Caffeinated Clint
Despite director Rob Cohen’s recent departure from the project (he left to direct “Medieval”), actor Vin Diesel seemingly remains fully committed to starring in a third “XXX” movie.
The Hollywood Reporter says Ericson Core, director of the Mark Wahlberg-starring “Invincible” (1996), has replaced Cohen in the helmer’s box. Diesel, having worked with Core on the first “Fast and the Furious” – of which the filmmaker was the DP – approved of the appointment.
John Brancato and Michael Ferris (“Terminator Salvation”) wrote the script for “XXX : The Return of Xander Cage.” It involves Cage’s return to the National Security Agency after an eight-year absence. Richard Wilkes, who wrote the original movie, did a recent polish.
With Diesel a box-office draw again following his success in this year’s “Fast and Furious”, Columbia are said to get this off-the-ground as soon as possible – – – before the actor decides, yet again, he’s too good for sequels.
