Deadline is reporting The Expendables 2 will pack a slightly larger action star-powered punch this time around as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis won’t be resigned to a tiny cameo that lasts about two minutes, but instead “substantial” roles in the sequel.
Deadline’s Mike Fleming calls the coming together of Sylvester Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Willis as an “Action Dream Trio.” I’m not so sure the dream on that trio is still alive, but it should definitely sell tickets and I’m interested in seeing what they are able to put together.
This time around Stallone will not direct as he did the 2010 original which went on to gross over $275 million worldwide. Simon West (Con Air) will instead take the helm on the film which will begin filming in October for an already slated August 17, 2012. Previous cast members Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews and Jet Li are also expected to return.
Recent rumors have had Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris and Scott Adkins also starring. And before that it was Donny Yen‘s name that was being thrown around. Neither of those rumors has been confirmed.
There is no official word on what Stallone and his group of mercenaries will be doing this time around, but a storyline that has been passed around involves the death of one of the team members and the team’s subsequent revenge. There is also talk of a kidnapped daughter, but all of that is unconfirmed.
Stallone also stepped away from the script this time leaving it in the hands of David Agosto and Ken Kaufman (Space Cowboys, Curious George). An unexpected duo if you ask me, but whatever.
