The Expendables franchise is back in the spotlight, and this time, the mercenaries trading punches are women. Announced at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, The Expendabelles has officially reignited after years of development stalls, bringing fresh energy to one of Hollywood's most beloved action franchises. Backed by Lionsgate and two major production houses, the project promises a bold new chapter rooted in a decade that gave the world frosted tips and Y2K panic.

While the 1990s set the stage, the casting of this all-female squad is where the real action begins.

The Expendabelles is officially back in development, and it is coming with a completely reimagined concept. Announced at Cannes on May 15, 2026, the spinoff is now envisioned as a standalone origin story set in the late 1990s, following a new generation of elite female operatives navigating Y2K-era geopolitical tension. Producers Heidi Jo Markel and Glenn Gainor are leading the project under Eclectic Pictures and Hollywood Ventures Group, with Lionsgate providing franchise support.

The previous version of the project, developed around 2014 with director Robert Luketic attached, involved female mercenaries posing as escorts to rescue a kidnapped nuclear scientist. That premise stalled repeatedly over creative hurdles and was shelved by 2022. The current revival scraps that concept entirely, opting instead for a period-set origin story designed to expand the franchise mythology while standing firmly on its own.

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As the reimagined premise finds its footing, fans are already asking whether the original films deserve a rewatch before The Expendabelles arrives.

Watching the original films is not a prerequisite. The Expendabelles is built as a standalone story with entirely new characters, making it accessible to audiences unfamiliar with the mainline franchise. That said, the originals offer worthwhile context on the franchise's signature tone, relentless action, ensemble camaraderie, and gleeful excess, which the spinoff intends to honour.

For those wanting to catch up, all four mainline films, The Expendables (2010), The Expendables 2 (2012), The Expendables 3 (2014), and Expend4bles (2023), are currently available on Netflix. Rental and purchase options exist on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. With The Expendabelles still in its packaging phase, there is plenty of time to binge the originals before the new chapter arrives.

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What are your thoughts on The Expendabelles reigniting at Cannes? Let us know in the comments.