Stallone, Statham, Li are 'The Expendables' (SCR, VAR, THR)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

Coming off their successful collaboration on “Rambo,” Sylvester Stallone and Nu Image/Millennium Films are teaming for "The Expendables." Stallone wrote and will star in and direct the film which also stars Jason Statham. Jet Li is in final negotiations to join the action pic.

The story follows a team of mercenaries on a mission to overthrow a South American dictator. Statham and Li recently starred together in revenge thriller “War.”

“Expendables” is being shopped for pre-sales at the current AFM and is set to start shooting in February in Costa Rica and Louisiana.

"Making films with Nu Image/Millennium gives me as a film-maker the freedom to make the films I envision," Stallone said. "That doesn't happen in the business anymore. I am happy to be partnering with them again and looking forward to working with Jason and Jet."

The film reps the first project in Stallone’s two-picture deal with the studio. The second is expected to be a new “Rambo” installment.

Producers are Avi Lerner, John Thompson and Kevin King Templeton. Boaz Davidson, Trevor Short and Danny Dimbort are exec producing.