Harrison Ford has replaced Bruce Willis in the third edition of the start-packed action adventure franchise Expendables, which is to be shot in Bulgaria.

Sylvester Stallone tweeted the news on Tuesday: "WILLIS OUT... HARRISON FORD IN !!!! GREAT NEWS !!!!! Been waiting years for this!!!!"

A few minutes later, Stallone added: "GREEDY AND LAZY ...... A SURE FORMULA FOR CAREER FAILURE"

Lionsgate Studios, which puts out the money-generating franchise, would not comment on Stallone's casting news, according to USA Today. Harrison Ford's press representative confirmed Ford's inclusion in the film.

The shooting of The Expendables 3, an action movie packed with old-school stars, is to start in Bulgaria on August 19.

The movie’s cast cast is expected to include Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson, Jackie Chan, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren and Wesley Snipes, among others. Media reports say Mel Gibson is likely to play the main villain.

The Expendables 2, starring Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews and Willis, opened in the US on August 16, 2012, easily topping the box office that weekend with USD 28.6 M. The Lionsgate and Millennium Films project, which was also shot mainly in Bulgaria, has earned USD 300.4 M worldwide