Russell 'turned down Expendables role'

Sylvester Stallone has revealed that Kurt Russell turned down an invitation to star in his upcoming action movie The Expendables.

Speaking to fan forum StalloneZone, the actor said that Russell had declined the opportunity to join cast members including Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham and Jet Li in the mercenary film.

"I know that many people on the site have asked for Kurt Russell. I asked for him too," he admitted. "Actually, I was taken aback when asked to put the request in a letter and send it to his agent.

"Subsequently, I was called back by the agent several days later after refusing to send a letter and he said Kurt Russell is not interested in ‘ensemble acting’ at this time. So, People, I came, I saw, I failed."

The Expendables, which is being written and directed by Stallone, revolves around a group of mercenaries who are assigned to overthrow a South American dictator.