The Expendables 2 is just about to hit theaters, but the buzz is already turning toward The Expendables 3. Each installment aims to bring more aging action icons (as well as some younger blood) to the screen, with the third film potentially adding more star power from  Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood and Nicolas Cage.

Speaking at the London Press Conference for The Expendables 2, Sylvester Stallone also said that there might be a change in genre for the potential third film, hinting that the franchise might enter the realm of science fiction going forward.

When Sylvester Stallone was asked about a third Expendables movie he said:

"We are thinking about different concepts – the third one is the hardest. The second is the natural progression. The third, that’s when the air gets rare. We’re thinking ambitiously about it...

You now have to give audiences something they don’t expect at all - maybe even going into a different genre. Get out there a bit [to Arnold Schwarzenegger], maybe even rip-off one of your other films."

Schwarzenegger's favorite genre (other than action) over the years has been science fiction, so might Stallone be thinking of dusting-off the discarded Rambo 5 script, The Savage Hunt?

The Savage Hunt

The script for that film saw John Rambo and a Black Ops team track down an escaped, genetically modified super-soldier. That ‘other film’ of Schwarzenegger’s that Stallone talks about could be Predator! It sounds like it might not take too much work to modify the script and make it fit the world of The Expendables, a world which is much more cartoonish than that of Rambo.

This is speculation on my part, but Stallone was excited by The Savage Hunt when it was first announced, and he is known for persevering with scripts that he has as passion for – Rocky and Rocky Balboa, anyone? The plan is to get The Expendables 3 before cameras sooner, rather than later and using an existing script might help things along, so it is likely that The Savage Hunt could be the next adventure.

As for the participation of new Expendables, I spoke with producer Avi Lerner at the film’s premiere about casting for a third film:

Who would be your dream cast for The Expendables 3?

"We talked to Clint Eastwood, to Harrison Ford and we’ll get some names."

Does it look like they might do it?

"They all want to participate. You just have to find the right character, the right direction and the right place."

It looks like Stallone and Lerner might pull out all the stops for the third film - if it gets made. After all, these guys aren’t getting any younger and they’ll have to top the first sequel if they want to follow the Hollywood maxim of 'bigger is better.' However, like Lerner said, it’s all about the character, and these stars might not want to get short-changed with a thankless cameo. The brief screen time of Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis in the first Expendables was one of its criticisms but it lead to fleshed out roles this time around.

Having said that, the poster for the film would be worth the casting of Ford and Eastwood alone!

The Expendables 2 is unleashed in theaters this Friday.

Keep reading Screen Rant for more news on The Expendables 3.