Stallone, Statham take on 'The Expendables'

Rex Features

Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham are to star in The Expendables, an action film about a team of mercenaries.

The Hollywood Reporter says they could be joined by Jet Li, who is in final negotiations for The Nu Image/Millennium Films project. Stallone has written the screenplay and will also direct.

He said: "Making films with Nu Image/Millennium gives me as the director the opportunity to make the films I envision. I am happy to be partnering with them again and am looking forward to working with Jason and Jet."

The story follows a team of "expendables" sent to a South American country to overthrow a dictator and liberate its people. Filming will take place in Costa Rica and Louisiana from February.