HIS brother, Chris, is one of Hollywood's leading action men and now Liam Hemsworth looks set to join him after being cast in big-budget sequel The Expendables 2.

Replacing Mickey Rourke, who has pulled out for unspecified reasons, Hemsworth will play Tool in the film, which boasts an all-star cast, including Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme and Nicolas Cage.

The news comes as a lift for the Phillip Island local who was cast in the original Expendables in 2009 but written out of the script.

It's understood Stallone, who directed the first film, kept him in mind and -- after Rourke pulled out of the sequel -- insisted the 21-year-old be cast.

"It's super-cool news for him and he's thrilled to be doing it," said Hemsworth's Aussie rep, Mark Morrissey.

"Liam has an interest in all aspects of film but this is something he is particularly keen on so it's going to be a cool project."

The news, however, casts some doubt on whether Hemsworth will be available for his rumoured role in The Power of the Dark Crystal -- directed by Aussie brothers Peter and Michael Spierig -- due to begin production soon.

The Expendables 2, meanwhile, will be directed by Simon West and follows the original, which was released last year and raked in $274 million at the box office.

Hemsworth wrapped shooting on Lionsgate's The Hunger Games, while his action-hunk brother Chris is shooting Snow White and the Huntsman in London with Kristen Stewart.