Stallone confirms Norris and Van Damme in The Expendables 2

Sylvester Stallone and Co. seem to have a clear cut mandate when it comes to casting The Expendables 2, and that's to stuff even more over-the-hill, flabby action heroes into the film as possible. He call Carl Weathers yet? I get the reasoning. Part of what made the first film fun was the dream casting, and even if it all fell apart on screen, the numbers don't lie and people want to see these old fogeys of yesteryear duke it out. With that in mind we've heard a number of 80s staples being rumored for the film. Jean Claude Van Damme has been rumored since day one. So has Chuck Norris, who has spent the last few years sniffing the butt of Rupert Murdoch as a right wing tool of the GOP. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Stallone confirms that both are locked for the film, which should be commencing filming in Bulgaria shortly. Stallone promises a big ol' brawl between himself and Van Damme, a showdown absolutely nobody's been asking for, but could turn out cool. Certainly it has to be better than Jet Li vs. Dolph Lundgren turned out.

This follows on the heels of last week's story confirming that the returning Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger would have much bigger roles this time around. Just keep the shirts on, fellas. Thanks. Unfortunately he didn't give us an update on the status of martial arts superstar, Donnie Yen(Ip Man), who is said to considering a major part dependent on how the script shakes out. He'd be a much needed bolt of energy, and a likely replacement for Jet Li, who still seems uncertain about returning.

But what about Face/Off stars Nicolas Cage and John Travolta, two other A-listers who have been circling the film in recent weeks? Stallone doesn't seem so sure the schedules will work out with Travolta, but he seems far more certain Cage will sign up. He's got bills to pay, castles to buy. Cage ain't turnin' nothin' down. It might help that Simon West, who helmed Con Air with Cage all those years ago, is on board to direct.

The Expendables 2 will storm theaters on August 17th 2012.