Mad Max versus Rocky/Rambo? That's the showdown we've been teased with over the past month, thanks to rumors about Mel Gibson being cast to play the central villain in writer/star Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables 3.

Sly previously announced that the Oscar-winning actor/filmmaker had passed on the chance to direct the cheesy action-throwback flick, so it came as a bit of a surprise when Gibson's name later reappeared as a potential new cast addition. On the other hand, Gibson's next onscreen appearance will be that of the antagonist in director Robert Rodriguez' Machete Kills, where he plays a madman bent on spreading anarchy across the globe. That is to say, it's possible that Mel's decided to have some fun (while revitalizing his career in the process), before he returns to making serious fare like his next planned directorial effort: the gruesome Viking tale Berserker.

Here is what Sly recently posted on his Twitter account:

Mad Max vs Barney Ross......— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) July 16, 2013

Does this count as official confirmation that Gibson's onboard for Expendables 3? Technically, the answer is no, but there's very little reason to think that Stallone would intentionally mislead his fans to such a degree - if there weren't a legitimate fire behind all the smoke, that is. Basically, if you've been chomping at the bit by the prospect of getting to see Gibson chew the scenery and battle Sly - along with the rest of his craggy band of muscleheads - then it sounds like your wish is going to be granted.

Patrick Hughes to direct The Expendables 3

Similarly, it would appear that the Expendables 3 cast will include new additions Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes, Nicolas Cage and Resident Evil leading lady Milla Jovovich, in addition to (possibly) the series' longtime holdout Steven Seagal. The plan seems to be to make Expendables 3 bigger, crazier and even more of a tongue-in-cheek affair than the last installment, similar to what Rodriguez is doing with his Machete sequel. Cast-wise, everything in place for that to happen, so now it's up to director Patrick Hughes (Red Hill) to guide this testosterone-fueled boat to shore.

Be sure and let us know your thoughts about the cast for The Expendables 3, in addition to what you're hoping to see in the movie (Sly brawl with Gibson, Nic Cage ham it up, etc.).

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The Expendables 3 opens in U.S. theaters on August 15th, 2014.

Source: Sylvester Stallone