According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal will be putting Riddick – the third movie in the sci-fi franchise – in theaters on September 6, 2013, ending what will be a 9-year drought without Vin Diesel and his eyesight issues. Not only will the star be returning, writer/director David Twohy is also on board, meaning (at the very least) a sense of stylistic consistency.
Unsurprisingly, the new feature has a lower budget and will involve less blockbuster-style action.
This is pretty damned cool. Pitch Black was a lot of fun, Chronicles of Riddick was solid, and Diesel excels as this kind of survivalist action hero. The September slot doesn’t reveal a ton of confidence (which seems naturally after a poor tentpole showing and nine years), but this thing doesn’t have to change the world. It could be a bright spot in an otherwise dull wait until Awards Season 2013.
Here’s the official synopsis:
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose pursuit of Riddick is more personal. With time running out and a storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won’t leave the planet without Riddick’s head as their trophy.
Are you counting down the days until you see Riddick?
