Vin Diesel is returning to another franchise he built early in his career. The action star will be returning as Xander Cage for the third installment of "xXx" and along with the ride is none other than Miss Columbia Ariadna Gutierrez.
According to TMZ, Gutierrez's part is not just for cameo's sake, "Sources connected with the production tell us Ariadna Gutierrez will play Vin's love interest, and her part is not insignificant. She's in 6 scenes and has 3 pages of dialogue." Ariadna Gutierrez got international spotlight when her name was wrongfully called by Steve Harvey as the Miss Universe winner instead of Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzback.
Fans of the action movie series will certainly learn more about the anti-hero's predicament since it was indicated that he is actually dead. According to Cinema Blend, the DVD re-release of Ice Cube sequel comes with the short film called "'The Final Chapter: The Death Of Xander Cage'. Hilariously, Cage never speaks, and he's played by Diesel's stunt double, who blows up pretty ridiculously."
The short film could be completely ignored in the upcoming film but the third installment will most likely address why he was not in the second film.
However, Variety reports that it could be a straight-up action film with cool x-games stunts with more noteworthy movie stars, "The third film follows Diesel's character as he comes out of self-imposed exile to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora's Box. Indian actress Deepika Padukone will play the female lead opposite Diesel, joining Ruby Rose, Nina Dobrev, Donnie Yen and Samuel L. Jackson."
Aside from Ariadna Gutierrez, UFC star Conor McGregor has also agreed to be part of the upcoming sequel according to MMA Mania although there is no word yet on his role. Paramount has set the release date on January 20, 2017.