Vin Diesel fans everywhere rejoiced when they learnt the actor was returning to the role of Xander Cage. During the late ‘90s Diesel had already been noticed in the industry for packing a dramatic punch in films like Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room. But with the release of Pitch Black, The Fast and the Furious, and xXx Diesel quickly started packing a more literal punch, becoming one of Hollywood’s newest – and biggest – action stars.
And now he’s back in one of his most definitive roles! Check out twelve facts about the xXx film franchise below and if you’re joining us for the screening at January’s M-Net Movies Night Out, we’ll see you there.
- Return of Xander Cage is the third feature film in the franchise.
- This may be the third feature, but it’s the fourth film in the series. In 2005 a short film entitled The Final Chapter: The Death of Xander Cage was released with the director’s cut DVD of the first film.
- Diesel’s stunt double, Khristian Lupo, played the role of Cage in the short film.
- Seeing as how Xander Cage returns in Return of Xander Cage we imagine the movie will explain the fact that he clearly didn’t die. Unless this is a ghost story? We doubt it!
- Xander Cage may be covered in tattoos, but they’re all fake because Diesel has no tattoos.
- Indian actress Deepika Padukone makes her Hollywood debut in Return of Xander Cage. Padukone is one of the highest paid actresses in the world: she placed 30 on the 2016 Forbes list of highest-paid actors, coming 22 places after Diesel.
- Eric Bana was offered the role of Xander Cage, but turned it down.
- Because he wanted to focus on xXx back in the early Noughties, Diesel turned down the role of Daredevil. He eventually got a chance to appear in a superhero movie when he voiced Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy. He will reprise the role for the sequel (released this year) and in Avengers: Infinity War (released next year).
- Ice Cube became the star in the second feature, State of the Union, and reprises his role for Return of Xander Cage.
- It also includes appearances by martial arts stars Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa.
- Make sure you keep an eye out for TV stars Ruby Rose (Stella from Orange is the New Black) and Rory McCann (The Hound from Game of Thrones).
- Samuel L. Jackson returns to his role as NSA Agent Augustus Gibbons. He’s the only actor to have appeared in all three feature films.
Missed out? Don’t worry: you can watch xXx: Return of Xander Cage in cinemas nationwide from Friday 27 January.
And…
February’s M-Net Movies Night Out is already open! If you want to join us for a pre-screening of 50 Shades Darker, click here to enter.