Vin Diesel risked a lot to bring Riddick to the screen

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

I hope you're prepared to rule the dark because in one week the long-awaited RIDDICK will be hitting theaters and while the film has had a long, hard road making it back to the screen (the film was nine years in the making), no one risked more to make it happen than star and producer Vin Diesel.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Diesel revealed that he had to put a lot on the line to make RIDDICK happen, stating…

"I had to leverage my house. If we didn't finish the film, I would be homeless."

The making of RIDDICK differed from that of its 2004 predecessor THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK and the film that introduced us to the character of Richard Riddick, PITCH BLACK, both of which were produced and distributed by Universal, in that RIDDICK was financed independently. But Diesel knew it would be worth it, stating…

"In many ways, this is the reawakening of the franchise."

RIDDICK was a passion project for Diesel and the actor/producer was motivated to continue on with the series after a fan told him…

"We want a rated-R movie and we'd be willing to pay $10 each. Surely you'd have enough to make it then."

Said Diesel:

"Something about that comment made me think, 'Bless their heart,' and if I can do anything with this newfound success, if I could do anything at all, I could deliver on that wish."

You gotta love Diesel. He really seems to be in it for the fans, and that's admirable.

RIDDICK hits theaters September 6 2013…next Friday!

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.