Longtime writer Chuck Dixon scripts comic-book prequel to 'The Expendables' movie

When dynamite decided to do a comic adaptation of "The Expendables," an August film release featuring arguably the most colossal collection of action stars ever to appear together, there was only one choice to write it.

Chuck Dixon has become legendary for scripting butt-kickers - due in large part to lengthy runs on Punisher and Batman - and he is more than up to the challenge of writing this prequel comic.

The action is fast and furious, and there is adrenaline crammed into every panel.

Dixon seems as stoked to be writing these stars' characters as we are to read about their mishaps and adventures, which take place shortly before the movie's tale begins.

Dixon mainly focuses on the characters to be played by Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews and the bad guy played by Mickey Rourke.

The film is a tribute to the blockbuster action films of the 1980s and '90s, and the comic reads that way as well.

The Expendables are a covert band of mercenaries skilled at various forms of weaponry - from guns to explosives - and hand-to-hand combat. Dixon conveys that old-fashioned action appeal with testosterone-fueled scenes and macho dialogue.

Their mission in issue No. 1 - shutting down the worst companies in the Third World that operate the infamous "Nigerian Prince" e-mail scams - seems lame at first, until it's explained that this is a multi-billion-dollar industry.

So, naturally, those running them are not going to let themselves be shut down without a fight. The Expendables' take for this little adventure is $10 million.

This would seem a minor detail, except that Dixon explores how guys used to making big money for doing terrible things can become addicted to it and use their money on, shall we say, less than healthy pursuits.

There is a constant tension and fear of betrayal among the members of the team, and Dixon masterfully conveys this, while being careful to inject some humor, too.

One example of this, and an obvious ode to the era the movie is inspired by, is when one of the characters mocks another's "sad-ass CD collection," which includes tunes by . . . Bobby McFerrin.

Pick up "The Expendables." Don't worry, you'll be happy.

Dixon told Comics Guy that he was extremely pleased with how "The Expendables" comic came out and how he landed the gig.

"Nicky [Barucci] at Dynamite has known me for years," Dixon said. "He knew I could handle the military-action stuff and real-world politics of it without a sweat. And I can script fast when I need to."

Dixon scoffed at critics who say that younger movie fans would be turned off by the age of the cast.

"Hey, when I was a kid, John Wayne was already an old man," he said.

"But he kicked ass, and that's all I cared about."

Due to what has been extremely positive reaction to early test footage of the film, producer Avi Lerner says there are already plans to make two "Expendables" sequels.

Stallone is reportedly so excited about sequels he has decided to scrap a fifth "Rambo" and retire that character for good.

If you're wondering why one of your favorite action stars isn't on-screen in "The Expendables," there's a great chance it's not because he wasn't asked.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was personally asked by Stallone to appear in the film but felt there was no substance to his character and turned it down.

Stallone also originally conceived Terry Crews' character as being played by his "Demolition Man" co-star Wesley Snipes.

When Snipes did not pan out, the role was later rewritten for Forest Whitaker, who was replaced by 50 Cent, who in turn was replaced by Crews.

Steven Seagal turned down a request to do a cameo because he reportedly had a bad previous experience with the producer. Brittany Murphy and Sandra Bullock were also attached to the film at one point.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally supposed to play Mr. Church, the man who hires the Expendables but decided the role would be too big given his responsibilities as governor of California.

It was then offered to Kurt Russell, who did not want to be part of an ensemble. The role eventually went to Bruce Willis, and Schwarzenegger decided to accept a small cameo role.

According to the Hollywood Insider, Benjamin Walker has been cast as The Beast in the upcoming "X-Men: First Class" film, while 20th Century Fox is in negotiations with Michael Fassbender for the role of Erik Lensherr, the man who becomes Magneto.

"First Class" will be helmed by Matthew Vaughn ("Kick-Ass") and will depict the early years of the relationship between Charles Xavier and Lensherr, two young mutants first discovering their powers.

The two are the closest of friends at first, working together to stop a huge global threat, but they later become enemies, leading to an eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.

Production is set to begin this summer in London. "X-Men: First Class" is scheduled for release on June 3, 2011.

"Heat Vision" has reported that Nicolas Cage is in early talks to reprise his role as Johnny Blaze in an upcoming "Ghost Rider" sequel. Everything else is unknown.

Many fans who were disappointed in the first film are already grousing and saying that Cage should be replaced or that the film should be about the second Ghost Rider, Danny Ketch.

It is worth remembering, however, that despite being poorly received by critics and audiences, the film still grossed more than $230 million.

A huge reason for that is star power, which Cage provides.

Besides, Mark Steven Johnson - the man who has directed the original "Ghost Rider," "Elektra" and "Daredevil," arguably the three worst Marvel films of the past decade - will not be helming this one, which automatically brightens its prospects. "Crank" directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are in negotiations to direct this installment.

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