H'wood Geezers - Is 70 the New 40

'One step too slow' may be a euphemism for aging athletes but not for Hollywood  oldsters. Cosmetic surgery, physical trainers, personal chefs, and constant pampering makes for a long and rich acting career.

No movies could be more exemplary of this than The Expendables - a brain-child of Sly Stallone (67), this series of films depicts a group of supposed over-the-hill mercenaries (most with phychological baggage) that take on assignments with improbable odds for success. The Expendables 3 is now in production but ran into a road bump last week, as Bruce Willis (58) walked away from the film after Stallone (who co-produces and co-writes the films) refused his demand for $1 million/day for four days work.  Willis was offered $3 million for the four days but refused.  Stallone then tweeted that Willis "was greedy and lazy - a sure formula for career failure". Willis made no response. 

Willis, however, was quickly replaced by Harrison Ford (71) who will be joined by new Expendables Jackie Chan (59), Nicolas Cage (49)  and Wesley Snipes (51) for the August 2014 release of The Expendables 3. Mel Gibson (57) and Steven Seagel (61) are also rumored to have roles.  Returning will be Stallone along with Arnold Schwarzenegger (66), Jason Stratham (46), Jet Li (50) , and Mickey Rourke (61). The Expendables 3 has a production budget of $90 million, which is cheap given the fact that the first two Expendables films grossed over $600 million.

The addition of Harrison Ford was a bit of a surprise. An actor of with a long (over six decades) and very lucrative career, he was given the Actor of the Century Award by the National Assoc. of Theatre Owners - as his films grossed more revenue than any other actor. In addition to the Star Wars (it is rumored he will return as Han Solo in the upcoming Disney Star Wars film) and Indiana Jones sagas, think Blade Runner, Jack Ryan in the 'Patriot' films, The Fugitive, and on and on.


The Expendables, like Red 1 and 2 (currently in release), may hit a mental chord with baby-boomers - a "we can still cut it' sense of  bravado.  Nonetheless, in Hollywood, at least, 70 may be the new 40 (for male actors anyway).  Hey, this is Hollywood, where anything can be made to be believed.