While it has already been reported that Sylvester Stallone would not be directing the planned sequel to lasts year’s action smash hit; The Expendables; which he wrote, directed, and starred in, a number of reports have since suggested that he would be picking up the megaphone once again; something the star himself has now officially denied.
Having been so heavily involved with the first movie (being the real driving force behind getting the $80 million movie made, and grossing $275 million at the Box Office) it was widely assumed that Stallone would reprise all of his former roles for the inevitable sequel, and although he has stepped down from directing, and is taking a much smaller role in affecting the story this time around, Sly will remain heavily involved with the project, and is currently choosing a list of as yet unnamed directors who would be able to successfully pick up the reigns from the action legend.
He’s also still involved with the casting process, and while rumours continue to run rampant as to who may or may not return, and who may or may not be added to the cast list, it is known that Stallone is seriously trying to tempt Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis (who both had a small cameo in the first movie) back for larger roles in the next film, and will likely be expanding upon the list of onscreen action heroes included in the movie.
David Agosto (Big Canyon) and Ken Kaufman (Space Cowboys) have written the screenplay for The Expendables 2, however there’s no release date or even start date confirmed as yet, because not only is the movie lacking a director, but it’s leading man (Stallone) will imminently begin shooting the action movie Headshot with director Walter Hill (48 Hours).
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: Deadline.
