CORRECTED - Axcelis seeking confidential talks with Sumitomo

(Corrects to remove reference to Sumitomo stake in the last paragraph)

LOS ANGELES, May 23 (Reuters) - Axcelis Technologies Inc (ACLS.O) declined to accept the resignations from three directors, saying on Friday it needs their expertise as it seeks to engage in confidential discussions with Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd (6302.T)

Lead director Stephen Hardis and board members R. John Fletcher and H. Brian Thompson were required under company rules to offer to resign from the board because each failed to win a majority when they were reelected at the company's shareholder meeting on May 1.

Axcelis rejected a sweetened $616 million takeover offer from Sumitomo in March, saying it undervalued the semiconductor equipment maker's business. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)