but there are all kinds of factors at play, many of which would never be discussed openly by those involved.

jkoob13

Honestly Jet looked old in the first Expendables. His scene with Dolph was not good. Donnie Yen is the man for this job. He still has the skills to impress and he's at an age where he will stand out with all these has beens:)

James Marsh

But getting someone much younger than all the others kind of defeats the purpose of the film's concept. I know Statham isn't of the same generation but still... it would be nice to see an 80s icon in the part if possible, though there really isn't anyone other than Jackie Chan in that case.

2Bit

SAMMO

2Bit

SAMMO

J Hurtado

Michele Yeoh would work, if we're looking at the same age group, as would Cynthia Rothrock. However, I assume we're looking for an Asian replacement, so I'll stick with Michelle. The brief flash of action she did in Babylon AD was one of the few highlights of that film for me. Made me a bit misty-eyed.

Nelson

Damn, Donnie Yen would be perfect for it; that would be my choice. I could see Tony Jaa fitting that role too though.

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