Lionsgate and Maple Pictures revealed today at CinemaCon that Expendables 2 will explode onto screens August 17, 2012!! This release is pretty much exactly 2 years to the date of the release of the first Expendables film which arrived August 13, 2010. As of now, Sylvester Stallone is still the only confirmed cast member returning in a starring role as Barney Ross. David Agosto and Ken Kaufman have written the script for Expendables 2 and the search for a Director is still underway. As of yet, no story details have been divulged. Stay tuned for more as it happens!!

At last, proof that The Expendables do more good then just blowing away bad guys! Randy Couture is organizing a second annual Poker Run For Charity (he was the only Celebrity the first time around). This time he's invited:

most of the cast of "The Expendables", such as Jason Statham and Mickey Rourke. "Jet Li will be tough, he doesn't ride," Couture joked. He's also invited actors Kevin James ("Grown Ups"), Sean Patrick Flanery ("The Boondock Saints") and David Zayas ("Dexter"), plus MMA fighter Greg Maynard, MMA ref John McCarthy and many more.

The Poker Run will raise proceeds for wounded military vets, a truly excellent cause. To read more about this great event and its history, check out the original article at ESPN!!

Obsessed With Film is reporting that UK WBA Heavyweight Champion Boxer David Haye wants a role in the upcoming Expendables sequel. He released the following quotes:

“I’ve always loved films ……I believe I will be able to transcend from the sporting background into being a successful actor.”

(I’ve had…)Loads, loads, loads (of offers). I want to be in The Expendables 2, so fingers crossed.”

As of now, Expendables 2 is still without a Director after Sly's decision to step back and only keep a starring role in the sequel. I wouldn't expect any more casting announcements until a Director is in place and with this news comes the following reminder, wanting something and actually getting it are two VERY DIFFERENT things. Time will tell if Haye can land himself a role. Be sure to check out the full article at Obsessed With Film for more info on Haye and his history.

I am not taking credit for this pick, I've heard others suggest it as well, but as a HUGE fan of Die Hard I feel so dumb for not immediately going to this most obvious of conclusions. If Sylvester Stallone wants to step aside as Director, then in my mind John McTiernan is the next best candidate. John McTiernan re-defined the action genre with his work on Die Hard and made Bruce Willis the action star he is today.

A collection of macho heavyweights joining together for a mission? Yeah McTiernan did that too, it starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and kicked alien ass, it was a little film called Predator. McTiernan's career has its hits (Die Hard, Predator, The Hunt For Red October) and misses (The 13th Warrior, Rollerball) and I know he's recently had his troubles with the F.B.I but he is a proven veteran of action looking for a comeback and I think Expendables 2 could be his break.

McTiernan has Directed Bruce Willis in Die Hard, Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator and Sean Connery in The Hunt For Red October just to name a few. Big names want to work with him and he delivers quality action in his films. And with Bruce and Arnold you already have your Expendables connection.

He wasn't in my poll initially but he has since been added. If you agree with me that John McTiernan would be the perfect choice for Expendables 2 cast your vote in my poll below!! You can read more about John McTiernan and his career at IMDB!!

Today was a day of big announcements for the highly anticipated sequel to The Expendables!! It was announced Sylvester Stallone is stepping back and WILL NOT write and direct Expendables 2. Fans need not worry too much though, Sly is still actively involved with the sequel and will return to star and will be instrumental in the creative process with the film.

I have a lot of questions and I'm sure all you fans do as well. Which actors will return? Is Bruce Willis still set to become the lead villain of the sequel? Unfortunately we must wait for the answers. David Agosto and Ken Kaufman have apparently already written at least one draft of the script for Expendables 2. Whether it follows Sly's original ideas for the sequel or ventures off somewhere else entirely remains to be seen but like I said Sly is still actively involved with the creative process so his ideas could have been incorporated into the script.

Who's coming back? Well now, your guess is as good as mine. The most likely to return is of course Jason Statham and I'd suspect Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture and Mickey Rourke are all likely to be back as well. One actor I don't think will return is Jet Li. I have nothing against him and would welcome his return, I just feel like his role wasn't substantial enough in the first film and I don't see it growing in future sequels, hence a potential unwillingness to return. But like I said, Jet Li could also easily be back as well. I would LOVE and I know a lot of you guys would to, to see Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis return in larger roles. I really hope Bruce is still on board to play the villain because that would be fucking epic!! With all those actors mentioned, there are dozens more that could potentially join the cast but I'll just mention my top choice for now, Dwayne Johnson!!

Now, why would Sly choose not to write and direct Expendables 2? Don't you think the guy needs a break? Sly has written and directed his last three films!! Fatigue and a desire to step back had to set in at some point. Sly is currently set to star in an action film titled Heashot and presumably Expendables 2 will be his next film after that. With a nice two film (at least) break for Sly expect to see him back behind the camera for his next film. Possibly only behind the camera, he may choose to take a break from acting after Expendables 2. This is all my personal opinion of course, but I think a few people would agree with me,

With today's announcement you can basically disregard any casting announcements and potential plot rumors you've heard. As of now, Sylvester Stallone is THE ONLY CONFIRMED actor on board for Expendables 2. There is NO WORD on what the story might be or which new actors might be joining until we hear further from today. All of this brings me to my new poll question:

Who Do You Want To Direct Expendables 2? I took the liberty of posting a few suggestions, head over to the poll and cast your vote!!

24 Frames broke a MAJOR development on Expendables 2 today!! Apparently in a shocking turn of events Sylvester Stallone will NOT be WRITING or DIRECTING Expendables 2. He is however still set to return to star as Barney Ross in the sequel that is still moving forward. At this time and with this news, he is now the ONLY CONFIRMED star set to return. David Agosto and Ken Kaufman (Curious George, Space Cowboys) have apparently written the script for the sequel that is currently courting Directors, no word yet on the Directors whom they are considering. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available!!!