DJ Caruso to Direct 'xXx 3' [Release Date, Cast, Plot & Rumors]

Hit spy thriller "xXx" will once again return together with Vin Diesel who last saw action in the 2002 debut of the film as the athlete-turned-spy Xander Cage. Now, in new developments, Diesel has revealed to fans who will direct the upcoming third installment of the flick.

In an interview with io9, Diesel shared that the "Disturbia," "I Am Number Four," and "Eagle Eye" director D.J. Caruso will take the helms and direct the film that is reported to be titled "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage."

Caruso, meanwhile, confirmed the news via his twitter.

Yes sir! https://t.co/hxWKsVfacP

— D.j. Caruso (@Deejaycar) October 11, 2015

Nonetheless, according to Diesel, he is not sure when the movie will happen as he is currently engaged with the filming of "Furious 8" that is scheduled to be released on April 14, 2017.

"I'm excited as hell about XXX. D.J. Caruso is directing it, which is exciting. The big question now is which will race to production first now that F. Gary Gray is on [Furious 8]? Will XXX race to production first or will Fast race to production first?" Diesel explained in the interview.

As mentioned by Screen Rant, the filming of "xXx 3" might begin first given that it was scheduled by the end of 2015. Additionally, with a director already in line and the script written by John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris reportedly finished early this year, the production of the film is very much possible to come first.

The site, however, cited that the filming schedule might still change as "Furious 8" by Universal Studios might be given priority with the fact that it is already a proven total box-office hit in the past seven installments.

"XXX is one of those films you do when you need to have a little fun. When the weight and pressures of all the other things have gone so far that you need to have a character that you can just have fun and more comment on life and comment on the outcome than being in it like Dom Torretto. Dom is very much the center of the storm, Xander is more the guide to something else and you're just with him," Diesel added in the interview by io9.

The first "xXx" film was launched way back in 2002, starring Diesel as the protagonist Cage. The film grossed $277 million in a $70 million budget, warranting a sequel for the film in 2005 titled "xXx: State of the Union" that then featured Ice Cube.

The said sequel did not perform very well like its predecessor, eventually killing the franchise. Hence, the return of Diesel in the film is expected to regain the success the franchise experienced in the first film.