XXX sequel gets a director

Ericson Core to helm Vin Diesel in XXX: The Return of Xander Cage

Ericson Core has signed to helm “XXX: The Return of Xander Cage,” the third installment in the action franchise.


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.


John Brancato and Michael Ferris (“Terminator Salvation”) wrote the script for “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. Neal Moritz and Joe Roth are producing.