Vin Diesel has been talking up a third Chronicles of Riddick film for nearly two years now. He let his fans know via Facebook at the end of ’09 that the project had already begun location scouting and a few months later he was confirmed to be returning to star in and produce Riddick 3. David Twohy, the man behind both Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick penned the script, which is said to be true to the character, very dark and certainly worthy of a hard R-Rating.
Twohy and Diesel pitched the project to potential buyers a year ago, using footage from the previous films and video games along with concept art from the new film, which will apparently be going with the simple title of Riddick. Now comes word from Vin Diesel himself that the film is good to go and that it can begin production this summer, but with a “catch.”
Diesel went straight to Facebook with the latest Riddick 3 update, explaining that they can shoot the project this summer but that because of financial reasons, he’ll have to take a pay cut of sorts. As a dedicated supporter and the backbone of the Riddick franchise, having a hand in every related project, even producing and voicing the character for the video games, developed by his own video game production company, Tigon Studios, that’s not going to stop the film from happening.
Here’s the post Diesel put up on May 24th which has 30,000+ “Likes” at the time of this posting:
GRRRR..
D T the writer/director just landed in New York with the good news. We can start filming this summer. However, there is a catch… in order for us to make a true R rated film, I must work for scale upfront. Not unlike the “Find me Guilty” experience (which I wouldn’t have changed for the world)…
Money is always second to art, integrity and spirit… but the real issue is deeper. Can I suspend my life, to momentarily venture to that dark place… called Riddick.
Now, I need to hear from Our collective… you.
Wisdom and clarity appreciated.
Clearly on the lookout for some love for working under these conditions, he followed up with another message after reading some of the many responses from fans (which has 73,000+ “likes”):
I have read so many interesting and intelligent responses to today’s post.
You all have such great insight… I truly love Our page.
Thank you again for taking the time to weigh in.
P.s. I am off to another meeting with David, the director of Riddick… to see concept art and discuss the potential schedule.
C’mon Vin, we know you want to make this movie as much as we want you to make it.
As for the story of the film, Riddick will be more reminiscent of Pitch Black in that it’ll take a back-to-basics, more focused approach with Riddick fighting for survival on his own on a desolate and dangerous planet. How does he end up in this situation after becoming the leader of the Necromongers? The Necromonger army turn on him, abandoning him on a planet loaded with dangerous creatures including “trisons” (three-legged bisons) and “mud demons.” There will also be more bounty hunters on his tail so it’ll be interesting to see if Riddick 3 will end the character’s story or allow for the franchise to continue. Here’s the official Riddick 3 plot synopsis:
Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick (Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.
Coming off the incredible success of Fast Five, a film which provided an early start to 2011′s summer film season, there’s no better time than now for the 43 year-old actor to return to one of his other franchises.
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interested to see how this ends, i’m glad he puts his job in front of cash, and that he’s willing to sacrifice a big check in favour of his fans.
also, anyone else think vin’s the right choice for kratos for a god of war movie ?
physically, yea.
I can see it.
physically and his unpleasant voice, i agree.
Looking at his physique in Fast 5, I would like him to get the same guy that got the 300 cast in shape. But yes, he does look like Kratos.
there is a second movie? never heared of this, now there will be a third….
1. Pitch Black
2. Chronicles of Riddick
3. Riddick 3
oh, i didnt see the first one….
Technically this would be 4. There was the anime starring Vin Diesel and other cast members called Dark Fury which filled the gap between Pitch Black and Chronicles. It wasn’t great, but it was still a part of the story.
I remember buying the first two movies really cheap and not expecting too much. They are really interesting, good, movies though and I hope this next one can be too.
he needs another major actor in the movie with him. He’s a good action guy, but he can not carry a movie alone
I loved “Pitch Black” and went through 2 DVDs. I wasn’t a fan of “Chronicles”, I saw it in the theater and maybe a half a time while drinking. I liked the survival, horror aspect of the first and was not a fan of the “savior” story line of the second. Glad they are returning to the roots for the 3rd installment. Hmm, think I will watch “Pitch Black” again today. Haha.
He doesn’t need the money… That’s for sure. I also heard he was doing another XXX, but that was a couple years ago too!
Whatever “scale” is, I am sure you will make the money back the difference with Fast 6 and XXX III.
OH just because he works for scale doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be compensated on the backside if the film is a success. A percentage will be in his contract for sure. Still, it’s a big risk because the film has to financially succeed. Like Campbell once said though; “If you get off the beam to make money, you’ve lost your life.” He’s doing the right thing.
Now I’m hoping this is the right way to go forward because it seems kind of counter to the Necromonger philosophy. If the past is any indication on how the future plays in a given situation look for a schism to be introduced into the story at some point. The Necromonger religion can’t stay whole if it’s tenant beliefs can’t be adhered to. One way or the other story logic demands a split even greater than the one brought on by Riddick’s ascendance to leadership.
I think Beserker has a point, Diesel is much better when he has good actors to play off of. I’m really hoping for an excellent set of new characters that will push the Chronicles into a couple more films. We need to care and want to see those characters fate beyond getting offed at the end of a hairy scene in this movie…
@ Jwalka
Yes he could but I’d vote more for Djimon Hounsou. The Actor from “The Gladiator” movie or “Blood Diamond”.
you do know kratos is a greek spartan right? hes not african american at all…
Kratos is voiced by a black actor and he would be painted in the white ashes of his family so race does not matter just the best actor
good points. tough to find a voice and physical presence to match kratos.
nathan jones is another hulking figure that doesn’t talk much, and has a deep rough voice, just like vin.
djimon honsou doesn’t fit the role that well, i mean he’s a great actor but doesn’t physically look like kratos, or sound like him.
Nathan Jones, lol, the dude is huge and is a fighter , but the guy cant carry two lines, if he had to he is a horrid actor
actually Kratos is voiced by a African American. plus Kratos is already dark skinned before the white ashes cover his body.
he was european, the darkest he would have been is olive skinned (bronzish) not black or brown. and i know he’s voices by a black dude, so what, he doesn’t play the character physically so it doesn’t matter if the guys black, asian or a red neck (i’m talking about the voice acting btw. just b/c someone does the voice of someone/thing doesn’t mean they have to play them irl.
When has that ever mattered in Hollywood?
Does it matter what the ethnic group is of the guy that plays Kratos? How about, who would be best fit for the role. Besides if you ask Vin Diesel what his ethnic background is, he will tell you that he multu-national.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!
Exactly what I was going to say!
I guess the only other thing that I can say is “it’s about damn time!”
I’m with acslaterson on this one.
I loved Pitch Black. It wasn’t “about Riddick”. He was one of the characters.
I was always hoping for an actual “Pitch Black II” instead of a self-glorifying “and here’s a story about one of the characters in an otherwise ensemble piece”.
Return to the planet of Pitch Black, and leave Vin Diesel out of it, I say. He was the least interesting character in the original film.
Are you on a far away planet right now? Riddick was the best character in “Pitch Black” and I can’t wait for more!
Wow, I’m sorry.
I didn’t realize that we weren’t allowed to have an opinion that differed from yours.
I’ll be sure to double-check with you in future before having an opinion of my own.
Ironic.
Don’t see the “irony” here.
Do you know what irony is?
“Oh, irony! We tried irony for a time but since I was the only practitioner, we had to give it up”
Steve Martin from Roxanne
Pitch Black was about Riddick, with lots of other characters appearing in the plot. When the other films/games/etc came out, it wasn’t some strange deviation for them to be about Riddick, they were sticking with the narrative that existed in the first place.
Vin Diesel was the guy who held Pitch Black together, atleast in my opinion he was. But I would really like to see a Pitch Black 2, the whole dark planet thing really made the movie for me, where as ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ was a huge let down.
Agreed, although I disagree with anyone who says Chronicles was a letdown because it was bad. It was a letdown because we wanted Pitch Black 2, which it wasn’t. It was a fine film on its own.
I agree with you Ken the focus moved a little off the pure survival theme, even though it did have a similar setup on Crematoria with a run through the gauntlet of light and heat, instead of darkness, with human predators instead of wild animals. If you’re like me, you realized that Twohy tried to open this universe up a little with this second movie. The first movie was definitely an ensemble film. Vin was a very good casting choice, and it’s very evident he wanted “IT” and was determined to shine. Succeeding films and his dedication to the craft has established him as a workhorse actor. He’s not a DeNiro, Pacino, or a Morgan Freeman but I don’t think Stallone, Statham, or the Rock has anything on him, and that voice will make him remembered for a long time to come. They, Twohy and Diesel, know the character and know how to play to his strengths. Let’s hope they don’t lose sight of what makes this kind of movie great and still have a trick or two to keep us interested…
We wanted more of Pitch Black, but if you (meaning Twohy) are writing the Riddick character as if he’s a real living being, he’s going to end up in random situations, and putting him in a situation like Chronicles only makes sense. No real person would always run into the same situation one after the other.
Pitch Black was a sleeper movie to be sure and the second movie was about Riddick and the only other people who survived the first movie, so it that way it made sense.
The idea of someone running into the same type of situation in this type of movie is pretty much the Ripley effect that people will buy into with these movies up to a point. Another Pitch Black type movie would have turned the series into Alien, which Pitch Black was. That is why is was enjoyable because people like that claustrophobic survival horror set-up.
Now if they keep making movies with the Riddick character running into Alien creature A,B, or C it might make more money but, it will turn into the other franchises pretty fast and probably wear out it’s welcome.
As for Vin taking a pay cut on the front end, it’s both smart and shows he wants to actually make the movie. He can probably get his money on the back end as a producer if it does well and let’s face it he makes money on the Fast and the Furious so he can afford to do something he feels strongly about.
This rocks. I’m a huge Riddick fan. Loved the first movie and the director’s cut of the second movie, and I loved both games. I’m glad to see them going back to the R-rated feel of the first film. But I’m also hoping they don’t overly ignore the storyline set up in the second film.
I do think that Vin can carry a film, at least a Riddick film, but having other great actors alongside him does seem to bring out the best in him. That’s why Pitch Black is as great as it is.
I have been waiting for this….Story sounds good so far. Do it for the fans and love of playing the character.
first 1 sucked, second movie was tight in 04
that mike E. just contradicted himself.
first u were talking about vd not being the least liking character
when he was the most liked character.
speaking of which, read your comments.
then we’ll know who makes anyone “look dumb”.
Sorry if fanboys can’t accept that someone else has a different take on the first film.
I didn’t think Riddick’s character was essential to the first film. A lot of people feel the same way. Doesn’t mean I “hated” his character. I happened to enjoy Chronicles of Riddick as well (despite it being almost universally panned by critics). But I think the first film would have worked just as well without Riddick’s character.
I just really liked the planet of those monsters and would have liked to have seen more of it.
There are no contradictions in anything I’ve said. I said nothing about Riddick’s character being “liked”. I said I found him to be the least “interesting” character in the film. In my opinion, he was an “action film” stereotype, while the balance of the characters in the film were far more interesting. That is *MY* opinion. I’m not talking about anyone else’s opinion or their take on the character.
I didn’t think Riddick’s character was essential to the first film. A lot of people I know feel exactly the same way. That doesn’t mean I (or the people I know) “hated” his character.
I just so happened to really enjoy Chronicles of Riddick as well (despite it being almost universally panned by critics). For a film about THAT character, it worked. To *ME*, in *my opinion*, to which I am entitled as far as I know, Vin Diesel’s character fit fine in Chronicles of Riddick. I’d be just as happy, *in my opinion*, if a “Pitch Black II” were made without his character, *in my opinion*.
I think the first film would have worked just as well without Riddick’s character. I just really liked the planet in the first movie and would have liked to see a return to it in another film… a “Pitch Black II” if you will.
(emphasis added regarding the fact that some posters – whose comments are now deleted, 11 hours later – on this forum do not take kindly to people having opinions which differ from theirs)
I think he was an action film stereotype as presented to us in that first film, but after I saw Chronicles, and the animated movie, and played the games, I really felt like it added more depth to his portrayal in Pitch Black, after the fact. That’s probably kind of a thematic hindsight thing, but I do feel like there’s some element of depth added to the character in Pitch Black, for me anyway, after I processed the other storylines.
I think Mike E. is right. I remember watching Pitch Black and liking it but I didn’t feel it was about Riddick, it was about the people surviving. I also agree that the movie would have been fine without the Riddick character.
I remember seeing CoR in the theaters and not liking it. When I then watched it on TV, I enjoyed it more. I don’t know why though. The same thing happened with The Core.
43? everyone’s getting old!
Can’t wait for 3 , i’ve watched both the first 2 dozen times, especially like the directors cuts on both, a little more insight to why and when things take place.
Biddick Chronicles 3 is most welcome. Vin Diesel, a new hero with recent cinema and design ways of multi-plex cinema theatres with large screens in in enormous pop corn aromatic malls, is a right stalwarthy choice. Continue the way of sturdiness.
While i am soo looking forward to more Riddick,,i have to say,,,i’d watch anything he was in,,,hes a great actor and really gets into the parts he plays,,,when i can come away from a flick and feel like i KNOW the character,,,then he did a great job,,,i wish him nothing but contract after contract after contract,,,,GO VIN!!!
It is finally happening! Patiently waited for years to complete my Riddick DVD collection. Number 2 triggered incredible movie experience and sensations. It was unlike no other movie ever produced. The Riddick character amplifies everything in a man that man wants to improve, enhance and develop. It wakes me up on a deeper genetic level and makes me feel much stronger in every bloody way.
Now with number 3 I simply can’t wait for it to come to theaters and then on DVD. No other movie I’d spent money for the both, theater and DVD. Vin simply never disappoints, hurry up Riddick, our patience running out
Let me start by saying I am a huge Riddick fan and have been waiting for this movie for years. Pitch Black was an awesome movie, and the there was Chronicles. The Director’s cut to that movie is pretty good.
Anyway past that I am so stoked for the third movie to come out!!! I have been waiting, somewhat patiently, for a long time!!!
Ditto.
When will it be in theaters? Been waiting and waiting to see this film. Love the character Riddick. Can’t wait to see this one. Much love. Candy
i think that the 3rd movie should have Riddick going to underverse and finding Keira’s soul and bringing her back, she is what made Riddick look really good in the second one but thats just me
AGREED!!!
My husband and I can’t wait for the movie to come out!!
I can not wait for another riddick film!!!! Vin diesle is a bad ass!!
Some people think that the guy is gay….Is that true?? My x-girlfriend used to give me s*** about that…