Diesel out of XXX 3?

UPDATE: False. From Diesel’s publicist: “I made a few calls on this and I can tell you that it is completely not true.” So a third go-round for XXX and RIDDICK it is…

This is still in the rumor stages at this point, but a “trusted source” at Cinefools says that Vin Diesel has walked away from the third installment of XXX.

“Vin Diesel has dropped out of XXX 3. There is no word why Diesel has dropped out but I can only guess that it has something to do with Rob Cohen no longer directing the film or perhaps the rumored Riddick sequel is actually ready to roll?”

The reason this seems like more than a rumor is that it makes perfect sense. Diesel has peaced out of projects before when Cohen has walked (XXX 2 and 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS), and shit, if another RIDDICK project is ready to go? Forget about it. Vin Diesel is determined to make that thing a real sci-fi action franchise if it kills him.

This news would effectively kill the franchise, as I assume they’re not going to keep going ahead with a film called XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE after this turn of events. We’ll have more on this once it’s confirmed (or not confirmed), but I’m pretty sure it will be. Having just rewatched PITCH BLACK, I have to say I’d be more interested in a third RIDDICK than a third XXX. You?