After a fifteen year break from the franchise, Vin Diesel returns to the big screen as Xander Cage in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The new sequel sees Cage in a race against Donnie Yen’s Xiang to recover a powerful weapon called Pandora’s Box while—among other extreme stunts—driving a motorcycle on the ocean.

Screen Rant spoke with Diesel at the press day for xXx, where he explained how he tries to make the characters of Cage and Dom (from The Fast and the Furious movies) distinct from one another. He also shares his thoughts on Marvel’s decision to make an Inhumans TV instead of a movie, and hints very strongly at a much-anticipated-by-fans meet-up between Groot and the Hulk. Could Groot be making an appearance in Thor: Ragnarok?

What separates Xander Cage from Dom Toretto from The Fast and the Furious?

Vin Diesel: Good question, and something that I’m very conscious of. Well, first of all, Dom Toretto is someone who has a weight about him. He might not think that the world is in such great shape, and it affects him differently. He’s someone that wakes up every morning thinking about how to protect his family from a world that he may not have a whole lot of faith in. He’s much more dire; he’s been dealt a harsher hand; and he might not allow himself to have the type of fun Xander allows himself to have.

Now, Xander on the other hand, is someone that will smile whenever he can. Xander’s the kind of person that will find the thrill in every moment in life. Xander’s the kind of person that is unapologetically fun. Xander is someone who has a confidence about himself, and refuses to take the world too seriously.

Vin Diesel in xXx Return of Xander Cage

He has that swag.

Vin Diesel: And my God, that Xander swagger is all the way up.

Is there a chance we could see Darius [Ice Cube] and Xander team up for a future installment of xXx?

Vin Diesel: Well, I think those that have seen this movie will have an interesting perspective on that.

I have a question about The Inhumans, actually. Now, I know that’s a TV show, and you’ve been long attached to it. What are your thoughts on it now, in the process?

Vin Diesel: I think Marvel should never—I don’t think Marvel should abandon their opportunity to make a film out of it. I think it could be a huge, huge saga, and if I had more time I would go over to Marvel and have that very conversation. But I think it would be a big mistake for Marvel to abandon their ambitions or their objective or their goals of making it into a film, because it would make such a cool universe.

And then last question, people are loving Baby Groot. What can we expect out of Groot in Infinity War, and which Avenger are you most excited to share the screen with?

Vin Diesel: Good question. I’m excited about Baby Groot; he’s just too fun. And in Infinity War, I have to talk to the Russo brothers and find out how this is all gonna go down. I know somewhere in the Marvel universe there is a moment when you will see Groot and Hulk have a few words.

[laughs] A few words!

Vin Diesel: I think there’s gonna be a moment that we’re all waiting for, and whether you know it or not, you are waiting to see Groot and the Hulk get down.

Key Release Dates

  • xXx: Return of Xander Cage Poster
    xXx 3
    Release Date:
    2017-01-20