Jet Li, one of the most renowned martial arts actors in the world, was a notable cast member of the 2010 action film “The Expendables,” directed by Sylvester Stallone. The film was a major success and spawned two sequels, “The Expendables 2” and “The Expendables 3.” However, fans were surprised to learn that Jet Li had a limited role in “The Expendables 2” and did not appear in “The Expendables 3.” Many wondered why Jet Li left the Expendables 2, and there were several factors that contributed to his departure.
One of the main reasons Jet Li left “The Expendables 2” was due to scheduling conflicts. Jet Li had already committed to filming the Chinese film “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” at the same time as “The Expendables 2.” With both productions taking place on opposite sides of the world, it was impossible for Jet Li to commit to both projects. As a result, he was only able to make a brief appearance in “The Expendables 2.”
Another factor that played a role in Jet Li’s departure from “The Expendables” franchise was his health. In a 2013 interview with Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao, Jet Li revealed that he had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2010. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can cause weight loss, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Jet Li’s health issues made it difficult for him to perform the physically demanding action scenes required for the “Expendables” films.
Jet Li also expressed dissatisfaction with the way his character was written in “The Expendables 2.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jet Li stated that his character in the film had no depth and was simply a “prop” for the other characters to use in fight scenes. Jet Li felt that his character deserved more development and a more substantial role in the story.
Ultimately, the combination of scheduling conflicts, health issues, and dissatisfaction with his character led to Jet Li’s departure from “The Expendables” franchise. While fans were disappointed not to see Jet Li in the subsequent films, they understood that his health and personal satisfaction were more important than his role in the films. Jet Li continues to be a beloved martial arts actor and is still actively involved in the film industry today.