Summary

• Giselle Itié's dedication to realism led her to perform her own stunts, including the waterboarding scene, in The Expendables, adding authenticity to her character.
• Sylvester Stallone sustained a permanent neck injury performing a stunt in the film, reflecting on the risks of doing one's own stunts.
• The Expendables' gritty and adrenaline-fueled sequences, with a star-studded cast, created a raw and immersive experience for audiences.

Giselle Itié was one of the bravest actors in the star-studded Expendables cast of action legends, including Stallone himself, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Dolph Lundgren, was assembled in 2010. It follows a group of elite mercenaries tasked with overthrowing a Latin American dictator, weaving a narrative filled with explosive stunts, hand-to-hand combat, and a display of brotherhood amongst the band of warriors.

The film's dedication to practical effects and real stunts contributed to its raw and immersive experience. Brazilian actress Giselle Itié portrayed Sandra, a key figure whose plight catalyzes the mercenaries' mission. Despite being relatively new to the Hollywood scene at the time, Itié's performance and commitment to her role left a lasting impression. Not only did she hold her own among a cast of seasoned action veterans, but her willingness to perform her own stunts added a layer of authenticity to her character, underscoring The Expendables' gritty approach to action.

Giselle Itié Performed Her Own Stunts In The Expendables Sandra Torture Scene

The Actor Insisted When Stallone Wanted To Use A Stunt Double

Giselle Itié's Expendables character, Sandra, finds herself in the direst of situations — captured, tortured, and facing imminent death if not for the intervention of the Expendables. Among the most harrowing scenes is her torture sequence, a pivotal moment that not only tests her resolve but also galvanizes the mercenaries into action. Itié's dedication to realism led her to perform her own stunts, including the perilous act of being waterboarded. Stallone, the film's director and lead, revealed his initial reluctance to allow Itié to undertake such a dangerous stunt. The filmmaker commented (via YouTube):

"She's a Brazilian actress who really insisted on doing primarily all her own physical work, and those were somewhat difficult stunts. Especially when she was going to be waterboarded. I was gonna use a double because it's dangerous, she said, 'No. I wanna do it.' And believe it or not, she actually is being waterboarded in the scene."

This decision not only speaks volumes about Itié's dedication but also adds a chilling layer of authenticity to The Expendables. The scene, as a result, is both gripping and unsettling, serving as a testament to Itié's remarkable performance and her willingness to push the boundaries for her art.

Sylvester Stallone Sustained A Permanent Neck Injury Performing A Stunt In The Expendables

It Was During A Fight Scene With Steve Austin

The production of The Expendables was not without its significant challenges and risks for other cast too, especially for Sylvester Stallone. In pursuit of authenticity and the visceral impact that practical stunts have on the audience, Stallone also took on the physically demanding task of performing his own stunts. This commitment, however, came at a steep price. During a fight scene with Steve Austin, a wrestler-turned-actor known for his physical prowess, Stallone sustained a severe neck injury that would have lasting implications on his health. Reflecting on the incident, Stallone said:

"I thought I was going to be OK. I had my back operation, which is why you should never do your own stunts. There's something kind of romantic about doing your own stunts. There's something very unromantic about after doing your own stunts. I did stupid stuff. I was directing Expendables, and like an idiot, I'm doing take 10. I never recovered from Expendables 1. After that film, I was literally, physically, never the same."

The stunt that caused Stallone's injury was one of many high-risk physical confrontations in The Expendables, but it was this particular altercation that went beyond the anticipated physical toll. Stallone's reflection, marked by a blend of regret and a warning to others, emphasizes the importance of considering long-term health over the immediate gratification and appeal of executing stunts personally. Stallone's injury and subsequent surgeries became a part of the lore of The Expendables and it's this commitment that makes the blockbuster action franchise so enthralling.

Source: YouTube