Expendables 3 Cast Rumors and Release Date: Mel Gibson and Antonio Banderas Join Action Franchise

Mel Gibson and Antonio Banderas have joined the cast of "The Expendables 3."

Sylvester Stallone previously dropped hints that the "Mad Max" star and the "Desperado" actor were joining the action film franchise and now, Deadline.com confirmed the rumors.

Stallone previously tweeted: "Mad Max Vs. Barney Ross." According to Entertainment Weekly, he used the reference to Gibson's famous action hero character to hint that he would be the villain in this franchise.

Stallone later teased Banderas with "Antonio B? Could be."

According to Yahoo Movies, Gibson's involvement with the third "Expendables" movie is both in front and behind camera. Stallone has expressed for sometime his excitement that the "BraveHeart" director might be calling the shots on the film.

"Mel is a MAGNIFICENT director!," Stallone wrote, according to Yahoo Movies. "Pure passion on every level. We'd be blessed to have him. A REAL long shot, but LIFE is a long shot - right?"

Details of Banderas' character haven't been released.

"He is a consummate actor and a gentleman," Stallone told the Huffington Post Entertainment.

The news follows the announcement that Indiana Jones star, Harrison Ford will also join the cast to "The Expendables 3."

The 71-year-old actor announced the news on Twitter. According to the Yahoo movies, Ford would replace Bruce Willis, and there had been some contention with Willis over his contract.

Willis reportedly demanded $1 million per day in salary to appear in the third film.

According to Deadline.com, Stallone, who directed the first film and has scripted the franchise, will return as Barney Ross alongside Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mickey Rourke.

Actor Jackie Chan has also been added to the lineup.

"The Expendables 3", directed by Patrick Hughes, is set to be released August 2014.