The recent box office performance of The Expendables 4 has been underwhelming, with a total worldwide gross of only $37.9 million against a reported budget of $100 million. According to Dolph Lundgren, one of the film's stars, there were a number of reasons for this failure, including issues with the film's script which he suggests was not up to the standard of previous iterations due to Sylvester Stallone not being involved in the writing process. Additionally, the film experienced directorial changes shortly before shooting, with Scott Waugh replacing Patrick Hughes, further contributing to the challenges faced during production.

Lundgren, who has portrayed Gunner Jensen since the franchise began, expressed his disappointment with the final product, pointing out that the teamwork aspect, which was central to earlier films, was lost in this sequel. He also cited the COVID-19 pandemic and an actors' strike, which limited the film's promotional opportunities, as factors in the film's poor reception. Despite the inclusion of stars like Megan Fox and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the lack of publicity, including missing out on a star-studded premiere, impacted its performance.

In a review of The Expendables 4, IGN gave the film a low score, criticizing it for lacking nostalgia, charisma, and charm and for being both uninspired and boring. The review lamented the decline of what was once an entertaining action franchise.

Why did The Expendables 4 fail at the box office?

The Expendables 4 failed at the box office due to a combination of script issues, lack of Sylvester Stallone's involvement in the writing, directorial changes before filming, delays from the COVID-19 pandemic, limited publicity due to an actors' strike, and the overall loss of the team-centric essence that characterized previous entries in the franchise.

The Expendables franchise began in 2010 as an ensemble action series, renowned for bringing together a cast of iconic action stars from the 1980s and 1990s, including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Dolph Lundgren, among others. The films have often been praised for their high-octane action sequences and throwback style to classic action movies. This latest installment's struggle may mark a significant turning point for the series, casting doubt on the future of The Expendables saga.