The Expendables’ excellent cast is undeniably the best part of the franchise, and it could prove to be the secret to saving the series from complete failure.

Expendables 4 was the worst of the Expendables movies so far, with most critics agreeing that its formulaic story completely wasted the undeniable talent in front of the camera. The films have so much potential with names like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jason Statham all attached to certain sequels, but the writers are rarely able to capitalize on their talent. This could definitely change if a fifth movie does happen, but Expendables 5 would need a new action star to keep the story fresh and original.

The Expendables Franchise Needs Fresh Blood & Alan Ritchson Would Be A Perfect New Lead

Ritchson Could Breathe Some New Life Into The Franchise

There’s no denying that the crew behind The Expendables franchise needs to try something new if they want to keep this series moving into the future - and with Stallone likely stepping back from the saga, this is the perfect opportunity for a new face to make his entrance and rejuvenate the films. Alan Ritchson is a perfect candidate for this; the actor is best known for playing the title character on Amazon’s Reacher series, which is based on the hugely popular Jack Reacher books by Lee Child.

From that series alone, Ritchson has proven himself to be one of the most exciting and innovative faces in the action genre. He’s got that signature charm and screen presence that actors like Schwarzenegger and Stallone displayed in their early careers, and his dedication to the stunt work and fight choreography on Reacher is something to be ired. If he brought this same dynamic energy to the Expendables franchise, it’s hard to see how that could go wrong. He may be the shot of adrenaline that the series desperately needs.

Ritchson's Movie With Arnold Schwarzenegger Can Prove His Expendables Credentials

The Actor Could Prove Himself In The Holiday Movie

Luckily, Ritchson will have an opportunity in the very near future to prove that Reacher wasn’t just a one-off fluke. The actor will star opposite Schwarzenegger himself in The Man with the Bag, an action/comedy movie that takes place during the festive season. The movie follows Schwarzenegger’s version of Santa Claus as he teams up with a petty criminal in order to retrieve his sack of presents before it’s too late and Christmas is ruined. It’s very different from both actors’ existing catalogs, but that’s exactly why this Schwarzenegger and Ritchson action team-up is so exciting.

He’s an excellent Jack Reacher, but it’s still to be seen whether he’s got the same comedic touch as Schwarzenegger and his co-stars.

The Man with the Bag should give Ritchson a perfect opportunity to prove that he’s capable of translating his dramatic talents to a more lighthearted, comedic atmosphere like the one that’s employed in the Expendables movies. He’s an excellent Jack Reacher, but it’s still to be seen whether he’s got the same comedic touch as Schwarzenegger and his co-stars. If The Man with a Bag is successful, this could be a really strong step in the right direction for Ritchson’s potential Expendables casting.

Even With Alan Ritchson, Is It Too Late To Save The Expendables Franchise?

The Series Could Be Beyond Repair

However, there’s certainly an argument to be made that Alan Ritchson may not be enough to bring the Expendables franchise back from its current low point. The fourth installment was a huge disappointment that really turned audiences away from the series, and it won’t be easy to bring many of those viewers back. Whether it’s Expendables 4’s terrible visual effects, the increasing decline in the quality of storytelling, or simply the departure of Stallone’s main character, all signs are pointing toward Expendables 5 not being worth it.

If the film wants to succeed, Expendables 5 needs to be completely different from everything that came before it. It needs a new protagonist, a new roster of ing characters, and a new overarching narrative that creates enough mystery and intrigue to keep audiences invested in the series. Ritchson would be the perfect new face of this rebooted franchise, following in Stallone’s steps to create something that’s connected to the existing films while feeling completely fresh and new. This is the only way that The Expendables franchise can reliably continue into the future.