Vin Diesel Signs First-Look Deal With Universal Television
“Fast and Furious” star is developing a Riddick TV series as part of agreement
Joe Otterson | December 16, 2015 @ 1:58 PM
Last Updated: December 16, 2015 @ 2:24 PM
Getty Images
Vin Diesel and his company, One Race Productions, has signed a first-look producing deal with Universal Television, Universal announced Wednesday.
One Race, founded in 1995 by writer, director, producer and actor Diesel, has produced the four highest-grossing films in the “Fast and Furious” franchise: “Furious 7,” “Fast and Furious 6,” “Fast Five” as well as “Fast & Furious.”
One of the first offerings going to market will be a television series complement to Diesel and writer/director David Twohy‘s highly successful sci-fi franchise, “Riddick.”
Previously, One Race launched multiple franchises in the action genre, including the science-fiction thriller “Pitch Black” and the two follow-up films, “Chronicles of Riddick” and “Riddick,” along with the hit “xXx” and the follow up “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” which is in pre-production now.
Diesel’s has also ventured into the world of video games, where his Tigon Studios produced three console titles including “Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay” and original property “The Wheelman.”
Diesel has hired industry veteran Shana C. Waterman as One Race’s head of television. Waterman will oversee development and production under this multi-year, first-look deal.
“I have dreamt about expanding the One Race brand into television and now we’ve found the perfect creative partners in Bob, Jen and the team at Universal Television,” Diesel said. “Shana is an incredible addition to this team.”
9 Best and Worst MTV Movie Awards Moments (Photos)
Best: Amy Schumer was the perfect host -- sending up the year's biggest films with her blunt delivery, and working in a bit of her standup with some healthy plugs for her upcoming Judd Apatow comedy "Trainwreck."
MTV
Worst: The cast of "Magic Mike XXL" is nice to look at, but a random bit about how actors Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello are coming to accept sexual harassment from their female fans didn't land. Stick to dancing.
MTV
Best: Vin Diesel tugged at heartstrings by singing a few bars of "See You Again," the "Furious 7" Paul Walker tribute song by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa, before presenting the trophy for Best Female Performance.
MTV
Worst: Separately, we love Mark Wahlberg's east coast chop-busting swagger as much as we do the beautiful melodies of Jessie J. Together presenting Best Comedic Moment, however, their severe lack of chemistry is no laughing matter.
MTV
Best: Shailene Woodley took home the first award of the night for Best Female Performance in "The Fault in Our Stars" and immediately made the book's author John Green cry with a heartfelt, touching tribute. Talk about starting things off on a high note.
MTV
Worst: The "Fantastic Four" cast didn't share any new clips or trailers for their movie. Likewise, they didn't seem to share any chemistry onstage presenting the award for Best Duo.
MTV
Best: Rebel Wilson will always be herself, and she was at her Rebel Wilson-est during an appearance with her "Pitch Perfect 2" co-stars, when she strutted out in skintight leather and angel wings. Because why not?
MTV
Worst: If the comedy stylings offered up by Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara while the duo presented Best Kiss were an indicator of the kind of humor in their new movie "Hot Pursuit," it's going to be a hard sell.
MTV
Best: Robert Downey Jr. is Marvel's first and brightest star, and has long been a treasured entertainer. His Generation Award was inevitable, and he delivered by thanking his "Avengers" costars and telling youngsters to follow their dreams.
MTV
1 of 9
Vin Diesel sings, Sofia and Reese fall flat, and Shailene Woodley moves John Green to tears
Best: Amy Schumer was the perfect host -- sending up the year's biggest films with her blunt delivery, and working in a bit of her standup with some healthy plugs for her upcoming Judd Apatow comedy "Trainwreck."