Two new promo images revealed for 'Riddick'

Actor Vin Diesel posted this image on his Facebook account Monday.

With less than two months before the release of "Riddick," the third film in the sci-fi action series starring Vin Diesel in the title role, two new promo images have been revealed by the film's Twitter account as well as Diesel himself.

The film's Twitter account revealed this promo image.

In the Sept. 9 release, Riddick (Diesel) is left for dead on another barren world and must fed off an attack of not only a band of bounty hunters but the planet indigenous, and deadly, inhabitants. "Riddick" brings the series back to its roots with a story very similar to 2000's "Pitch Black." Just how the new film ties into the 2004 sequel "Chronicles of Riddick," which ended with the Furyan as the new leader of the Necromonger empire, remains to be seen.

The new film also stars Karl Urban ("Star Trek"), Katee Sackhoff ("Battlestar Gallactica"), Dave Batista ("The Man with the Iron Fists"), Nolan Gerand Funk ("Awkward") and Noah Danby ("Defiiance").

"Riddick" was written and directed by David Twohy, who was also responsible for the first two films.

Hattip to Comingsoon.net for the finds.

Dave Bautista joining Vin Diesel in 'Riddick'

Professional wrestler and actor Dave Bautista is joining Vin Diesel in "Riddick," which started filming Friday.

Dave Bautista

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bautista will be in "9/10ths of the film," which is directed by David Twohy and will follow 2000's "Pitch Black" and 2004's "Chronicles of Riddick."

Bautista, who is a WWE superstar, starred in the direct-to-video "The Scorpian King 3: Battle for Redemption" and will appear in the forthcoming "Man With the Iron Fists."

Diesel meanwhile reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.

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.

"Riddick," which is shooting in Montreal, Canada, is a One Race Films production. The film will be released by Universal Pictures in the U.S., and Lionsgate is handling international sales.

Filming underway on 'Riddick'

"Riddick" will be actor Vin Diesel's third turn as the titular antihero.

Universal Pictures, One Race Films and Radar Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on the action-driven, sci-fi thriller "Riddick." The shoot will take place in Montreal.

The latest chapter of the saga that began with 2000's hit sci-fi film "Pitch Black" and 2004's "The Chronicles of Riddick" reunites writer/director David Twohy ("A Perfect Getaway," "The Fugitive") and star Vin Diesel (the "Fast and Furious" franchise, "xXx)". Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.

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.

Third 'Riddick' seeking a 2012 release date?

"The Final Stand of Riddick"

The third "Riddick" film could be out as early next year, according to the latest from star Vin Diesel.

The actor provided fans with the update via his Facebook page, also providing another piece of concept art, entitled "The Last Stand of Riddick."

"Concept art and Key frames allow a production to explore possibilities before actually committing to film, Diesel posted. "The road to the 'R' rating, that so many of you were vocal about, has been a long one. The advantage however, (never empower the negatives) was that we were allowed a really extensive preproduction. The art work is so good, the artists have really outdone themselves in illustrating this world at it's early stage.

"When this film comes to the screen... know that you willed it into being!" he added.

"I got two meetings today that I have been prepping for... one with the Director and another one with the head of the studio to discuss casting and the 2012 release date. Like always, I appreciate having your voice present in these meetings."

Third 'Riddick' movie to be rated R

Riddick first appeared in 2000's "Pitch Black."

Actor Vin Diesel has once again updated fans on the progress of the much-anticipated third "Riddick" film, stating the Universal production will be rated R.

"I am grateful to have Universal in such support of this complex character's journey... not many studios would back an 'R' rating. Very cool," Diesel posted on Facebook.

The character of Riddick, played by Diesel, first appeared in 2000's "Pitch Black." That movie was followed by 2004's "The Chronicles of Riddick." The sequel was rated PG-13, while the original was R. Both films were written and directed by David Twohy.

Vin Diesel

"While I was working on character, the director and his team of artists have been creating the world and style of this picture," Diesel said about the third film, posted a sample of concept art (shown above). "We all know how much I enjoy concept art and storyboards, haha, I am like a kid in a candy shop."

"Seeing the early stage of CGI is always fascinating to me, it is a element that usually comes together long after the filming process, so you look forward to seeing it fully realized."

He went on to say that the first stop for "Riddick 3" production will be in Canada, where a large portion of "Chronicles" was filmed.

The existing plot synopsis for the upcoming film is as follows: "Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction."

Save the date: 'Fast Six' will be released May 24, 2013

Universal Pictures will release the as-yet-untitled "Fast and Furious 6" over the Memorial Day Weekend in 2013, May 24 to be specific.

"Fast Five" has grossed $596 million.

Almost nothing is known about the sixth installment, but it will presumably build on the surprise extra scene following the credits of April's "Fast Five."

To date the film is the third highest grossing film over the year at the U.S. box office with $207 million and has picked up a total of $596 million worldwide.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, lead actor Vin Diesel said he considers "Fast and Furious," "Fast Five" and the eventual sixth installment a trilogy.

Vin Diesel talks about "Fast Five" extra scene as well as the franchise's future

Entertainment Weekly talked with "Fast Five" star Vin Diesel Thursday, expanding on the extra scene following the film's end credits and what it means for the eventual sixth film.

(Since this will obviously include spoilers for "Fast Five," the rest of this post will be behind the break.)