The Expendables 2 premiere

Bringing more muscle to the red carpet than any action-fan could dream of, Sylvester Stallone was joined by fellow Expendable comrades Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren and newcomer, Jean-Claude Van Damme. 

An absolutely electric atmosphere filled Leicester Square as the heavyweight actors, including Scott Adkins (who plays Van Damme’s villainous sidekick), made their way one by one down the red carpet into the Empire cinema. 

Even the fairly heavy, sporadic rain could not dampen spirits as the anticipation to catch one of these action heroes brought a small part of London to a standstill.

Dressed very smartly in suits, all the actors took time to have photos taken with fans and sign memorabilia. Van Damme in particular appeared to be lapping up the attention, which made up for Schwarzenegger and Statham who seemed to speed past the media and the awaiting fans. 

Producer Avi Lerner joined the actors on the red carpet and took time to answer a quick question:

How do you get so many actors like these ones together in one place? 

Avi: You just work with them, and give them the right character, the right representations – and of course you pay them! 

Although the real star of the show, writer and actor, Sylvester Stallone didn’t stop to talk, he certainly showed off his “family man” side by posing alongside his wife Jennifer Flavin, and their three daughters. It brought a stark contrast to Stallone’s action man character, Barney Ross. 

When their time on the red carpet was expended, the actors, their families and a host of other guests headed into the Empire cinema for a screening of the film. 

Bringing together such a glorious, solid bunch of actors, The Expendables 2 was justly promoted tonight ready for its launch into UK cinemas on the 16^th August 2012. 

Jennifer Atkinson
Photos: Jennifer Atkinson

Watch the trailer for The Expendables 2 here: