Vin Diesel has seemingly been so focused on the “Fast & Furious” franchise that I actually forgot that this was in the works as well. It looks like it’s “xXx” and “Fast & Furious” movies for Diesel for the next few years.

Titled “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” Diesel of course returns in the title role, and Samuel L. Jackson is back as well as Agent Augustus Eugene Gibbons.

This 3rd film in the franchise is directed by D.J. Caruso. Recall Ice Cube took over for the second film – “xXx: State of the Union” – playing Darius Stone/xXx).

As for plot for the upcoming threequel, this is all that’s been officially revealed thus far: Xander Cage is left for dead after an incident, though he secretly returns to action for a new, tough assignment with his handler Augustus Gibbons. Although, in a 2012 interview (the film has been in the works for at least 5 years), Rob Cohen (who was initially attached to direct) shared while doing press for “Alex Cross” that the film will be shot and released in 3D, and that he would take more chances in terms of the action sequences, to take advantage of the technology. And finally, in terms of who the villain would be, Cohen said that Cage would go up against a brother and sister – “twins who are doing terrible things.”

Currently in post-production, the film has a January 20, 2017 release date in the USA planned, via Paramount Pictures – in both 3D and 2D.

A first trailer for “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” has premiered today and is embedded below: