Stallone won’t direct The Expendables 2

Criticise The Expendables all you like (and believe me, I have) but it’s impossible to deny that audiences are chomping at the bit to revisit the testosterone-packed universe created by Sylvester Stallone.

Work on the sequel is progressing nicely, but the L.A. Times is reporting that Stallone will not return as director. Stallone is instead meeting potential directors to take on the script from writers David Agosto and Ken Kaufman (who, in a good sign, did not pen the original).

Stallone has indicated an interest in bringing Bruce Willis back for the second instalment as a more significant villain. And with Arnold Schwarzenegger set to return to the world of acting, there’s a solid chance he could expand on his – unintentionally hilarious and stilted – cameo from the first film.

Discuss: Who would you like to see helm the new Expendables film?