Third ‘XXX’ Film Scores a Director

I know you were all holding your breath in anticipation for the next installment in the ‘XXX’ franchise, and, lucky you, it looks like things are moving along just fine.   The Hollywood Reporter is reporting ‘XXX: The Return of Xander Cage’ has picked up a director.   Ericson Core is stepping in to helm the film that sees the return of Vin Diesel as a former X-Games star turned secret government agent.

Don’t worry if you aren’t entirely sure who Core is.   His only previous endeavor into feature filmmaking was 2006’s Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg.   He previously served as cinematographer on such films as ‘Payback,’ ‘The Fast and the Furious,’ and ‘Daredevil.’   He will be working from a screenplay by ‘Terminator 3’ and ‘Terminator Salvation’ scripters John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris.

‘XXX: The Return of Xander Cage’ was initially set to be directed by Rob Cohen, who directed Diesel in the first ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and the first ‘XXX.’   However, Cohen moved on to direct ‘Medieval’ in June.   Columbia, dead-set on getting the third ‘XXX’ feature made with Diesel attached is banking on Core to deliver.

The plan is to begin filming on ‘XXX: The Return of Xander Cage’ early next year.