Sly Stallone Approves Aussie Director Patrick Hughes For EXPENDABLES 3

Sylvester Stallone has chosen Australian director Patrick Hughes to direct Expendables 3. Hughes burst onto the action-directing scene with his debut feature, neo-western Red Hill, which stormed around film festivals, landed with Sony Pictures in Australia and proved a powerful calling card in Hollywood. 

Now he has the chance to flex his real powers, honed working as a very busy commercials director, with the third installment in Stallone's steroid-powered franchise. Expendables 3 is expected to welcome back the majority of its action stars, including Jason Statham and Dolph Lundgren, as well as adding Wesley Snipes.

Hughes doesn't have the gig officially as yet, with the Millennium suits needing to approve Stallone's choice. However the way this story has been reported in the trades suggests it's pretty much a lock. Production is set to begin in August.

Check out the trailer for Patrick Hughes' debut Red Hill below.