The always-superb Tom Berenger (“Sniper”, “Platoon”, “Major League”) is polishing his holster in prep for the “Smokin Aces : Blowback”.

The action-veteran is said to be in talks to play the lead in the film, a fed sworn to protect a witness under custody from the mass of maniacs and thugs (One of the bounty hunters is AK-47, the sister of the Tremors’ boys from the original) who have either been evoked or commissioned to nail him.

David Richmond-Peck (“2012″) and Michael Parks (“From Dusk Till Dawn”) have also joined the cast.

The sequel to Joe Carnahan’s bullet-riddled actioner is about to get underway in Vancouver, under the direction of P.J Pesce (“Lost Boys : The Tribe”). Mike Elliot (“The Devils Rejects”, “WarGames 2″) produces, Chris Foss (“Punisher : War Zone”) is line producer and production manager.

I think Berenger’s a great choice for this particular part – grizzled, stern, expressive and most importantly, still able to hold his own in a skirmish.

Berenger’s more comfortable than a cotton-laced recliner in these types of films too. If you’ve forgotten how good he is an action movies, check out say, “Shoot to Kill” – I believe it’s his finest actioner – director Roger Spotiswoode’s unnerving serial killer pic which saw Berenger and Sidney Poiter trek into the mountains to save the former’s girlfriend (a guide) from a maniacal madman.

Berenger joins Nestor Carbonell (“The Dark Knight”, TVs “Lost”) and Tommy Flanagan (“Aliens Vs. Predator : Requeim”, TVs “Sons of Anarchy”) who are back as Pasquale Acosta “S.A. Gerald Diego” and Laszlo Soot, respectively, for the film.

A couple of other name actors have successfully tested for roles, but I’m not in a position to reveal them yet.