Jason Statham will star alongside Melissa McCarthy in 'Susan Cooper'.

The 'Expendables 2' actor has been in talks with director Paul Feig since October last year and has finally agreed to join the project in which he will play a spy who teams up with McCarthy, sources have told Variety.com.

Feig also wrote the script and will produce with Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping, while Jessie Henderson is executive producing.

Hollywood tough guy Statham, 46, is known more for his action roles but he has featured in more comedic movies such as 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch'.

However, he previously admitted he was drawn to the action genre since scenes are ''a lot of fun'' despite potential injuries, after he admitted he does his own stunts and often gets hurt.

He said: ''I'm always getting banged about. I just expect it now - it's part of the job. Coalminers get dirty, I get hurt! It looks serious, but it's actually a lot of fun; although it can get pretty ridiculous at times.''

Statham is set to hit the big screen in 2014's 'Heat' and 'The Expendables 3' while McCarthy has been cast in upcoming flicks 'Tammy' and 'St. Vincent de Van Nuys'.