Randy Couture has signed on for a major role in Sylvester Stallone’s next action movie.

MSNBC reports that the former UFC heavyweight champion will join action stars Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker for the $60 million movie The Expendables, which is due for release in 2010.

According to Couture’s agent, Matt Walker, Couture’s role was originally scripted for Wesley Snipes.

The project is the third major movie role Couture has signed onto for 2009, along with thriller Relentless and Lionsgate action film Warrior.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com