Vin Diesel signs deal with Universal TV, developing ‘Riddick’ series

Universal Television sent out a press release announcing they’re developing a companion Riddick series with Diesel’s One Race Television production company. You can check out the full video below, which revealed that they will start filming the new fourth chapter titled Furia in early 2017 (after Diesel gets his newborn child Pauline up and walking), that it will be an origin story of where Riddick comes from, what rating they are aiming for, as well as news on the spin-off series “Merc City“.

Diesel has hired industry veteran Shana C. Waterman as Head of Television.

First up, Diesel and One Race will be turning their Chronicles of Riddick franchise into a television show. There is no indication that Diesel has any intent in starring in the Riddick adjacent TV series, but it would probably be a good idea if he went that route.

Vin Diesel is keeping his partnership with Universal alive, signing a deal with Universal Television and planning a Riddick television series.

“In addition to being a huge star for our feature division, Vin is a true creative force as a producer”, said Jennifer Salke, president, NBC Entertainment. One Race was also responsible for a couple more hit movie franchises including sci-fi cult classic Pitch Black and its two sequels: The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick. Diesel has been a producer on four of the highest grossing Fast & Furious films, which could mean extreme street racing could find its way into your home on a weekly basis. “We feel really fortunate to be in business with not only an global powerhouse, but a truly thoughtful and passionate producer”. Universal Television is the production arm of NBC.

There’s no word yet on whether Diesel will reprise his role for the spin-off but it’s also possible that Riddick would make only a few appearances since he is busy with his own Diesel-centric projects. If Diesel were to offer a Riddick limited series to HBO, Netflix, or another premium cable network or streaming service, then it would be considered a major event and help keep his franchise alive. Twohy wrote and directed all three live action installments which follow Diesel’s character as he relies on his military training to survive a variety of threats out in space in the 28th century.