Sly and the Family Expendables
Security was almost as tight as that for a CIA-sponsored special-ops military mission into the dark heart of enemy territory. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Nevertheless, when a select group of journalists – including Villa Marbella Now’s film critic – were given a private preview of “The Expendables 3” at Marbella’s La Cañada theatre, eagle-eyed guards were on hand throughout the two-hour film to ensure no mobile telephones were surreptitiously capturing the images for subsequent unauthorised reproduction.
Not surprisingly really, as just two weeks earlier a digital copy of the film had allegedly been stolen and shared on “pirate sites”, with reports of more than two million downloads worldwide in the days following.
[caption id="attachment_1707" align="alignright" width="300"]
The Expendables Premiere in Cannes[/caption]
Later, the press group adjourned to the Auditorio de Marbella (La Cantera), venue for the Starlite Gala, where five of the stars of the film – Sylvester “Sly” Stallone. Wesley Snipes, Jason Statham, Kellan Lutz and Málaga’s own Antonio Banderas (who, at least in the opinion of VMN’s humble correspondent, provided the star performance of the film) – assembled for a light-hearted press photo call and conference.
It was one of the largest press entourages seen at a Costa del Sol event for many years. No doubt due to the fact that it has been many years since such a high-profile cast of Hollywood heavies has been seen together on the same Marbella stage.
Later that night they returned for a more glitzy red carpet presentation, and the official “pre-premiere” of the film in Spain, in the presence of a bevy of Marbella’s beautiful people.
The third part of a film franchise co-produced and co-written by Stallone, the film is set for public release on 14 August. Its spectacular special effects and action stunts, and natural improvisation (Stallone revealed, for example, that in the script he presented Banderas with 10 per cent of his personality and gave him carte blanche to develop the rest of the role to his liking) compensate for a fairly predictable storyline and sometimes-nondescript acting (Harrison Ford et al).
[caption id="attachment_1703" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Julio Iglesias[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1705" align="alignright" width="150"]
Tom Jones[/caption]
The story concerns a mercenary group known as “The Expendables”, led by Barney Ross (Stallone), and their pursuit of a ruthless arms dealer (Conrad Stonebanks, played by Mel Gibson). Stonebanks, the team’s co-founder, went over to the dark side and Ross has to recruit a new and younger generation of Expendables to overcome his adversary.
Other stellar members of the ensemble cast include Arnold Schwarzenegger Kelsey Grammer, Jet Li, Marbella resident Dolph Lundgren and martial arts champion Ronda Rousey. Bruce Willis was offered the opportunity of reprising his role as Church in Expendables 2 but reportedly declined due to a disagreement over money: he was said to have been offered $3 million for four days of shooting in Bulgaria, but wanted $4 million.
[caption id="attachment_1747" align="alignright" width="150"]
Gloria Gaynor at Starlite[/caption]
After the excitement of the premiere, Banderas remained in town as host of the charity Starlite Gala, where actress Mia Farrow received this year’s honorary award and Mexican business magnate and philanthropist Carlos Slim was honoured with the Starlite Gala humanitarian award.
The month-long summer festival continues until 23 August, with concerts by such global luminaries as Julio Iglesias (13 August), Tom Jones (17 August) and Kool & The Gang (19 August).
[caption id="attachment_1693" align="alignright" width="300"]
Remarkable splendour in Sierra Blanca[/caption]
For those having to enjoy the shows while living out of a suitcase at a hotel, or staying with friends or family, now is the perfect time to buy your own Marbella home base for next year. For example, this stunning property (under construction), inspired by grandiose Greco-Roman architecture – in the select Sierra Blanca urbanisation not far from the Auditorium.
Click
here to see more.
English
Español
Pусский
Security was almost as tight as that for a CIA-sponsored special-ops military mission into the dark heart of enemy territory. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Nevertheless, when a select group of journalists – including Villa Marbella Now’s film critic – were given a private preview of “The Expendables 3” at Marbella’s La Cañada theatre, eagle-eyed guards were on hand throughout the two-hour film to ensure no mobile telephones were surreptitiously capturing the images for subsequent unauthorised reproduction.
Not surprisingly really, as just two weeks earlier a digital copy of the film had allegedly been stolen and shared on “pirate sites”, with reports of more than two million downloads worldwide in the days following.
[caption id="attachment_1707" align="alignright" width="300"]
The Expendables Premiere in Cannes[/caption]
Later, the press group adjourned to the Auditorio de Marbella (La Cantera), venue for the Starlite Gala, where five of the stars of the film – Sylvester “Sly” Stallone. Wesley Snipes, Jason Statham, Kellan Lutz and Málaga’s own Antonio Banderas (who, at least in the opinion of VMN’s humble correspondent, provided the star performance of the film) – assembled for a light-hearted press photo call and conference.
It was one of the largest press entourages seen at a Costa del Sol event for many years. No doubt due to the fact that it has been many years since such a high-profile cast of Hollywood heavies has been seen together on the same Marbella stage.
Later that night they returned for a more glitzy red carpet presentation, and the official “pre-premiere” of the film in Spain, in the presence of a bevy of Marbella’s beautiful people.
The third part of a film franchise co-produced and co-written by Stallone, the film is set for public release on 14 August. Its spectacular special effects and action stunts, and natural improvisation (Stallone revealed, for example, that in the script he presented Banderas with 10 per cent of his personality and gave him carte blanche to develop the rest of the role to his liking) compensate for a fairly predictable storyline and sometimes-nondescript acting (Harrison Ford et al).
[caption id="attachment_1703" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Julio Iglesias[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1705" align="alignright" width="150"]
Tom Jones[/caption]
The story concerns a mercenary group known as “The Expendables”, led by Barney Ross (Stallone), and their pursuit of a ruthless arms dealer (Conrad Stonebanks, played by Mel Gibson). Stonebanks, the team’s co-founder, went over to the dark side and Ross has to recruit a new and younger generation of Expendables to overcome his adversary.
Other stellar members of the ensemble cast include Arnold Schwarzenegger Kelsey Grammer, Jet Li, Marbella resident Dolph Lundgren and martial arts champion Ronda Rousey. Bruce Willis was offered the opportunity of reprising his role as Church in Expendables 2 but reportedly declined due to a disagreement over money: he was said to have been offered $3 million for four days of shooting in Bulgaria, but wanted $4 million.
[caption id="attachment_1747" align="alignright" width="150"]
Gloria Gaynor at Starlite[/caption]
After the excitement of the premiere, Banderas remained in town as host of the charity Starlite Gala, where actress Mia Farrow received this year’s honorary award and Mexican business magnate and philanthropist Carlos Slim was honoured with the Starlite Gala humanitarian award.
The month-long summer festival continues until 23 August, with concerts by such global luminaries as Julio Iglesias (13 August), Tom Jones (17 August) and Kool & The Gang (19 August).
[caption id="attachment_1693" align="alignright" width="300"]
Remarkable splendour in Sierra Blanca[/caption]
For those having to enjoy the shows while living out of a suitcase at a hotel, or staying with friends or family, now is the perfect time to buy your own Marbella home base for next year. For example, this stunning property (under construction), inspired by grandiose Greco-Roman architecture – in the select Sierra Blanca urbanisation not far from the Auditorium.
Click here to see more.