Just a short while ago we announced the production of a female version of The Expendables.  Now, we have word that up-and-coming action star Gina Carano (Haywire) is set to topline the untitled picture.  Carano was briefly mentioned in our fantasy cast for Adi Shankar's production, which Dutch Southern is writing. The former American Gladiators star certainly has the goods to be the face of the ladies' version of the franchise, but it would be a missed opportunity not to include some of cinema's classic action heroines.  Hit the jump to see what Shankar had to say about Carano joining the picture.Variety reports that Shankar is also in talks with several unnamed actresses prominent in the action genre, but is thrilled to have Carano on board, saying:

"I don't know how I'm supposed to make a movie that is supposed to be the female version of 'The Expendables' without Gina Carano in it. It would be like making Twix without caramel or Jamba Juice without jamba."

Carano is an excellent choice to build the franchise around, but the faces of the male version of The Expendables were the famous action stars we'd grown to know and love.  Here's hoping Shankar is able to round up some good old fashioned 80s, 90s and 00s action talent to go along with the new blood.

Carano can next be seen in The Fast and the Furious 6 (see a set photo with co-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson here) and is also attached to star in John Stockwell's Taken-esque action-thriller In the Blood.