Vin Diesel Ponders A RIDDICKulous Pay-Cut

posted on
05.25.2011

The headline… These puns- sometimes they just… happen.

You don’t often see the kind of thick-and-thin dedication to a pet project as Vin Diesel and David Twohy have maintained for Riddick, and you certainly don’t see it often for a third film in a sci-action franchise that didn’t turn out to be so profitable. Regardless, Twohy and Diesel have long pushed for a second sequel, and somehow managed to get it greenlit last year. There’s been script reviews and concept presentations to buyers across the world, but things have been a little silent while Diesel participated in another destined-to-blow-up Fast Integer film. Now it seems director David Twohy has put all the pieces of the puzzle in place for a shoot that could start as soon as this summer- as long as Diesel will drop his rate on the front end,* presumably settling for bigger points on the backed of a film that’s a sequel to an unprofitable $100m movie from 7+ years ago.

Well, he wasn’t thrilled about the idea last year, and apparently Diesel’s passion still doesn’t extend so far that he’ll do this immediately and without hesitation- so he’s taken his pondering public and asked for advice and input on his Facebook. Nothing like a tiny sample of vocal, predisposed fans to point you in the wisest direction.

GRRRR..

D T the writer/director just landed in New York with the good news. We can start filming this summer. However, there is a catch… in order for us to make a true R rated film, I must work for scale upfront. Not unlike the “Find me Guilty” experience (which I wouldn’t have changed for the world)…

Money is always second to art,… integrity and spirit… but the real issue is deeper. Can I suspend my life, to momentarily venture to that dark place… called Riddick.

Now, I need to hear from Our collective… you.

Wisdom and clarity appreciated

25k “likes” and nearly 8k comments later, Diesel thanked his fans and mentioned that he was off to see more concept art. So no confirmation yet, but I would imagine Diesel will dive into it- no greater time for him to do so than now. Especially if this is a legitimately contained and stripped-down showcase of his action chops*. While I’ve been hoping the success of Fast Five would put The Rock right back at the top of the action radar so he could get more of the movies we’re always looking for from him, I don’t have the same interest in Diesel getting that kind of heat. I like Diesel and want him to edge the shit comedy to action ratio back in favor of the high-octane stuff, but there’s no doubt his persona is a bit more limiting. The Rock needs to be a titan of action and destruction on the big screen every few months, like clockwork. Diesel should be doing that kind of thing, but it’s no tragedy for him to invest time in an esoteric pet project like this, especially with a filmmaker like Twohy. Whether the franchise really has any commercial life left in it or not, we’re likely to get a pretty cool film out of it, and that’s a waste of no one’s time.

So go for it Vin! Coast on those fast and furious paychecks for a while and “venture to that dark place.” Now or never buddy. While I still have you though, can you please do something about this fucking Facebook page photo? This is not helping dispel any light-in-the-loafers rumors… It’s totally cool if you’re a dude-banging action star, but that would at least imply you have better taste than this Wal-Mart Twilight poster shit…