Ever since 2005’s charming action-comedy The Pacifier, I’ve been hoping that Vin Diesel would someday return to the pleasing-yet-forgettable PG-rated family realm of films. Now, it seems that I may be getting my wish, as Diesel will star in and produce new action-comedy film called Muscle. As noted by Variety, One Race Films’ Samantha Vincent will also serve as a producer, along with Reginald Hudlin and Byron Phillips, while STX Entertainment will release the film.
“I’ve known Vin for more than a decade after working closely with him on the Fast and Furious franchise, and I’m excited for him to return to this genre,” said Adam Fogelson, STX film chairman, in a statement released by the company. “Muscle is the perfect blend of action and comedy that his millions of devoted fans around the world have come to love him for, and we believe has the potential to become his next big, signature franchise.”
Details are scarce at the moment, and a director, writer, and start-date for filming have yet to be disclosed by STX. Plot details are similarly vague, but in my mind-palace I imagine that Diesel’s character will get hired by some nerdy-yet-lovable teenagers in order to protect them from school bullies. Think Drillbit Taylor, only totally different, since he’ll be the hired muscle, and he has lots of muscles, and he’ll drive a muscle car. In my damaged mind, the Muscle title works on many levels.
Diesel is currently keeping himself busy by voicing Groot in box-office sensation Avengers: Infinity War, and he’s preparing for huge upcoming slate of movies. He will be starring in Fast & Furious 9 & 10, xXx4, Furia (where he will reprise his role as anti-hero Riddick), and Sony’s Bloodshot, which is based on Valiant’s comic book superhero. Where Muscle fits into this jam-packed schedule is a mystery, but with STX’s franchise-potential vision, I’m sure it will happen sooner rather than later.
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