Stallone not directing Expendables 2

Los Angeles - Sylvester Stallone won't direct The Expendables sequel.

The action star - who was director, co-writer and star of the first film - is said to be meeting up with other filmmakers who might take on the project instead of him returning for the planned second instalment.

According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Stallone has had less involvement with the script of the sequel, with David Agosto and Ken Kaufman picking up the writing credits instead.

The project's producer Millennium Films has declined to comment, but so far it has been confirmed that Bruce Willis - who also starred in the first film - will appear in the sequel, possibly with a bigger role.

Steven Seagal

Jean-Claude Van Damme is also lined up for a leading role, although he turned down an offer to be in the first film, which tells the story of a group of action heroes heading to South America to overthrow a dictator.

His close friend, director Sheldon Lettich, confirmed he was on board but Steven Seagal is unlikely to return because of issues with producer Avi Lerner.

He wrote: "JC seems to be leaning towards appearing in the sequel, as far as I know.

"If Steven Seagal is not in the sequel, from what I've heard it won't be because of Sly but because of producer Avi Lerner, who had a few bad experiences with Steven."

The Expendables grossed £169m worldwide on its release in 2010.