For some reason, the unit publicist for Sly Stallone’s “The Expendables” hates Bulgaria – well, she doesn’t fancy a trip there if Stallone decides to retain her services on the next film, anyway.  She’s also not that keen on Sly doing a film similar in vein to what’s inarguably one of the best actioners of the 80s – “Predator”. And last but not least, she’s been a bit iffy about whether or not there’s a need for a fifth “Rambo”.  And all this is important…. Why!?

But Stallone, knowing how chief it is to have a unit publicist on his side (what!?), has calmed Maria Scala’s nerves.

Scala reports on her blog, ‘’Honestly folks I have to admit I wasn’t that jazzed about Sly doing Rambo 5 or whatever number it is.  I felt the last one was so totally kick ass balls to the wall old school action there’d be no need to do another one.”

(Personally, I don’t agree – I think there’s room for one more. “Rambo” was fun, but it wasn’t a book-end to the series. Sly needs to wrap it all up; possibly introduce audiences to Rambo Sr.)

” Then there was the possibility of shooting in Bulgaria which really didn’t appeal to me “, the publicist continues, “so I was thinking I might have  to sit this one out.”

(What’s wrong with Bulgaria? Can get a nice, cheap meal there love!)

“But that all changed after my oh so interesting conversation with Sly on Saturday about the new Rambo.   I told him how happy I was after reading Zablo’s blog in which Sly said that he had changed the storyline. And while I have utmost respect for Sly’s writing and directing ability I just wasn’t psyched about John Rambo going Predator like on me.  So I told Sly that I was excited about him tackling the subject of the brutality women and children caught in the drug wars in Mexico face.  He spoke passionately about shining the high beams on the situation.  He said he is doing tons of research and the deeper he digs the more complex and dangerous the subject matter becomes.  It was clear this story has struck a chord in him so I am expecting a lot of intensity.  He commented it will be a brutal shoot…more brutal than The Expendables I asked…oh yeh he said.  Ok now I’m hooked. But I had to ask…what about Bulgaria. Absolutely not was the answer (phew). It will be shot in the US, probably somewhere in the southwest where there’s desert – perhaps New Mexico.  He is hoping for a spring 2010 start.  Me too”.

(But again, what’s wrong with Bulgaria!?)