Veteran producer Simon Kinberg, who oversaw most of the “X-Men” movies for 20th Century Fox, is in talks to produce an upcoming “Star Trek” movie for Paramount Pictures, Variety has confirmed.
The project has already been in development at the studio for some time, with Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) handing the screenplay and Toby Haynes on board to direct. Insiders say the film is intended as an origin story for the main timeline of the “Star Trek” franchise, set in the aftermath of humanity’s first contact with aliens.
Kinberg started his career as a screenwriter, penning 2005’s “XXX: State of the Union” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” before joining the “X-Men” franchise as a co-screenwriter of 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” He transitioned to producing every subsequent “X-Men” film, and he made his directorial debut with the final movie in the franchise, 2019’s “Dark Phoenix.” He...
The project has already been in development at the studio for some time, with Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) handing the screenplay and Toby Haynes on board to direct. Insiders say the film is intended as an origin story for the main timeline of the “Star Trek” franchise, set in the aftermath of humanity’s first contact with aliens.
Kinberg started his career as a screenwriter, penning 2005’s “XXX: State of the Union” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” before joining the “X-Men” franchise as a co-screenwriter of 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” He transitioned to producing every subsequent “X-Men” film, and he made his directorial debut with the final movie in the franchise, 2019’s “Dark Phoenix.” He...
- 5/21/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Masuimi Max‘s cause of death has been revealed.
The model and actress, who posed for outlets like Playboy and Maxim, died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and cocaine, TMZ reported on Wednesday (March 6).
The death has officially been ruled an accident more than a month after she was discovered dead in her home in the Las Vegas area on January 25, per law enforcement.
Keep reading to find out more…
At the time, police said they did not suspect foul play, but an investigation was conducted regardless.
Masuimi‘s modeling career began in the early 2000s, and she also starred in productions like Cornman: American Vegetable Hero and Giantess Battle Attack.
She would later appear alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Ice Cube in the 2005 movie xXx: State of the Union, playing rapper Xzibit‘s character’s girlfriend.
Her most recent credit was in 2023 for an indie horror movie, titled Protege Moi,...
The model and actress, who posed for outlets like Playboy and Maxim, died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and cocaine, TMZ reported on Wednesday (March 6).
The death has officially been ruled an accident more than a month after she was discovered dead in her home in the Las Vegas area on January 25, per law enforcement.
Keep reading to find out more…
At the time, police said they did not suspect foul play, but an investigation was conducted regardless.
Masuimi‘s modeling career began in the early 2000s, and she also starred in productions like Cornman: American Vegetable Hero and Giantess Battle Attack.
She would later appear alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Ice Cube in the 2005 movie xXx: State of the Union, playing rapper Xzibit‘s character’s girlfriend.
Her most recent credit was in 2023 for an indie horror movie, titled Protege Moi,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
James Bond movie Die Another Day used CG for a key effect in the movie – and director Lee Tamahori has been reflecting on it.
Die Another Day, released in 2002, was the 20th James Bond film, the final outing in the tuxedo for Pierce Brosnan, and a massive hit at the time. A rare 007 outing directed by a non-British filmmaker, Lee Tamahori, its opening in particular strongly hinted at the darker direction that James Bond would take in the years ahead.
But also, the movie is known for some of its less realistic-feeling moments. There’s the invisible car of course, which is explained in the film and has its basis in actual technology, but still feels daft. And then there’s the moment where Bond goes very CG.
Lee Tamahori joined the SpyHards podcast just before Christmas, and I’ve just caught up with the episode now. It’s a really interesting chat too,...
Die Another Day, released in 2002, was the 20th James Bond film, the final outing in the tuxedo for Pierce Brosnan, and a massive hit at the time. A rare 007 outing directed by a non-British filmmaker, Lee Tamahori, its opening in particular strongly hinted at the darker direction that James Bond would take in the years ahead.
But also, the movie is known for some of its less realistic-feeling moments. There’s the invisible car of course, which is explained in the film and has its basis in actual technology, but still feels daft. And then there’s the moment where Bond goes very CG.
Lee Tamahori joined the SpyHards podcast just before Christmas, and I’ve just caught up with the episode now. It’s a really interesting chat too,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Since his breakthrough 1994 feature Once Were Warriors, a troubling and fiery coming-of-age story indie set in New Zealand’s Maōri community, Lee Tamahori has almost exclusively resided in the realm of pulpy B-grade action cinema. From directing Pierce Brosnan’s final Bond in Die Another Day to Ice Cube in XXX: State of the Union to making a Guy Ritchie-lite actioner about Saddam Hussein’s son (The Devil’s Double), Tamahori has a strong familiarity with cheesy espionage plotlines and passable entertainment. Both sides of Tamahori’s filmography come together in his latest historical epic The Convert––results are expectedly mixed.
Presented in a decidedly prestige manner with sweeping camerawork and a plotline that decides to burn slow in building the relationships of its characters, The Convert tells of John Munro (Guy Pearce), a British preacher who is brought to the settlement of Epworth to help serve the community of settlers there.
Presented in a decidedly prestige manner with sweeping camerawork and a plotline that decides to burn slow in building the relationships of its characters, The Convert tells of John Munro (Guy Pearce), a British preacher who is brought to the settlement of Epworth to help serve the community of settlers there.
- 9/25/2023
- by Soham Gadre
- The Film Stage
New Zealand-born director Lee Tamahori has dabbled in big-budget Hollywood film-making as well as more intimately-scaled films exploring his Māori heritage. So he brings both skills to bear in his sweeping, early 19th-century period drama about Māori conflict— ostensibly crafting a founding myth for New Zealand.
Continue reading ‘The Convert’ Review: Guy Pearce Stars In Lee Tamahori’s Stunning, Sweeping & Action-Packed Historical Epic [TIFF] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Convert’ Review: Guy Pearce Stars In Lee Tamahori’s Stunning, Sweeping & Action-Packed Historical Epic [TIFF] at The Playlist.
- 9/10/2023
- by Ankit Jhunjhunwala
- The Playlist
There’s an interesting experiment going on over at Max in September, as from the first of the month you’ll be able to find seven AMC+ series streaming for 60 days on the service. If you’ve been dying to check out some of their best shows but just haven’t had access to them, now’s your chance! Max will be streaming Fear the Walking Dead seasons 1-7, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire season one, Dark Winds season one, Gangs of London seasons 1-2, Ride with Norman Reedus seasons 1-5, A Discovery of Witches seasons 1-3, and Killing Eve seasons 1-4.
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
- 9/1/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Mumbai, Aug 25 (Ians) Hollywood star Vin Diesel has shared a throwback photograph with Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone from his trip to India in 2017.
Diesel took to Instagram, where he shared a picture posing in a colourful auto-rickshaw. The actor is seen dressed in a white vest paired with black pants while Deepika wore a colourful dress as she sat next to him on the driver’s seat.
The image is from the time he came to the country to promote their Hollywood actioner ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’.
“So grateful and blessed, to have travelled to so many wonderful countries, like India… and to experience their beautiful cultures… a lucky kid from New York. Haha. All love, Always,” he captioned the image.
‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ is directed by D.J. Caruso. It also stars Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette, Ariadna Gutiérrez, Hermione Corfield,...
Diesel took to Instagram, where he shared a picture posing in a colourful auto-rickshaw. The actor is seen dressed in a white vest paired with black pants while Deepika wore a colourful dress as she sat next to him on the driver’s seat.
The image is from the time he came to the country to promote their Hollywood actioner ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’.
“So grateful and blessed, to have travelled to so many wonderful countries, like India… and to experience their beautiful cultures… a lucky kid from New York. Haha. All love, Always,” he captioned the image.
‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ is directed by D.J. Caruso. It also stars Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette, Ariadna Gutiérrez, Hermione Corfield,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Coming June 8 to Peacock is “Based on a True Story,” a true-crime comedy thriller about a couple (Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina) who decide that getting involved in a murder will somehow save their marriage. All eight episodes will be released at once. This comical look at true crime is sure to entertain audiences, whether they are fans of the genre or not.
Check out the trailer for “Based on a True Story”:
On June 2, Peacock will premiere the new film “Shooting Stars.” The sports movie tells the story of LeBron James and how his high-school team at Akron’s St. Vincent/St. Mary High School became the No. 1 basketball team in the country. Also, how the friendships forged on the court have remained in place throughout the decades that followed.
Watch the “Shooting Stars” trailer:
Four of the five “Bourne” films are set to arrive on the service...
Check out the trailer for “Based on a True Story”:
On June 2, Peacock will premiere the new film “Shooting Stars.” The sports movie tells the story of LeBron James and how his high-school team at Akron’s St. Vincent/St. Mary High School became the No. 1 basketball team in the country. Also, how the friendships forged on the court have remained in place throughout the decades that followed.
Watch the “Shooting Stars” trailer:
Four of the five “Bourne” films are set to arrive on the service...
- 5/30/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
While many may know Vin Diesel as the tank top-wearing, Corona-drinking man that's all about family from the "Fast & Furious" franchise, it's easy to forget that Diesel's reach goes well beyond just one franchise. Diesel has appeared in the MCU, led the "Riddick" series, and will even be in James Cameron's "Avatar: The Way of Water" later this year. But there's another franchise that starred Diesel that launched around the same time as the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
In 2002, just a year after the inaugural film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, "The Fast and the Furious, opened in theaters, another action film called "xXx" came out. Diesel once again teamed up with Rob Cohen and Neal H. Moritz, who directed and produced "The Fast and the Furious," respectively, on the film.
"xXx" would gross 277 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, and spawn two feature-length sequels. But...
In 2002, just a year after the inaugural film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, "The Fast and the Furious, opened in theaters, another action film called "xXx" came out. Diesel once again teamed up with Rob Cohen and Neal H. Moritz, who directed and produced "The Fast and the Furious," respectively, on the film.
"xXx" would gross 277 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, and spawn two feature-length sequels. But...
- 9/12/2022
- by Andrew Korpan
- Slash Film
Fans of “Felicity,” or at least those who watched or rewatched the beloved and very ’90s WB series during the pandemic, might be surprised to find Scott Speedman in not one, but two places on the big screen this summer.
First, while Neon’s marketing didn’t even suggest a cameo from the actor, Speedman really should have had top-adjacent billing in David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future” as leader of a cell of evolutionists repurposing plastic as food for humans and evolving organs to be able to consume such plastics. Meanwhile, in Lena Dunham’s new feature “Sharp Stick,” out July 29, Speedman plays Vance Leroy, the object of the sexually precocious Sarah Jo’s (Kristine Froseth) coming-of-age obsession.
Call it a Speedman-aissance? The British-born, Silverlake-residing actor doesn’t mind the term, especially since in the last year the actor formerly known as mercurial lothario Ben on J.J. Abrams...
First, while Neon’s marketing didn’t even suggest a cameo from the actor, Speedman really should have had top-adjacent billing in David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future” as leader of a cell of evolutionists repurposing plastic as food for humans and evolving organs to be able to consume such plastics. Meanwhile, in Lena Dunham’s new feature “Sharp Stick,” out July 29, Speedman plays Vance Leroy, the object of the sexually precocious Sarah Jo’s (Kristine Froseth) coming-of-age obsession.
Call it a Speedman-aissance? The British-born, Silverlake-residing actor doesn’t mind the term, especially since in the last year the actor formerly known as mercurial lothario Ben on J.J. Abrams...
- 7/27/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The action feature is set in 1830s New Zealand.
Guy Pearce has signed to star in Lee Tamahori’s The Convert which UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment will introduce to international buyers at Cannes this month.
The action feature will shoot later this year.
It is co-produced by Auckland-based Jump Film & Television and Australia’s Brouhaha Entertainment. It follows a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand where his violent past is drawn into question and his faith is put to the test when he’s caught in the middle of a war between Māori tribes.
Guy Pearce has signed to star in Lee Tamahori’s The Convert which UK sales outfit Mister Smith Entertainment will introduce to international buyers at Cannes this month.
The action feature will shoot later this year.
It is co-produced by Auckland-based Jump Film & Television and Australia’s Brouhaha Entertainment. It follows a lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand where his violent past is drawn into question and his faith is put to the test when he’s caught in the middle of a war between Māori tribes.
- 5/6/2022
- by Melissa Kasule
- ScreenDaily
Chinese online ticketing platform Weying Galaxy alleges it got taken for a ride in a deal for new movies in the Vin Diesel-starring xXx film franchise. The company has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court looking for punitive damages and the ability to take control of a joint venture that now owns derivative rights.
According to the complaint, Weying had the opportunity in 2017 to buy from Revolution Studios the rights to new films in the action franchise that had generated the original 2002 movie plus xXx: State of the Union and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The counterparty was The H ...
According to the complaint, Weying had the opportunity in 2017 to buy from Revolution Studios the rights to new films in the action franchise that had generated the original 2002 movie plus xXx: State of the Union and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The counterparty was The H ...
- 10/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Chinese online ticketing platform Weying Galaxy alleges it got taken for a ride in a deal for new movies in the Vin Diesel-starring xXx film franchise. The company has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court looking for punitive damages and the ability to take control of a joint venture that now owns derivative rights.
According to the complaint, Weying had the opportunity in 2017 to buy from Revolution Studios the rights to new films in the action franchise that had generated the original 2002 movie plus xXx: State of the Union and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The counterparty was The H ...
According to the complaint, Weying had the opportunity in 2017 to buy from Revolution Studios the rights to new films in the action franchise that had generated the original 2002 movie plus xXx: State of the Union and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The counterparty was The H ...
- 10/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Geoff Murphy, a leading figure in the New Zealand movie industry in the 1970s and ’80s who also helmed such Hollywood fare as Young Guns II and Freejack and was second-unit director on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has died. He was 80. Murphy’s death was confirmed by The New Zealand Herald.
His directing credits also include Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Never Say Die , Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu and The Quiet Earth, for which he won Best Director at the 1987 New Zealand Film and TV Awards. He also was second-unit helmer on such films as xXx: State of the Union and Dante’s Peak. Murphy also produced more than a half-dozen of the films he worked on.
Murphy was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film in 2014 and previously had been named as an Arts Icon by the Arts Foundation, which...
His directing credits also include Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Never Say Die , Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu and The Quiet Earth, for which he won Best Director at the 1987 New Zealand Film and TV Awards. He also was second-unit helmer on such films as xXx: State of the Union and Dante’s Peak. Murphy also produced more than a half-dozen of the films he worked on.
Murphy was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film in 2014 and previously had been named as an Arts Icon by the Arts Foundation, which...
- 12/4/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Taiwanese artist Jay Chou, who made his Hollywood film debut starring opposite Seth Rogen in Sony’s The Green Hornet, has joined Vin Diesel for xXx 4, the next installment in the franchise which is being directed by D.J. Caruso.
The pic is set up at Diesel’s One Race Films and The H Collective as both companies acquired the rights to the franchise from Revolution Studios.
Chinese actress Zoe Zhang also co-stars in the film that will see Diesel return as Xander Cage. The previous three films have a total worldwide box office tally of $694+ million. Production will commence sometime next year.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel and Samantha Vincent on behalf of The H Collective.
The H Collective will finance the pic alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures,...
The pic is set up at Diesel’s One Race Films and The H Collective as both companies acquired the rights to the franchise from Revolution Studios.
Chinese actress Zoe Zhang also co-stars in the film that will see Diesel return as Xander Cage. The previous three films have a total worldwide box office tally of $694+ million. Production will commence sometime next year.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel and Samantha Vincent on behalf of The H Collective.
The H Collective will finance the pic alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures,...
- 11/21/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Musician and actor Jay Chou is joining Vin Diesel in the fourth “xXx” movie, with D.J. Caruso directing for the H Collective.
Diesel is reprising his role as Xander Cage — an extreme sports enthusiast and reluctant spy for the National Security Agency. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films, and the H Collective. Chinese actress Zoe Zhang (“Chinese Zodiac”), a frequent collaborator with Jackie Chan, also joined the cast.
The H Collective said Tuesday that it will finance “xXx 4” alongside several investment partners, including Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures, Dadi Huarui, Star League Media, and Fulcrum Management Co. Production is slated to begin in 2019.
The “xXx” franchise, which includes 2002’s “xXx,” 2005’s “xXx: State of the Union,” and 2017’s “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box office. In 2017, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” generated $168 million in China.
Diesel is reprising his role as Xander Cage — an extreme sports enthusiast and reluctant spy for the National Security Agency. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films, and the H Collective. Chinese actress Zoe Zhang (“Chinese Zodiac”), a frequent collaborator with Jackie Chan, also joined the cast.
The H Collective said Tuesday that it will finance “xXx 4” alongside several investment partners, including Sparkle Roll Media, iQiyi Pictures, Dadi Huarui, Star League Media, and Fulcrum Management Co. Production is slated to begin in 2019.
The “xXx” franchise, which includes 2002’s “xXx,” 2005’s “xXx: State of the Union,” and 2017’s “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box office. In 2017, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” generated $168 million in China.
- 11/21/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Vin Diesel’s One Race Film have teamed up with the H Collective to acquire the rights to the xXx film franchise from Revolution studios; plans are in place to start work on the fourth instalment.
Although One Race and the H Collective now own the rights to take the franchise forward, Revolution remains the owner of the first three films.
The fourth in the franchise, which is due to start filming in December, sees xXx: Return of Xander Cage director, D.J. Caruso return to take the helm. Diesel will also return to his role as Xander Cage. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and the H Collective.
Also in the news – Domhnall Gleeson in final talks to star in female comic adaptation The Kitchen
The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley said, “During my time at Paramount I was lucky to...
Although One Race and the H Collective now own the rights to take the franchise forward, Revolution remains the owner of the first three films.
The fourth in the franchise, which is due to start filming in December, sees xXx: Return of Xander Cage director, D.J. Caruso return to take the helm. Diesel will also return to his role as Xander Cage. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and the H Collective.
Also in the news – Domhnall Gleeson in final talks to star in female comic adaptation The Kitchen
The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley said, “During my time at Paramount I was lucky to...
- 4/18/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Production on Vin Deisel’s fourth installment of “xXx” is slated to go into production this December as DJ Caruso also returns as director, it was announced Tuesday.
Diesel and The H Collective have also purchased full franchise rights from Revolution Studios. Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and The H Collective.
Also Read: 'xXx 4' to Lead Slate of New Movie Production, Financing Firm The H Collective
The “xXx” franchise, which includes “xXx,” “xXx: State of the Union,” and “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.
The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley said: “During my time at Paramount I was lucky to be involved in the development and distribution of xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The response from the Chinese box office was unprecedented. Bringing the next installment of the xXx franchise to The H Collective complements our diversified slate and mission to produce content for a global audience.”
Diesel has starred in and produced the five highest-grossing films in the massively successful “Fast” franchise. He voices ‘Groot’ in both the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and will also appear in Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War” this April.
Also Read: 'XXX' Director Rob Cohen Sets Female Superhero Film 'Razor' as Next Project
Caruso directed the franchise’s previous installment “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and is best known for his work on DreamWork’s thriller “Eagle Eye” starring Shia Labeouf and Michelle Monaghan, as well as “I am Number Four” for Touchstone Pictures and “Disturbia” for Paramount. His TV credits include “The Shield” for FX which earned two Golden Globe wins.
The H Collective, who will finance “xXx 4” alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, Hch Media, Dadi Cinema, and Angeleno Studio, is currently in production on an Untitled Horror Feature produced by James Gunn starring Elizabeth Banks and is also in post-production on Christopher Cantwell’s “The Parts You Lose.”
Diesel is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Caruso is represented by CAA and Media Talent Group.
Read original story ‘xXx 4’ in Works With Vin Diesel to Star, DJ Caruso Back as Director At TheWrap...
Diesel and The H Collective have also purchased full franchise rights from Revolution Studios. Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and The H Collective.
Also Read: 'xXx 4' to Lead Slate of New Movie Production, Financing Firm The H Collective
The “xXx” franchise, which includes “xXx,” “xXx: State of the Union,” and “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” has collectively grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box-office.
The H Collective CEO Nic Crawley said: “During my time at Paramount I was lucky to be involved in the development and distribution of xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The response from the Chinese box office was unprecedented. Bringing the next installment of the xXx franchise to The H Collective complements our diversified slate and mission to produce content for a global audience.”
Diesel has starred in and produced the five highest-grossing films in the massively successful “Fast” franchise. He voices ‘Groot’ in both the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films and will also appear in Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War” this April.
Also Read: 'XXX' Director Rob Cohen Sets Female Superhero Film 'Razor' as Next Project
Caruso directed the franchise’s previous installment “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and is best known for his work on DreamWork’s thriller “Eagle Eye” starring Shia Labeouf and Michelle Monaghan, as well as “I am Number Four” for Touchstone Pictures and “Disturbia” for Paramount. His TV credits include “The Shield” for FX which earned two Golden Globe wins.
The H Collective, who will finance “xXx 4” alongside investment partners including Sparkle Roll Media, Hch Media, Dadi Cinema, and Angeleno Studio, is currently in production on an Untitled Horror Feature produced by James Gunn starring Elizabeth Banks and is also in post-production on Christopher Cantwell’s “The Parts You Lose.”
Diesel is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Caruso is represented by CAA and Media Talent Group.
Read original story ‘xXx 4’ in Works With Vin Diesel to Star, DJ Caruso Back as Director At TheWrap...
- 4/17/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
The H Collective and Vin Diesel’s One Race Films have acquired rights from Revolution Studios to the “xXx” film franchise and plan to begin shooting the fourth film in December.
Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films. D.J. Caruso, who directed “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” will return to direct “xXx 4” with Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and the H Collective.
The companies made the announcement Tuesday. Diesel had said in early 2017 at the “Return of Xander Cage” premiere in London that Paramount execs had expressed interest in the fourth movie, but those plans were never solidified.
Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films. D.J. Caruso, who directed “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” will return to direct “xXx 4” with Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage. Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce with Diesel, Samantha Vincent for One Race Films and the H Collective.
The companies made the announcement Tuesday. Diesel had said in early 2017 at the “Return of Xander Cage” premiere in London that Paramount execs had expressed interest in the fourth movie, but those plans were never solidified.
- 4/17/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Production on fourth entry in action franchise scheduled to begin in December.
The H Collective, Vin Diesel and his One Race Films have acquired rights from Revolution Studios to the xXx franchise and have lined up the fourth film in the action series.
Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films. D.J. Caruso, who directed xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, I Am Number Four, and Disturbia, will return to direct xXx 4 with Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage.
The role of Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete hired to work for the government, was first seen...
The H Collective, Vin Diesel and his One Race Films have acquired rights from Revolution Studios to the xXx franchise and have lined up the fourth film in the action series.
Revolution Studios retains its rights to the first three films. D.J. Caruso, who directed xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, I Am Number Four, and Disturbia, will return to direct xXx 4 with Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage.
The role of Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete hired to work for the government, was first seen...
- 4/17/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Vin Diesel has reportedly pulled out of his XXX comeback.
The action man is no longer attached to XXX : The Return of Xander Cage, according to website CineFools.com.
Diesel's departure follows news director Rob Cohen quit the project this summer and was replaced by little-known moviemaker Ericson Core.
MovieHole.net reports Diesel had been training for the film since August. Details about the reasons for his departure have not been released.
Diesel initially agreed to return to the XXX franchise after rapper/actor Ice Cube played the lead in xXx 2: State of The Union.
The action man is no longer attached to XXX : The Return of Xander Cage, according to website CineFools.com.
Diesel's departure follows news director Rob Cohen quit the project this summer and was replaced by little-known moviemaker Ericson Core.
MovieHole.net reports Diesel had been training for the film since August. Details about the reasons for his departure have not been released.
Diesel initially agreed to return to the XXX franchise after rapper/actor Ice Cube played the lead in xXx 2: State of The Union.
- 10/17/2009
- WENN
Ericson Core has signed to helm "XXX: The Return of Xander Cage," Columbia's third installment in the action franchise. Neal Moritz and Joe Roth are producing.
Vin Diesel is reprising the role of the extreme sports athlete-turned-government operative he originated in the 2002 movie directed by Rob Cohen. Diesel and Cohen skipped the 2005 sequel, "XXX: State of the Union," which starred Ice Cube and was helmed by Lee Tamahori.
Last year, Diesel and Cohen agreed to reteam for the new installment, but in June, Cohen segued to helm "Medieval" for Regency.
Columbia went on the hunt for a helmer, who also had to get the Ok from Diesel. Diesel has worked with Core before, though not under an actor-director relationship; Core, a cinematographer-turned-director, worked as Dp on Diesel's 2001 flick "The Fast and the Furious."
John Brancato and Michael Ferris ("Terminator Salvation") wrote the script for "Xander Cage." It involves Cage's return...
Vin Diesel is reprising the role of the extreme sports athlete-turned-government operative he originated in the 2002 movie directed by Rob Cohen. Diesel and Cohen skipped the 2005 sequel, "XXX: State of the Union," which starred Ice Cube and was helmed by Lee Tamahori.
Last year, Diesel and Cohen agreed to reteam for the new installment, but in June, Cohen segued to helm "Medieval" for Regency.
Columbia went on the hunt for a helmer, who also had to get the Ok from Diesel. Diesel has worked with Core before, though not under an actor-director relationship; Core, a cinematographer-turned-director, worked as Dp on Diesel's 2001 flick "The Fast and the Furious."
John Brancato and Michael Ferris ("Terminator Salvation") wrote the script for "Xander Cage." It involves Cage's return...
- 8/25/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Action movie star Vin Diesel is set to make another XXX movie, returning to the franchise he ditched after the first film.
Diesel and original director Rob Cohen - who both sat out of 2005 sequel XXX: State of the Union - are in talks to reunite for a new film, XXX: The Return of Xander Cage.
The writing team responsible for Terminator 3 has been handed the job of creating a script, while filming is expected to begin early next year.
Diesel and original director Rob Cohen - who both sat out of 2005 sequel XXX: State of the Union - are in talks to reunite for a new film, XXX: The Return of Xander Cage.
The writing team responsible for Terminator 3 has been handed the job of creating a script, while filming is expected to begin early next year.
- 11/18/2008
- WENN
Chris Johnson has landed a lead role on ABC's comedy pilot The More Things Change ... for director Todd Phillips.
Meanwhile, Beth Riesgraf and Gina Bellman have joined the TNT drama pilot Leverage, to be directed by Dean Devlin.
Change, from Regency TV and writer Allan Loeb, is a single-camera comedy about a quartet of male friends who explore how male friendships endure through change. Johnson will play one of the four men. His character, Rick, is a young man who suddenly has an astounding revelation in his life that turns his friendships upside down.
Johnson's credits include the feature XXX: State of the Union and the UPN series South Beach. He is repped by APA and Luber/Roklin Management.
Leverage, written by John Rogers and Chris Downey, centers on Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton), a former insurance investigator-turned-thief who is the brains behind a team of accomplished hooligans and high-tech outlaws.
Riesgraf (Showtime's pilot Insatiable) will play Parker, an accomplished burglar who exudes dorkiness, eccentricity and sexuality.
Meanwhile, Beth Riesgraf and Gina Bellman have joined the TNT drama pilot Leverage, to be directed by Dean Devlin.
Change, from Regency TV and writer Allan Loeb, is a single-camera comedy about a quartet of male friends who explore how male friendships endure through change. Johnson will play one of the four men. His character, Rick, is a young man who suddenly has an astounding revelation in his life that turns his friendships upside down.
Johnson's credits include the feature XXX: State of the Union and the UPN series South Beach. He is repped by APA and Luber/Roklin Management.
Leverage, written by John Rogers and Chris Downey, centers on Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton), a former insurance investigator-turned-thief who is the brains behind a team of accomplished hooligans and high-tech outlaws.
Riesgraf (Showtime's pilot Insatiable) will play Parker, an accomplished burglar who exudes dorkiness, eccentricity and sexuality.
- 11/26/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With XXX: State of the Union, a follow-up to the original XXX, its producers have clearly positioned the action-thriller franchise as a film series with a twist: Its death-defying protagonist will change with every new movie, thus allowing the filmmakers to build each episode around the personality of that actor. While State of the Union shows little interest in challenging the extreme stunts of the first Vin Diesel movie, guest star Ice Cube is a much more ingratiating and amusing personality, so the movie has a better balance between its implausible stunts and characters.
The movie, directed by James Bond refugee Lee Tamahori, should draw at least some of the action fans that made the first film a $276.8 million worldwide success. Plus, Ice Cube gives the film street cred, so it should bring in an even greater urban audience.
State of the Union is a throwback. The hero uses no martial arts; he simply slugs it out with opponents until he prevails. Vehicle mayhem and explosions are emphasized over CGI. And writer Simon Kinberg deploys racial humor and political situations that feel a tad antique.
Indeed this alternate reality of the current state of our union, channeled from John Frankenheimer's Seven Days in May, imagines a popular sitting U.S. president (a stiff Peter Strauss) determined to cut military spending and a renegade Secretary of Defense (Willem Dafoe, almost as stiff) willing to stage a coup to thwart that ambition.
A raid on the National Security Agency's top-secret Virginia headquarters results in many dead agents, but the prize, Samuel L. Jackson's agent Augustus Gibbons, returning from the first film, escapes. Suddenly, Gibbons needs a new Agent XXX -- that last one died, someone says -- to get to the bottom of this home-grown terrorism. Only his choice, ex-Special Ops soldier Darius Stone (Ice Cube), is in military prison.
You would think a top NSA agent could snap his fingers and his man would be released, but then you wouldn't understand the action requirements of "XXX" movies. Darius must escape his high-security lock-up through fights, chases, rooftop leaps and a helicopter rescue.
Once inside the Beltway, the world shrinks to the point where all the characters have a past with one another. The Defense Secretary is the guy responsible for having Darius imprisoned (for breaking his jaw). Augustus and Secretary Deckert have also clashed previously, creating no little animosity between them. And Darius instinctively seeks help from an old flame, Lola (the spectacular Nona Gaye), an improbably chop-shop operator who runs an equally improbable car-theft ring just down the street from the White House.
Darius and gadget expert Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), another returnee from XXX, gradually uncover a plot against the U.S. government. Yet Deckert and his nasty toady, FBI agent Kyle Steele (Scott Speedman), seem two or three steps ahead of the heroes, while a beautiful senatorial aide named Charlie (Sunny Mabrey) switches sides more often than a politician in an election year. Essentially, the film comes down to Ice Cube's line that the fate of the Free World lies in the hands of "a bunch of hustlers and thieves."
Ice Cube's burly physique -- more that of a tenacious linebacker than a quick-responding half back -- makes for a different kind of action hero. Surly stares and glowering cynicism replace the bon mots of the more suave international spies of moviedom. But Ice Cube certainly has his own brand of cool that covers up the widest plot holes and lamest stabs at humor. Jackson gives the film an indispensable whiff of reality, but apparently Dafoe has run out of ways of making villains interesting.
Tamahori, who showed promise as an eclectic and edgy director early in his career, now seems content to guide large-scale, impersonal Hollywood productions to the screen. At least he's getting good at that game. State of the Union is a smooth blend of visual special effects, exceptional stunts, fluid photography, sharp design and a possible best-selling soundtrack into a boxoffice package.
I'm taking bets now, though: The next Agent XXX will be a woman.
XXX: STATE OF THE UNION
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents an Original Film production
Credits:
Director: Lee Tamahori
Screenwriter: Simon Kinberg
Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Arne L. Schmidt
Executive producers: Todd Garner, Rob Cohen, Derek Dauchy
Director of photography: David Tattersall
Production designer: Gavin Bocquet
Music: Marco Beltrami
Costumes: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Editors: Mark Goldblatt, Steven Rosenbaum, Todd E. Miller
Cast:
Darius Stone: Ice Cube
Agent Gibbons: Samuel L. Jackson
Gen. Deckert: Willem Dafoe
Agent Steele: Scott Speedman
President Sanford: Peter Strauss
Zeke: Xzbit
Toby Lee Shavers: Michael Roof
Charlie: Sunny Mabrey
Lola: Nona Gaye
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 100 minutes...
The movie, directed by James Bond refugee Lee Tamahori, should draw at least some of the action fans that made the first film a $276.8 million worldwide success. Plus, Ice Cube gives the film street cred, so it should bring in an even greater urban audience.
State of the Union is a throwback. The hero uses no martial arts; he simply slugs it out with opponents until he prevails. Vehicle mayhem and explosions are emphasized over CGI. And writer Simon Kinberg deploys racial humor and political situations that feel a tad antique.
Indeed this alternate reality of the current state of our union, channeled from John Frankenheimer's Seven Days in May, imagines a popular sitting U.S. president (a stiff Peter Strauss) determined to cut military spending and a renegade Secretary of Defense (Willem Dafoe, almost as stiff) willing to stage a coup to thwart that ambition.
A raid on the National Security Agency's top-secret Virginia headquarters results in many dead agents, but the prize, Samuel L. Jackson's agent Augustus Gibbons, returning from the first film, escapes. Suddenly, Gibbons needs a new Agent XXX -- that last one died, someone says -- to get to the bottom of this home-grown terrorism. Only his choice, ex-Special Ops soldier Darius Stone (Ice Cube), is in military prison.
You would think a top NSA agent could snap his fingers and his man would be released, but then you wouldn't understand the action requirements of "XXX" movies. Darius must escape his high-security lock-up through fights, chases, rooftop leaps and a helicopter rescue.
Once inside the Beltway, the world shrinks to the point where all the characters have a past with one another. The Defense Secretary is the guy responsible for having Darius imprisoned (for breaking his jaw). Augustus and Secretary Deckert have also clashed previously, creating no little animosity between them. And Darius instinctively seeks help from an old flame, Lola (the spectacular Nona Gaye), an improbably chop-shop operator who runs an equally improbable car-theft ring just down the street from the White House.
Darius and gadget expert Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), another returnee from XXX, gradually uncover a plot against the U.S. government. Yet Deckert and his nasty toady, FBI agent Kyle Steele (Scott Speedman), seem two or three steps ahead of the heroes, while a beautiful senatorial aide named Charlie (Sunny Mabrey) switches sides more often than a politician in an election year. Essentially, the film comes down to Ice Cube's line that the fate of the Free World lies in the hands of "a bunch of hustlers and thieves."
Ice Cube's burly physique -- more that of a tenacious linebacker than a quick-responding half back -- makes for a different kind of action hero. Surly stares and glowering cynicism replace the bon mots of the more suave international spies of moviedom. But Ice Cube certainly has his own brand of cool that covers up the widest plot holes and lamest stabs at humor. Jackson gives the film an indispensable whiff of reality, but apparently Dafoe has run out of ways of making villains interesting.
Tamahori, who showed promise as an eclectic and edgy director early in his career, now seems content to guide large-scale, impersonal Hollywood productions to the screen. At least he's getting good at that game. State of the Union is a smooth blend of visual special effects, exceptional stunts, fluid photography, sharp design and a possible best-selling soundtrack into a boxoffice package.
I'm taking bets now, though: The next Agent XXX will be a woman.
XXX: STATE OF THE UNION
Columbia Pictures
Revolution Studios presents an Original Film production
Credits:
Director: Lee Tamahori
Screenwriter: Simon Kinberg
Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Arne L. Schmidt
Executive producers: Todd Garner, Rob Cohen, Derek Dauchy
Director of photography: David Tattersall
Production designer: Gavin Bocquet
Music: Marco Beltrami
Costumes: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Editors: Mark Goldblatt, Steven Rosenbaum, Todd E. Miller
Cast:
Darius Stone: Ice Cube
Agent Gibbons: Samuel L. Jackson
Gen. Deckert: Willem Dafoe
Agent Steele: Scott Speedman
President Sanford: Peter Strauss
Zeke: Xzbit
Toby Lee Shavers: Michael Roof
Charlie: Sunny Mabrey
Lola: Nona Gaye
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 100 minutes...
- 5/20/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The vicissitudes of the film business were dramatically highlighted this past weekend when Sony-Revolution Studios' massive worldwide day-and-date release of the highly touted XXX: State of the Union pulled in only $15.5 million as part of its overseas bow. With about 5,000 screens working in 65 territories, the action thriller starring Ice Cube was the weekend's leading offshore boxoffice draw, but it was hardly a match for Disney-Spyglass' less-heralded The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, which took in an impressive $8.5 million from 735 screens in only three countries (United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand). XXX's disappointing kickoff came at a lingering slow boxoffice period at home and abroad, delaying expectations for the spark to set off the industry's version of the summer blockbuster season. Prospects have now turned to Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven, which 20th Century Fox is scheduled to unleash this coming weekend in nearly 100 overseas territories in a giant day-and-date opening with North America.
It was the race that wasn't. With just two new wide releases hitting theaters this past weekend, Buena Vista's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy took first place as it beamed up a stellar $21.1 million to best the third-place finish and lackluster $12.7 million racked up by Sony's XXX: State of the Union. Heading into the weekend, early tracking indicated the two films were in a neck-and-neck race for the top spot, but in the end it was the cosmic Hitchhiker that easily won the day. Last weekend's boxoffice champ, Universal's The Interpreter, held tight in the second spot with a moderate drop of 39% on its sophomore session. The Sydney Pollack-helmed political thriller grossed $13.8 million, which takes the 10-day cume to $43.2 million. Industry observers had been quietly optimistic that the release of Hitchhiker and XXX would spark the interest of moviegoers this past weekend and would help snap the business out of its nine-week drought -- but that wasn't the case. The total boxoffice for the 122 films tracked by The Hollywood Reporter was $90.3 million -- down some 12% from the comparable frame last year and consequently marking the 10th consecutive down session.
The vicissitudes of the film business were dramatically highlighted this past weekend when Sony-Revolution Studios' massive worldwide day-and-date release of the highly touted XXX: State of the Union pulled in only $15.5 million as part of its overseas bow. With about 5,000 screens working in 65 territories, the action thriller starring Ice Cube was the weekend's leading offshore boxoffice draw, but it was hardly a match for Disney-Spyglass' less-heralded The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, which took in an impressive $8.5 million from 735 screens in only three countries (United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand). XXX's disappointing kickoff came at a lingering slow boxoffice period at home and abroad, delaying expectations for the spark to set off the industry's version of the summer blockbuster season. Prospects have now turned to Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven, which 20th Century Fox is scheduled to unleash this coming weekend in nearly 100 overseas territories in a giant day-and-date opening with North America.
SYDNEY -- Hot weather hampered the weekend boxoffice for XXX: State of the Union but not as much as competition from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Interpreter and The Pacifier, which gave the action sequel a soft opening and kept it at No. 2 in most European venues. From just three territories, Hitchhiker took an estimated $8.3 million on 800 screens, over half XXX's total of about $15 million from a huge 70 territories and 5,000 screens. Coming in third was Interpreter with $7.1 million at 2,325 dates in 33 territories, lifting the cume for Sydney Pollack's thriller to $39 million. Following its popularity Stateside, distributor Buena Vista International proved it had no reason to panic as Hitchhiker opened No. 1 in all three of its first foreign territories.
What was thought by many in the industry to be a tight horse race between the two films debuting in wide release at the boxoffice this weekend turned into a rout instead. A sci-fi adventure-comedy about interplanetary hitchhiking, Buena Vista's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, sizzled in the top spot with an estimated $21.7 million, while a high-octane action-thriller, Sony's XXX: State of the Union, fizzled in third place with an estimated $13.7 million. The opening for Hitchhiker, from Spyglass Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures, proved to be a company best in April for the Disney distribution arm and also was the highest-grossing debut for a PG-rated film for the month. Buena Vista's Holes previously held both those titles with $16.3 million. Martin Freeman stars in the Garth Jennings-directed Hitchhiker, which was based on the popular novel by Douglas Adams. The XXX sequel's dour debut -- relative to its industry-estimated $87 million cost -- was a far cry from the stellar $44.5 million opening of the original Revolution Studios picture, which starred Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson. Ice Cube and Jackson star in the PG-13 sequel, which was helmed by Lee Tamahori.
SYDNEY -- Hot weather hampered the weekend boxoffice for XXX: State of the Union but not as much as competition from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Interpreter and The Pacifier, which gave the action sequel a soft opening and kept it at No. 2 in most European venues. From just three territories, Hitchhiker took an estimated $8.3 million on 800 screens, over half XXX's total of about $15 million from a huge 70 territories and 5,000 screens. Coming in third was Interpreter with $7.1 million at 2,325 dates in 33 territories, lifting the cume for Sydney Pollack's thriller to $39 million. Following its popularity Stateside, distributor Buena Vista International proved it had no reason to panic as Hitchhiker opened No. 1 in all three of its first foreign territories.
What was thought by many in the industry to be a tight horse race between the two films debuting in wide release at the boxoffice this weekend turned into a rout instead. A sci-fi adventure-comedy about interplanetary hitchhiking, Buena Vista's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, sizzled in the top spot with an estimated $21.7 million, while a high-octane action-thriller, Sony's XXX: State of the Union, fizzled in third place with an estimated $13.7 million. The opening for Hitchhiker, from Spyglass Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures, proved to be a company best in April for the Disney distribution arm and also was the highest-grossing debut for a PG-rated film for the month. Buena Vista's Holes previously held both those titles with $16.3 million. Martin Freeman stars in the Garth Jennings-directed Hitchhiker, which was based on the popular novel by Douglas Adams. The XXX sequel's dour debut -- relative to its industry-estimated $87 million cost -- was a far cry from the stellar $44.5 million opening of the original Revolution Studios picture, which starred Vin Diesel and Samuel L. Jackson. Ice Cube and Jackson star in the PG-13 sequel, which was helmed by Lee Tamahori.
It's sure to be a foot race for a fan base this weekend at the movies. Both new wide releases -- Buena Vista Pictures' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Sony Pictures' XXX: State of the Union -- are looking to draw young males, and the winner will be decided by whichever group of fans shows up in greater numbers and how wide that core fan base expands. Suspense is sure to build because industry insiders are hoping these two broad-based pictures will provide the necessary shot in the arm that the recently beleaguered boxoffice needs. The Walt Disney Co.'s Touchstone Pictures might have the upper hand with the first film adaptation of Douglas Adams' uber-popular book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Originally done in 1978 as a BBC radio show about a group of interplanetary travelers and later turned into the widely successful novel and a TV series, the cult satire has a loyal and devoted following. Whether that fan base translates into moviegoers remains to be seen, but sources say tracking puts the film in the mid-$20 million range. The film version is based on a screenplay originally written by Adams. After the author died unexpectedly in 2001, the script was rewritten by Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, James and the Giant Peach.) Directing the film is Garth Jennings, who along with Nick Goldsmith make up the British commercial and video production and directing team of Hammer & Tongs. Hitchhiker marks Jennings' feature film debut. Spyglass Entertainment is co-producing the PG-rated film. The sci-fi adventure stars Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent, with Mos Def filling the role of Ford Prefect. Also featured are Bill Nighy, Zooey Deschanel, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich. Hitchhiker is sure to play huge on college campuses, but its weekend gross is likely to be more dependent on positive reviews than the other wide opener in the market. The film bows in 3,133 theaters. Sony will open Revolution Studios' XXX: State of the Union on 3,480 screens. A continuation of 2002's high-octane spy actioner XXX, which earned $141 million after opening to $44.5 million, the sequel features neither the original film's star nor its original director. Vin Diesel declined to reprise his role as Xander Cage, an extreme sports athlete-turned-secret agent. And Rob Cohen, who bowed out of directing the sequel, took an executive producing role. Neal Moritz and his Original Film production company produced the movie for Revolution.
- 4/28/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bolstered by 18 new openings and 2,378 prints working in 34 countries -- including berths in the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, Korea and China -- The Interpreter recaptured first place in the overseas boxoffice battle with a weekend take of an estimated $12.6 million. The Nicole Kidman-Sean Penn political-intrigue thriller beat out the previous weekend's b.o. leader, the Vin Diesel family action-comedy The Pacifier ($8.9 million from 2,364), in a generally lackluster spring session that is awaiting the arrival this coming weekend of Sony-Revolution Studios' XXX: State of the Union, the first massive day-and-date global release of the industry's pushed-forward summer period. The weekend was also marked by the admission of Robots to the elite club of $100 million international grossers, with the CGI-animated film reaching that goal after picking up $4.8 million from 4,315 screens in 29 countries. The 20th Century Fox release is eyeing considerably more from the international boxoffice, with dates in Japan, Korea, China and Eastern Europe still to come.
- 4/26/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Xzibit is in final negotiations to join Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in Columbia Pictures' upcoming drama Gridiron Gang. Xzibit will play Malcolm, assistant coach of the team in the film, which was inspired by a 1993 documentary and follows a probation officer (Johnson) who forms a football team of juvenile inmates. The players overcome huge obstacles, gain self-esteem and discipline and, in one season, go from brawling beginners to contenders for the division title. Jeff Maguire wrote the screenplay. Neal Moritz is producing through his Original Film banner together with the documentary makers Lee Stanley and Shane Stanley. Phil Joanou is directing. Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of May at Camp Kilpatrick, a juvenile detention facility in the Santa Monica Mountains. Xzibit will next be seen in XXX: State of the Union and Derailed. His past credits include 8 Mile and The Chronicles of Riddick. Xzibit is repped by CAA.
- 4/14/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revolution Studios, whose current production/distribution agreement with Sony Pictures expires at the end of next year, has begun negotiations to extend the pact. Although it is expected that Sony will demand terms more favorable for the studio, Revolution, whose future at Sony once looked questionable, should remain firmly within the Sony fold. While Revolution founder Joe Roth is directing his sixth movie, the racial drama Freedomland, on location in New York, studio sources said attorney Skip Brittenham is negotiating a new deal on Revolution's behalf with Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Michael Lynton. Revolution, which was founded in 2000, has released 28 films and has three more releases scheduled for this year: XXX: State of the Union, the action sequel that Sony will release April 29; the horror remake The Fog; and Chris Columbus' adaptation of the Broadway musical Rent. Freedomland and the Adam Sandler comedy Bench Warmers are on Revolution's 2006 release schedule. That record leaves the 5-year-old Revolution just three films shy of fulfilling its original 36-film minimum commitment made to its equity partners.
- 4/14/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revolution Studios, whose current production/distribution agreement with Sony Pictures expires at the end of next year, has begun negotiations to extend the pact. Although it is expected that Sony will demand terms more favorable for the studio, Revolution, whose future at Sony once looked questionable, should remain firmly within the Sony fold. While Revolution founder Joe Roth is directing his sixth movie, the racial drama Freedomland, on location in New York, studio sources said attorney Skip Brittenham is negotiating a new deal on Revolution's behalf with Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Michael Lynton. Revolution, which was founded in 2000, has released 28 films and has three more releases scheduled for this year: XXX: State of the Union, the action sequel that Sony will release April 29; the horror remake The Fog; and Chris Columbus' adaptation of the Broadway musical Rent. Freedomland and the Adam Sandler comedy Bench Warmers are on Revolution's 2006 release schedule. That record leaves the 5-year-old Revolution just three films shy of fulfilling its original 36-film minimum commitment made to its equity partners.
- 4/14/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Scott Speedman, Nona Gaye and Sunny Mabrey are feeling the XXX fever, joining Ice Cube, Samuel L. Jackson, Willem Dafoe and Michael Roof in the sequel XXX: State of the Union. Lee Tamahori is directing for Revolution Studios, Columbia Pictures and producer Neal Moritz. Shooting starts in mid-July. The latest installment, penned by Simon Kinberg (Mr. and Mrs. Smith), is largely set in Washington and is described as a thriller.
- 6/29/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Variety reports that Samuel L. Jackson has agreed to reprise his role as NSA Agent Augustus Gibbons in XXX2 alongside Ice Cube, who is taking over for Vin Diesel in the sequel. Lee Tamahori is slated to direct the film this coming summer for Sony, which is eyeing a 2005 release. Jackson is to be the sequel's one bit on continuity in his role as an M-like mentor to a young Gen-X secret agent, played this time around by Cube. Both Diesel and director Rob Cohen opted out of the second film.
- 11/5/2003
- IMDbPro News
Variety reports that director Rob Cohen, of XXX and The Fast and the Furious fame, is in talks to direct the action flick Warrior for Columbia Pictures from a script by WD Richter. The tale of a pilot's effort to bring down a computerized fighter jet that has run amok will follow Cohen's biography of Hawaiian King Kamehameha starring The Rock, and if all goes well, the XXX sequel will follow Warrior.
- 11/15/2002
- IMDbPro News
Tinseltown beefcake Vin Diesel is sick of making action movies - because he wants to be taken serious as an actor. The XXX star believes Hollywood has pigeon-holed him in the action genre and wants to branch out into different film types, including adaptations of Shakespeare. One movie executive says, "He wants to be the next Tom Hanks." Another film boss adds, "Maybe he can just go do (William Shakespeare) in one movie and get it out of his system, like Keanu (Reeves)." However Diesel's thespian dreams will have to be put on hold for now. Vin has several action flicks in the pipeline, including A Man Apart, Pitch Black sequel The Chronicles Of Riddick and XXX2. Vin recently met up with Nicole Kidman to discuss the prospect of a remake of Guys And Dolls.
- 11/12/2002
- WENN
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