Actor Vin Diesel is mostly known for his "Fast and Furious" franchise but his other big series is "Riddick," which saw a third film release this past 2013. According to Diesel and "Riddick" series director David Twohy, the film will most likely be a prequel and that it won't begin filming until 2017.
Diesel explained on his Facebook live stream that it would take roughly 12 months from now before he is prepared to begin working on the film. This is likely due to the fact that his third child with model Paloma Jimenez was just recently born and that it will take some time for him to step out of his role as a father and back to the "darkness" of Richard B. Riddick.
Twohy suggested that the film may again be R-Rated and that it would focus primarily on the origins of Riddick and his life on the planet Furya.
Other than the new film coming out, a report from Variety has also pointed out that a new TV series connected to the "Riddick" franchise is being developed with NBC. Diesel's production company, One Race, will be collaborating with NBC for what is assumed to be the "Merc City" series Diesel initially teased on his Instagram account.
"Vin is a true creative force as a producer. After sitting down with him and his team at One Race Television, it's clear he will now also be an incredible asset to both the network and our television studio," said president of NBC Entertainment Jennifer Salke.
"Merc City" is touted to be set in the "Riddick" universe but will not primarily focus on Riddick himself. Instead, it will put the spotlight on bounty hunters and mercenaries, although it is speculated Riddick will appear akin to how actor Bradley Cooper appeared in the TV series of "Limitless."
It is also speculated that one reason Diesel may not be prominent in the series is due to his busy schedule with several Marvel films, "Fast and Furious 8" and a potential sequel to "xXx."
