'Expendables 3' Filming Begins With Harrison Ford Instead of Bruce Willis
It appears that actors can be quite expendable, even those who have appeared more than once in a film. "Expendables 3" began filming in Bulgaria this week, without actor Bruce Willis, who failed to negotiate a contract price.
Following reports that Bruce Willis had engaged in a dispute with Sylvester Stallone over the amount of money that Willis would be paid to make a return to the third movie, filming has begun without him. Willis allegedly wanted $4 million for four days of work. The first two "Expendable" films grossed an estimated $600 million combined in worldwide box office.
"Greedy and lazy … a sure formula for career failure," Stallone tweeted after announcing that Willis would not return earlier this month.
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But the show must go on, and that it did. Principle photography for the film began on Monday in Bulgaria according to Lionsgate and Millennium Films. Directed by Patrick Hughes, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews and Schwarzenegger will all be returning to roles from the first two films.
New cast members have also been added including Twilight's Kellen Lutz, MMA star Ronda Rousey and welterweight boxing champ Victor Ortiz.
Harrison Ford has replaced Bruce Willis, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Willis was initially offered $3 million for four days of filming in Bulgaria, which he refused. Most recently Willis starred in "Red 2" which has grossed a disappointing $80 million worldwide.
"I think [Willis] was pretty surprised he was replaced in 72 hours by Harrison Ford -- a better actor, a much nicer person and a more interesting direction for the film," a source told Hollywood.
Willis fan however, were left disappointed.
"WOW!!!! Bruce(bruno) Really??? I feel like that kid in pet Cemetery.No fair bruce willis,no fair," one fan wrote on a USA Today blog. "Think about the fans."
"Expendables 3" has been given a budget of $90 million.
