Ice Cube taking over for Vin Diesel in ‘XXX’ sequel
10-02-03, 10:41 PM
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Ice Cube taking over for Vin Diesel in ‘XXX’ sequel
http://www.msnbc.com/news/975307.asp?0na=x22010S0-
Rap icon steps in for Vin Diesel
By Josh Spector
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2 — “XXX” will be back — but its star and director will not. Vin Diesel and director Rob Cohen have opted out of the sequel to the 2002 actioner about an extreme athlete-turned-secret agent, prompting producer Revolution Studios to hire rapper Ice Cube as the star and Lee Tamahori (“Die Another Day”) as director.
THE SECOND INSTALLMENT of the franchise, which will begin production in the summer and hit theaters in 2005.
According to Sony-based Revolution, all parties involved determined that the franchise was best served by the introduction of a new “XXX” character in each film. Although Diesel and Cohen will not reprise their roles for the sequel, they will remain executive producers on the project.
“When we made the decision to cast a new lead actor, Ice Cube was the perfect choice,” Revolution Studios partner Todd Garner said. “He is a fantastic actor who has the attitude and versatility required to bring this new character to life. We are extremely indebted to Vin, who helped us launch the franchise, and look forward to working with him on the two projects we are developing together.”
For Ice Cube, the project marks the rapper-turned-actor’s highest-profile role to date and comes on the heels of such hits as “Barbershop” and the “Friday” series. Before the new “XXX” film, Ice Cube will star in Revolution’s family comedy “Are We There Yet?” That film begins production next month in Vancouver. He has just wrapped the “Barbershop” sequel for MGM and next appears in Warner Bros.’ January release “Torque.”
Tamahori, whose work on 2002’s “Die Another Day” resulted in the most successful film in the history of the James Bond franchise, also has directed such films as “Along Came a Spider” and “Mulholland Falls.” He made his name with 1994’s ”Once Were Warriors,” a gritty drama set in his native New Zealand.
Diesel will now focus on Revolution’s “Hannibal” as his next project, while Cohen’s next project will be Sony’s “Stealth.”
“XXX” marks the second time that both Diesel and Cohen have chosen not to participate in the sequel to a franchise they launched, following on the heels of Universal Pictures’ “The Fast and the Furious.” The sequel to that 2001 hit was released this past summer, with Tyrese replacing Diesel and John Singleton replacing Cohen behind the camera.
“XXX,” released last year, grossed about $141 million domestically.
Chris
Rap icon steps in for Vin Diesel
By Josh Spector
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2 — “XXX” will be back — but its star and director will not. Vin Diesel and director Rob Cohen have opted out of the sequel to the 2002 actioner about an extreme athlete-turned-secret agent, prompting producer Revolution Studios to hire rapper Ice Cube as the star and Lee Tamahori (“Die Another Day”) as director.
THE SECOND INSTALLMENT of the franchise, which will begin production in the summer and hit theaters in 2005.
According to Sony-based Revolution, all parties involved determined that the franchise was best served by the introduction of a new “XXX” character in each film. Although Diesel and Cohen will not reprise their roles for the sequel, they will remain executive producers on the project.
“When we made the decision to cast a new lead actor, Ice Cube was the perfect choice,” Revolution Studios partner Todd Garner said. “He is a fantastic actor who has the attitude and versatility required to bring this new character to life. We are extremely indebted to Vin, who helped us launch the franchise, and look forward to working with him on the two projects we are developing together.”
For Ice Cube, the project marks the rapper-turned-actor’s highest-profile role to date and comes on the heels of such hits as “Barbershop” and the “Friday” series. Before the new “XXX” film, Ice Cube will star in Revolution’s family comedy “Are We There Yet?” That film begins production next month in Vancouver. He has just wrapped the “Barbershop” sequel for MGM and next appears in Warner Bros.’ January release “Torque.”
Tamahori, whose work on 2002’s “Die Another Day” resulted in the most successful film in the history of the James Bond franchise, also has directed such films as “Along Came a Spider” and “Mulholland Falls.” He made his name with 1994’s ”Once Were Warriors,” a gritty drama set in his native New Zealand.
Diesel will now focus on Revolution’s “Hannibal” as his next project, while Cohen’s next project will be Sony’s “Stealth.”
“XXX” marks the second time that both Diesel and Cohen have chosen not to participate in the sequel to a franchise they launched, following on the heels of Universal Pictures’ “The Fast and the Furious.” The sequel to that 2001 hit was released this past summer, with Tyrese replacing Diesel and John Singleton replacing Cohen behind the camera.
“XXX,” released last year, grossed about $141 million domestically.
Chris
10-02-03, 10:56 PM
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Hey, I might see this one then!
Sorry, but Vin Diesel is not an action star. He's not even a good actor.
His delivery is flat and emotionless, and he looks & sounds like comic Robert Schimmel.
Sorry, but Vin Diesel is not an action star. He's not even a good actor.
His delivery is flat and emotionless, and he looks & sounds like comic Robert Schimmel.
10-02-03, 10:58 PM
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Originally posted by SunMonkey
I thought Vin Diesel kept saying he wanted a franchise of his own. And yet, he keeps quitting. Strange.
I thought Vin Diesel kept saying he wanted a franchise of his own. And yet, he keeps quitting. Strange.
Good for Cube
10-03-03, 02:42 AM
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I betcha it had to do with the Tomb Raider 2 poor box office showing.
Majority of people didn't like XXX or Tomb Raider, but both movies made over a hundred million and were hits.
Now with Tomb Raider 2, and Charlie's Angels 2 poor showings the studio's wanna try something new.
Vinny has had a string of bombs, so it don't look to good for him to open a movie.
Majority of people didn't like XXX or Tomb Raider, but both movies made over a hundred million and were hits.
Now with Tomb Raider 2, and Charlie's Angels 2 poor showings the studio's wanna try something new.
Vinny has had a string of bombs, so it don't look to good for him to open a movie.
10-03-03, 05:00 AM
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Originally posted by JestersTear
Sorry, but Vin Diesel is not an action star. He's not even a good actor.
Sorry, but Vin Diesel is not an action star. He's not even a good actor.
j
10-03-03, 08:35 AM
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Listen to the commentary on the Pitch Black DVD and you'll see that Vin Diesel believes his own hype. Even early in his career he sounded like a wannabe diva. And now he's blown off 2 big franchises. 2Fast2Furious' success proved that he wasn't needed to pull in the bucks and I think XXX2(or XXXL, or XXXI, or XXXX) will perform well without him either.
VD is killing his own career.
D
VD is killing his own career.
D
10-03-03, 09:58 AM
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I kind of like this direction. It shows a theme of recruiting unlikely agents, not just extreme athletes. Cube will probably be an ex-gangsta or something. I'm not saying it will definitely be a good movie, but I don't hate the idea. The hard part will be marketing this.
10-03-03, 10:10 AM
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i remember reading that Cohen had backed out a few weeks ago, and wondering when Vin Diesel would do the same....seems like a bad decision on his part, but what do I know?
10-03-03, 12:29 PM
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Derrich: The VD is killing his own career line was funny.
Anyone else find it ironic that Vin is choosing to star in a sequel that had the worst B.O. in its run, but the other two franchises he opted not to return to?
Anyone else find it ironic that Vin is choosing to star in a sequel that had the worst B.O. in its run, but the other two franchises he opted not to return to?
10-03-03, 12:38 PM
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Originally posted by costanza187
Will Big Worm be the bad guy?
Will Big Worm be the bad guy?
"Playing with my weed is like playing with my emotions, Smokey."
...or better yet, as the 'bad' guy:
"Don't make me cut ya balls off and hand 'em to ya, patna!"
10-03-03, 11:03 PM
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the guy really thinks he can demand more then 20 million? He should have stayed with what wroked. 2 fast 2 furious would have sold with him, XXX 2 will sell without him as well.
10-04-03, 11:30 AM
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From a post at AICN.
Phildogger
Subject: Fourth!
Comment: Damn, I'm a geek. Ice Cube is down with the P.E. Now every single movie gonna feature me...
Phildogger
Subject: Fourth!
Comment: Damn, I'm a geek. Ice Cube is down with the P.E. Now every single movie gonna feature me...
10-04-03, 02:09 PM
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Originally posted by the narrator
i remember reading that Cohen had backed out a few weeks ago, and wondering when Vin Diesel would do the same....seems like a bad decision on his part, but what do I know?
i remember reading that Cohen had backed out a few weeks ago, and wondering when Vin Diesel would do the same....seems like a bad decision on his part, but what do I know?
