Stallone to star in, direct action flick

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Sylvester Stallone has signed on to star in and direct "The Expendables," a film about a team of mercenaries trying to overthrow a South American dictator.

Stallone is best known for his roles in the "Rocky" and "Rambo" franchises. He also wrote and/or directed most of those movies.

Variety.com said Stallone wrote the screenplay for "Expendables," which is scheduled to start filming in February in Costa Rica and Louisiana.

Set to co-star in the action picture is "The Transporter" and "Crank" actor Jason Statham, while Jet Li is in final negotiations to join the cast, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.