The Twilight Saga star Kellan Lutz is in early talks to join the cast of The Expendables 3. In related news, despite a report from last month that "confirmed" Mel Gibson as the villain, this latest report reveals that the actor is not involved in the sequel at this time.

Insiders claim that Kellan Lutz will be part of a younger, tech-savvy group of action heroes who, at first, clash with Sylvester Stallone and his band of mercenaries, before both units join forces. This isn't the franchise's first attempt to bring in a more youthful audience, with The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth playing "The Kid" in The Expendables 2.

Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes, Milla Jovovich, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are also part of the cast. Last week, actor Nicolas Cage shot down rumors that he was a part of the cast.

Patrick Hughes (Red Hill) is directing from a screenplay by Sylvester Stallone and Richard Wenk. Production is scheduled to begin sometime next month.

Kellan Lutz recently starred in Syrup, and he will next be seen in Tarzan and Hercules 3D.