Kurt Russell, 50 Cent say no thanks to ‘Expendables’

Rapper 50 Cent has been dropped from the cast of THE EXPENDABLES after rejecting an offer by writer, director and star Sylvester Stallone. The ROCKY star had similarly bad luck with Kurt Russell who also declined a role.

According to a message from Stallone to fan site StalloneZone, Russell, star of cult favorite BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, wasn’t in the team spirit despite the fact that Stallone was listening to fan community calls for him to re-team with his TANGO AND CASH co-star.

“I know that many people on the site have asked for Kurt Russell,” said Stallone. “I asked for him too. Actually, I was taken aback when asked to put the request in a letter and send it to his agent. Subsequently, I was called back by the agent several days later after refusing to send a letter and he said Kurt Russell is not interested in ‘ensemble acting’ at this time. So, People, I came, I saw, I failed.”

As for 50 Cent, he had originally been picked to replace Forest Whitaker as a mercenary alongside co-stars Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, and Jason Statham.

Internet gossip initially suggested that Stallone had dropped 50 Cent after news of his involvement had upset fans and film bloggers but in a statement issued to MTV, a spokesman for the rapper set the record straight.

“50 Cent was offered the role of Hale Caesar in THE EXPENDABLES, however as he is currently in the process of completing his forthcoming album ‘Before I Self Destruct’ with Dr. Dre and Eminem, he was unfortunately not able to commit to the project.”

Replacing 50 Cent is actor Terry Crews (BALLS OF FURY).

THE EXPENDABLES concerns a team of mercenaries sent to oust a South American dictator. The film is scheduled for release in 2010.