With the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise a money making machine, RIDDICK coming later this year and the recent announcement that he’d be voicing Groot in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, it’s a good time to be Vin Diesel. Now you can add another science fiction role to his resume as the actor has just signed on to lead the ensemble action film SOLDIERS OF THE SUN from GRACE OF MONACO director Arash Amel. Although Amel is better known now for his biopics on Grace Kelly and another one he has centered on actress Ingrid Bergman, he originally got his feet wet with science fiction.
The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future (aren’t they all these days?) and will follow a team of soldiers searching for a mythical city of gold in Mexico. Along the way, they have to battle Orcs (aliens, hopefully the name will change). Universal is hoping this will turn into a franchise and if Vin Diesel likes one thing, it’s sequels. Vin Diesel will also be producing the film over at Universal Pictures, who also handle his Furious franchise. There’s no word on when filming will start. (THR)