xXx 4: Latest Updates and What We Know About Its Release

The franchise of xXx has seen a significant gap of nearly ten years since its last film, raising the question of whether we will ever witness the return of Vin Diesel as Xander Cage. Diesel has continued to thrive in his other successful franchises, notably the Fast & Furious series that spans over ten films. Alongside this success, he is reportedly revisiting the Riddick saga for a fourth chapter. The possibility of Diesel reprising his role as Xander Cage remains, albeit with no current activity suggesting an imminent revival of the franchise.

Debuting in 2002, xXx introduced viewers to Xander Cage, a thrill-seeking extreme sports enthusiast who collaborates with the National Security Agency to infiltrate terrorist organizations. The sequel, xXx: State of the Union, hit theaters in 2005, but unlike his earlier role in Fast & Furious, Diesel did not return, with Ice Cube stepping in as the lead. After a considerable absence, Diesel returned to the franchise in xXx: Return of Xander Cage, released in 2017. Despite a brief resurgence, the discussions surrounding xXx 4 have largely stagnated since then.

Recent Developments on xXx 4

Ruby Rose’s Insight on xXx 4

Vin Diesel's tattoo in xXx promotional image — Image via Sony

After a prolonged silence surrounding the franchise, Ruby Rose, who played a key role in xXx: Return of Xander Cage as Adele Wolff, provided a concerning update regarding xXx 4. Despite fond memories of working on the film, her response when asked about the next installment was less than optimistic: “I haven’t heard anything,” she shared.

Here are her complete thoughts:

I haven’t heard anything. I haven’t heard anything since 1974 (laughs). No, I don’t know. I would hope so because I would love to work with that cast and crew again. [They’re] incredible people. I think Vin’s busy doing lots of Fast and The Furious 312 and I don’t know, but that would be, that was another really fun mission movie, I guess might’ve been my only other real mission movie, but very different tonally than Dirty Angels. Dirty Angels is a much more serious film.

While her words do not definitively close the door on a sequel, the striking absence of momentum in nearly a decade is a concerning sign. The entertainment industry generally capitalizes on successful titles, and considering that xXx: Return of Xander Cage grossed approximately $350 million on an $80 million budget (source: Box Office Mojo), an apparent delay in creating a sequel raises eyebrows. However, the lengthy gap between the second and third films proves that a comeback is indeed possible.

The Status of xXx 4

Current Outlook for xXx 4

Vin Diesel in xXx movie poster — Image via Sony

Despite ongoing interest, xXx 4 remains unconfirmed. However, the potential for it still exists. In 2018, The H Collective and Vin Diesel’s One Race Films acquired the rights to the xXx trilogy from Revolution Studios. Unfortunately, plans were hindered due to legal disputes when Weying Galaxy claimed that contractual obligations had been breached during the production process. The outcome of this litigation remains unclear years later, muddying the prospects for a new film.

For a comprehensive view of the franchise’s financial performance, here is an overview of box office returns and Rotten Tomatoes scores:

Movie	Box Office	Rotten Tomatoes Score
xXx (2002)	$277 million	48%
xXx: State of the Union (2005)	$71 million	17%
xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)	$346 million	46%

Potential Cast for xXx 4

Returning Faces in xXx 4

None — Rumors suggest Vin Diesel is eager to return as Xander Cage.

The underwhelming reception of xXx: State of the Union in 2005 indicates that Vin Diesel’s presence is essential for the success of any potential xXx 4. Without him, a continuation of the franchise likely wouldn’t materialize. During production of xXx: Return of Xander Cage, there were intentions by Paramount Pictures to have Diesel and the original cast return for a fourth film, yet the passing of executive Brad Grey in 2017 has delayed these plans.

Notably, the conclusion of the 2017 film hinted at the return of Ice Cube’s Darius Stone, suggesting a shared universe akin to that seen in the Fast & Furious franchise. In 2018, there were reports that Jay Chou and Zoe Zhang had signed on for the upcoming film, but the status of this casting remains uncertain nearly a decade later.

Speculated Plot of xXx 4

Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage — The potential for an intense storyline in xXx 4.

The appearance of Ice Cube’s Darius Stone at the end of xXx: Return of Xander Cage left audiences eager for more, suggesting the possibility of further character development and world-building in xXx 4. DJ Caruso, the director, expressed his vision for the next chapter, indicating that the story could explore themes of governmental corruption and surveillance. He elaborated on this idea, mentioning (via Cinema Blend):

Sam [Jackson] talks about how we need someone to watch the watchers… So that’s kind of the idea with the next one. And then, if we can expand on that, what would the world leaders do if they know that these were the people watching the watchers?

This narrative suggests a high-stakes conflict centered around Xander Cage and his allies battling not only international foes but also threats from within their own government. Until more information about xXx 4 emerges, however, fans are left speculating about what the future may hold for this beloved action franchise.

Sources & Images