Sylvester Stallone Not Writing, Directing 'Expendables 2'

Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred inThe Expendables, will not be behind the camera for the upcoming sequel and is currently discussing the position with a handful of directors, according to theLA Times.

The follow-up, which is in active development at Millennium Films, will instead be based off a script from David Agosto and Ken Kaufman, neither of who contributed to the original. Agosto’s resume consists of a single short film, but Kaufman co-wroteSpace Cowboys, the movie about the aged astronauts that starred Clint Eastwood and friends back in 2000.

This is potentially a good thing for the series, which will likely include expanded roles for Bruce Willis and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as new characters (Jean-Claude Van Damme?). While Stallone clearly has a knack for writing and directing smashmouth action and brawny heroes, he has consistently shown a tin ear for dialogue dating back to theRockysequels. Perhaps his new writing duo and a capable director can punch up his concepts and let Stallone focus on being Stallone.

The original movie made $274.5 million worldwide last summer.

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