Turns Out, Forest Whitaker Really Is 'Expendable'

There has been a change in the starting lineup for Sylvester Stallone's upcoming mercenary movie, The Expendables. Oscar winner Forest Whitaker has bowed out of the project, citing prior obligations. Stallone has a backup plan, however. Ain't It Cool News says that Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has joined the XXL cast. Is he taking over for Whitaker or do the announcements just coincide?Harry Knowles says Whitaker's role has indeed been recast with the star of Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Let's just hope the part doesn't call for some Idi Amin-like insanity, because I'm not sure Jackson would be as effective as Whitaker. If it's action, though, it shouldn't be much of a problem. The film still has a big collection of actors that will definitely draw attention, if not sell tickets. Stallone will star along with Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Eric Roberts, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Randy Couture, and Charisma Carpenter. In a related story, Lionsgate has announced that The Expendables will open April 23, 2010, which should give it a solid week of box office production before Iron Man 2 - also with Rourke - takes all the money.