Outside of The Expendables, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger have struggled to pick up the kind of momentum that made either a superstar in those days of yesteryear. Although there are any number of different reasons for this stumbling about — and none of them speak especially well for the pair — a true test will come this fall, when both take lead roles in The Escape Plan, for which we have the first trailer this afternoon. Yes, fists will be thrown.
Mikael Håfström (1408) directs the picture, which its initial preview would suggest (the importance of that word) is less of an actioner à la The Last Stand than a thriller. The presented concept is perhaps too dopey for a genuinely effective genre entry, yes, but in a way that could make for something altogether entertaining; throw in an unexpectedly strong supporting cast — Amy Ryan, Vincent D’Onofrio, James Caviezel, Vinnie Jones, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson; the lattermost is an exception — and we have the makings for solid fall… escapism. “You punch like a vegetarian”? How do you not enjoy that much?
Have a gander for yourself (via IGN):
Synopsis:
One of the world’s foremost authorities on structural security agrees to take on one last job: breaking out of an ultra-secret, high-tech facility called “The Tomb.” Deceived and wrongly imprisoned, Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) must recruit fellow inmate Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to help devise a daring, nearly impossible plan to escape from the most protected and fortified prison ever built. Escape Plan is the first pairing of action legends Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in leading roles, and co-stars Jim Caviezel, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Vinnie Jones, Vincent D’Onofrio and Amy Ryan.
The Escape Plan arrives on October 18.
Are any hopes built by this preview, or does it look like more of the failed attempts at the good old days?