The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that Tamara Ecclestone has been approached by a family friend who knows Sylvester Stallone regarding joining the cast of Expendables 2. I know, who's Tamara Ecclestone? According to the article she's a 27 year old socialite with her own UK based reality show called "Tamara's World". The following is a direct quote from the article:

"She is very interested in acting - definitely not singing, Tamara admits to being tone deaf! She was approached by someone who knows Sylvester Stallone and he was asking about Tamara having a bit part in 'The Expendables 2'. It's something she's very interested in and hopefully she can meet with them when we go to LA."

Sounds interesting enough, she definitely has the looks, not sure on her acting ability but if its only a bit part I don't think anyone's too concerned if she's not Meryl Streep. What do you guys think?

Deadline has confirmed today that the top contender for the director's chair on Die Hard 5 has taken it, John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, May Payne) will direct Die Hard 5 which will feature the return of Bruce Willis as action hero John McClane. As previously reported, film will take place in Russia and feature both John McClane (Bruce Willis) and his son. The film is expected to begin production soon in Russia....Bruce has to make a stop in Bulgaria first!!

My source Svetlio in Bulgaria has informed me he has spoken with Christian Slater who is currently in Sofia, Bulgaria filming the film El Gringo and Christian has assured him that his involvement with Expendables 2 is just a rumor and he will NOT be a part of the cast. I'm of the belief that most likely all of the names that popped up a few days ago, (Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Christopher Lambert, Taylor Lautner etc.) will not be a part of the cast. I think they are all just names on a very long list of people who were being considered. Especially Taylor Lautner, that rumor has just got way too out of control, you think based on Twilight and Abduction that guy will be in Expendables 2? Come on!!

May have some more news regarding the film over the next few days, just trying to get some better confirmation on it before I post it. But as you guys all know, its hard to confirm much of anything for this movie.

Was doing some scouring tonight and came across this article at Sabotage Times. They were conducting an interview with Jean-Claude Van Damme about two weeks back and here's what Mr. Van Damme had to say about the original Expendables and his involvement with Expendables 2:

ON MONEY

Sylvester Stallone wrote a part for me in The Expendables. When I asked him about the subject, about the story, he said, ‘You’re gonna make lots of money’. I don’t want to hear that, I want to hear about the acting challenge. So I didn’t do the movie.

ON THE EXPENDABLES 2

I’m very happy to be in the picture. I had a lot of talks with Sly and the director Simon West and I decided that the best thing for me would be to appear in the film.

So can we end the Jean-Claude Van Damme debate now? Maybe his whole contract situation isn't worked out, but countless times now he's said he's going to be in this movie. Barring some unforeseen dispute or sudden development, Van Damme will be in this movie. Let's let the rumors end on this one.

A few days ago I mentioned I was going to receive some potentially big news and this is that news. A source who has contacted me from Sofia, Bulgaria where Expendables 2 will be filming has informed that he had the opportunity to speak with Expendables 2 director Simon West at the red carpet Bulgarian premiere of Conan The Barbarian. At the premiere, he learned from Simon West that both Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger are on board for Expendables 2. Arnold will apparently be in Bulgaria for a week filming his scenes and Bruce Willis possibly up to two weeks.

My source also informed me that Jean-Claude Van Damme is also on board and that Chuck Norris and John Travolta are NOT on board. Christian Slater will be in Bulgaria next week to begin filming a new movie and my source said he will try and get in contact with him to confirm whether or not he will be in Expendables 2. But my thinking is if Christian Slater is already going to be in Bulgaria for another movie anyway and he already has the connection with Sly as they just finished doing Bullet In The Head together, I'd say chances are looking very strong that Slater may have at least a small role in Expendables 2.

At the present time though, I have nothing to back all of this up. My source says his article is being published today in Bulgaria and I'm working on getting an online link for you guys to check out. So as always, don't take any of this as fact just yet but I am working on getting confirmation for you guys. So what do you think about all of this?

*UPDATE*
There won't be any online link to the article sadly as the article was published in a local newspaper that isn't featured online. I can tell you though that my source is one of the top 'go to' people in Sofia for the entertainment business and you can take him at his word. With the way things are going on this film I'm not going to say 100% this will happen but I think this is as close as were going to get to confirmation until an official source (Variety, EW etc.) picks it up and publishes.

PRE-STORY RANT:
Why can nothing be revealed about Sylvester Stallone's movies these days? I was waiting forever to try to get an official title for his new movie...was it Headshot or was it Bullet To The Head? There never seemed to ever be any official announcement but Bullet To The Head seems to be the go to title so let's go with it. It is based off a graphic novel called Bullet To The Head so that title is most appropriate. Official pictures from Bullet? Nope, lots of great shots of the set but nothing official.

Expendables 2? The list goes on and on.....sorry guys had to get that out.....I want to share concrete facts but apparently nothing involving Sly's movies these days can be delivered with any sure fire certainty. It's just so frustrating....

Anyways on to the article!! Twitch is reporting that Sylvester Stallone re-wrote the original script for Bullet To The Head that was originally written by Alessandro Camon. It's not known how much Sly changed the script, whether it was just minor tweaking or full out story changes. I'm sure all of these extra tasks he took on for Bullet To The Head kept his focus away from Expendables 2 which is probably one of the reasons the sequel is behind schedule.

But all complaints aside, Sly is a great writer and I'm sure he made Bullet an even stronger film and he will ensure we get a quality sequel in Expendables 2. But man, what I wouldn't give for some solid info on both of these movies.

Movie Mavericks has reported today that Steve Austin (Dan Paine) whose character technically died in the first film anyway will not be back for Expendables 2 but will be in Arnold Schwarzenegger's next action film The Last Stand opening January 2013. Here's what Steve Austin's people had to say to Movie Mavericks about the news:

At this stage of the game Steve Austin is not involved with Exp 2. Sly originally wanted to bring his character back, once he opted out of writing and directing, the script took another direction. I will not be doing Exp 2 as I am going to do Arnold’s movie in New Mexico. Rumor is Arnold is shooting a couple of days on Exp 2 but not confirmed. Hope you will follow me on The Last Stand.

As stated in the news, apparently the rumor is Arnold Schwarzenegger will be filming for a few days!! Here's hoping it all comes to fruition!! What do you guys think?

Apparently there is a very LONG list of actors that are wanted for Expendables 2 and Moviehole has uncovered at least some of the names on that list. The already revealed Donnie Yen and John Travolta are on the list as are: Chuck Norris, Taylor Lautner, Christian Slater, Christopher Lambert and Nicolas Cage. Apparently most of the offers for these actors HAVE NOT gone out yet which could explain why John Travolta was classified as a rumor. Now do keep in mind, these are all just OFFERS, by no means are any of these actors OFFICIALLY on board. I've heard from a source we may have some big news unveiled tomorrow but not entirely sure of all the details just yet, I'll keep you guys posted. So what do you think of all these names? I think we can all agree, scratch Taylor Lautner from that list NOW!!!

Earlier tonight I reported the following on the relationship between China and Expendables 2:

In related news, the LA Times is reporting that China will co-produce Expendables 2, allowing more money for the film and it will help pave the way for distribution of the film in China. One of China's stipulations was that some scenes take place there and as a result those scenes were added to the script. The addition of these scenes could be the reason for the holdup on the final script as the majority of the cast has stated that they are still waiting to see it. With production set to ramp up next month I'm sure if they don't have the script by now it will be arriving very soon.

And now Variety has more stating the following:

A rep for Nu Image/Millennium Films said Wednesday that the production company's in talks with a Chinese distributor to come on board as a producer on the sequel, which would lead to scenes being shot in China as long as a local actor's in the cast. Donnie Yen's been offered a part on the condition that the partnership deal goes through, which would make it far easier for "The Expendables 2" to be released in China.

The current start date for "The Expendables 2," also produced by Lionsgate, is Sept. 19 at Nu Boyana Studios in Bulgaria. Simon West attached to direct and Sylvester Stallone starring.

Just keeps getting more interesting!!

Today we have a few answers and now more questions thanks to an article posted by Movie Mavericks. According to their report, Chuck Norris is in a similar boat to Donnie Yen, there have been talks for him to join the cast but as of now nothing is set in stone, I imagine Norris is also waiting on the final script. Their report also states that they have contacted John Travolta's representatives and his participation in the film is pure rumor. Lastly, Jean-Claude Van Damme has apparently still not received an official offer for Expendables 2. I think we can still safely say though that Van Damme will be on board, he's been talking tons about it and the fan demand has been tremendously high, even though a deal is not in place I am very confident it will get done.

In related news, the LA Times is reporting that China will co-produce Expendables 2, allowing more money for the film and it will help pave the way for distribution of the film in China. One of China's stipulations was that some scenes take place there and as a result those scenes were added to the script. The addition of these scenes could be the reason for the holdup on the final script as the majority of the cast has stated that they are still waiting to see it. With production set to ramp up next month I'm sure if they don't have the script by now it will be arriving very soon. So what do you guys think about all this?