Having had some of its thunder stolen by the casting announcements for Machete the other week, the focus has shifted firmly back onto Sylvester Stallone's upcoming The Expendables with the latest piece of its own majestic casting jigsaw for the film falling into place.

Already, the film has what you could politely call a cast to die for. Mickey Rourke, Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Steve Austin, Randy Couture, Eric Roberts and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all been confirmed as having some kind of role - cameo or other - in the action extravaganza. But mystery has surrounded the role of Church, believed to be one the major string-pulled in the movie. For months, the speculation has been that Church was a role being offered to Bruce Willis. And this week, even though his character hasn't been confirmed, Bruce Willis has indeed confirmed that he'll be filming a cameo for The Expendables. We're wagering he's going to be filling Church's shoes.

Furthermore, when quizzed by MTV if his scene would bring Stallone, Schwarzenegger and himself on camera for the first time, Willis reportedly grinned and said, "That's the plan."

Right now, I could simply pass out with glee just at the mere thought of this. For a time in late 80s/early 90s when the three were at the height of their powers, it was touted that Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Willis would unite to make a film of Sgt Rock. That project, presumably as much for budgetary as well as scheduling reasons, never went ahead. Yet a decade or two later, and the three will indeed be coming together. This is a very, very good day.

In further Expendables news, it's been revealed that Stallone is cutting a teaser trailer in time for the Venice Film Festival. That should be available online at some point in September. I might just book the day off to watch it on loop.

Finally, on this very exciting day for Expendables news, the cake is iced by some new behind the scenes footage. It's come about as part of a promo for UFC 102 in the States, but frankly, it could have come from a High School Musical movie and we'd still be excited. Here's the clip.

As we'll be telling you lots of times between now and then, The Expendables is out in April. We will be going to see it.

MTV