With production set to begin later this month onXXX: The Return of Xander Cage, the cast is starting to fill out.The Hollywood Reporterreveals thatNina Dobrev(The Vampire Diaries) andRuby Rose(Orange Is the New Black) are in varying stages of negotiations to join the cast of thissequel. We reported earlier this week that martial arts legendsTony JaaandJet Li, along with UFC fighterConor McGregor, have come aboard to star, but they weren’t mentioned in this latest report.
The story is rumored to center on originalxXxstarVin Diesel’s character, Xander Cage, who surrounds himself with “sexy badasses and comic relief players.” The idea is that this franchise will be resurrected in the same way as hisFast & Furiousfranchise was brought back to life, with Xander Cage leading a new team. The cast also includes originalxXxstarSamuel L. Jackson, returning as Gibbons, head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Bollywood star Deepika Padukone as thefemale lead.
This project will be Deepika Padukone’s first ever American production.Vin Dieseloriginally wanted to bring her on board for a role in last year’s blockbusterFurious 7, but she had to turn down the part due to prior commitments. Deepika Padukone is playing a “huntress” who is also Xander Cage’s former lover.Nina Dobrevis portraying a witty and sarcastic tech specialist, whileRuby Roseis playing a sniper.
D.J. Caruso(The Disapppointments Room) is directing from a script byF. Scott Frazier(The Numbers Station), withVin Dieselproducing alongside his sister Samantha Vincent, Jeff Kirschenbaum andJoe Roth. Production is scheduled to take place in Toronto and the Philippines. The sequel doesn’t have a distributor yet, but several sources claim that Paramount Pictures will be the franchise’s new home.
Nina Dobrevrecently parted ways with The CW seriesThe Vampire Diaries, after starring in the first six seasons. On the big screen, she most recently starred inThe Final Girls, and she will next be seen in Crash Pad and Arrivals.Ruby Roseis best known for playing Stella Carlin on the Netflix seriesOrange Is the New Black, and she will next be seen on the big screen inJohn Wick 2andResident Evil: The Final Chapter.
