The Expendables 2 - Women in charge -

Why her ?

When picking a leader for my all-female team there wasn’t any choice other than the woman that represented female bad-assery in the 70s, 80, and 90s: The Alien-fighting Ellen Ripley. Even though she’s done all sorts of genres and many other films (including most recently Avatar), Weaver remains the top choice to command an female commando team.

Why her ?

Few would argue that the sexy Angelina Jolie doesn’t belong on this list and it’s with good reason that I place her on here as well. She’s a strong actress with a decent number of actions films under her belt including Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Beowulf, Wanted and the role she is most well known for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Even in the new action film Salt, she looks like she belongs in an action role.
Nobody would question her ability to be Weaver’s right-hand woman.

Why her ?

When looking to replace one of the top martial arts males in the film industry, I didn’t have to look any further than the beautiful Michelle Yeoh. Like Li, Yeoh’s martial arts film experience started back in the 80s with the Hong Kong action films Supercop and Police Story 3 and quickly moved on to be the Lady for female martial arts roles. She became an international star thanks to the epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and once again proved her acting/action skills in Tomorrow Never Dies and The Mummy 3. Interesting side note, Yeoh was the lady training with the cobra in the recent Karate Kid remake.

Why her ?

To call Milla Jovovich an up-and-coming female action star would be a gross understatement. Starting with The Fifth Element and moving on to the highly successful Resident Evil franchise, Jovovich has proven herself to be a solid and entertaining butt-kicking actress for quite a long time.

Why her ?

Originally I thought of Zoe Saldana (The Losers) for this role but she’s just way too young to properly replace Crews. Instead, I turned to the “Copperhead” from Kill Bill Vol. 1. Fox has the same ability as Crews to be both a badass and a comedian at the same time. It’s true that she hasn’t been known for her over-the-top action-heavy films but that doesn’t change the fact that she is beautiful, sexy and potentially deadly.

Why her ?

There are only a handful of female action characters that people know by name and probably one of the most well known is The Bride. Uma Thurman has showed that a tall beautiful woman was just as strong and capable of fighting as any male counterpart.

Why her ?

Michelle Rodriguez may not have the true fighting experience of Couture but she more than makes up for it in terms of action films. In just about every action film she has appeared in she is a great example of a strong female character. The Fast and the Furious, S.W.A.T. and Avatar are great examples of her ability to act tough and kick all sorts of butt.

Why her ?

I have just seen her in Doomsday and even if the movie was not great, she really kicked some butt. She also provides that pissed off attitude always appreciated in an action movie character.

Why her ?

I can't think of anyone better than Bruce Willis own ex-wife to replace him. She has been the first female G.I in history and even if the movie (G.I. Jane) was not great, she was definitely convincing.

Why her ?

Arnold Schwarzenegger has a very limited role in The Expendables but his face and action films are very well known – and the same thing is true for Linda Hamilton. Her role as Sarah Connor in The Terminator forever solidified her persona as a female badass. If anyone wants to argue that point then I encourage you to watch Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Why her ?

What Expendables list would be complete without a bad guy? Eric Roberts has played his share of bad guys throughout his long film career. Trying to replace him is a difficult task but I think Pam Grier is up to the challenge. She’s best known for her roles in Foxy Brown and Jackie Brown but she also played a badass woman in Women in Cages and Above the Law. Grier would make a great antagonist for our female Expendables.