In January, fans of The Expendables were baffled when they learned that the sequel would be rated PG-13.  The rumor first arose when Chuck Norris said he refused to do an R-rated movie and that it was re-cut per his conditions.  Sylvester Stallone then confirmed the rumor, and the reasoning seemed the change was done more for profit rather than any power Norris thinks he wields.  But now fans have received fresh hope that the naughty language and ultra-violent bloodshed will be present in The Expendables 2.  Last week, AICN reported that Stallone had told the folks at StalloneZone:

“After taking in all the odd rumors and hearsay, EXPENDABLES II is an R.”

Now co-star Dolph Lundgren is also saying that the movie will be rated R. Hit the jump for more.  The film also stars Jason Statham, Jet Li, Yu Nan, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The Expendables 2 opens August 17th.

It's a little bizarre that Stallone would call the PG-13 rating a rumor and hearsay, when he himself confirmed the rating in January.  Perhaps the outcry rang a little too loudly, and now he's willing to give the fans what they want: blood, guts, and swearing (no word on if he'll give them an exciting plot, interesting characters, or a sense of humor).

Lundgren has added fuel on the R-rated fire by telling Empire:

"I heard that it's now R again," says Dolph. "Stallone's basic setting is to make it very violent. That's just in his personality, and if it was me I would do the same."

He went on to add:

"I guess the producers figure they can make another $50m if it's PG-13, and if it was my money I might say the same thing! But I think for the fans, if it's tougher it's better."

So chin-up, Expendables fans!  If you thought the R-rating was enough to make the first movie good, then you'll probably love Expendables 2!

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