Universal Television signs Vin Diesel to expand the Riddick franchise.
Vin Diesel’s One Race Television signed a first-look production deal with Universal Television for a first look at a Riddick series. When it was first released, Diesel and writer/director David Twohy’s Pitch Black was only a minor hit at the box office. The three Riddick films have built a cult following.
“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 in a statement. “Shana is an incredible addition to this team.”
Writer, director, producer and actor Diesel produced the four highest-grossing films in Fast & Furious franchise: Furious 7, Fast and Furious 6, Fast Five and Fast & Furious. The franchise earned $3.9 billion at the worldwide box-office. He launched One Race Television in 1995.
“In addition to being a huge star for our feature division, Vin is a true creative force as a producer,” Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. After sitting down with him and his team at One Race Television, it’s clear he will now also be an incredible asset to both the network and our television studio. We feel really fortunate to be in business with, not only an international powerhouse, but a truly thoughtful and passionate producer.”
Diesel also announced that he hired former Senior Vice President, Event Series at Fox Broadcasting Co. Shana C. Waterman as Head of TV. Waterman will oversee development and production under this multi-year, first-look deal.
Waterman produced long-form series including 24: Live Another Day and Wayward Pines. She commissioned the upcoming specials, Grease Live and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Waterman also oversaw the series Fringe, Glee, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Raising Hope, The Mindy Project and House.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the exceptionally smart, innovative team Vin’s built at One Race,” Waterman said in a statement. “Both he and fellow producer Samantha Vincent, alongside their partners at Universal, have grown a formidable global brand ready-made for this diverse and highly creative time in the world of television.”
One Race has so far produced action franchises. They produced the science-fiction thriller Pitch Black and the two follow-up films, Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick. They also produced the hit xXx. They currently are in preproduction on the follow up xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
Diesel directed Multifacial, Strays and Los Bandoleros. Diesel’s Tigon Studios produces three critically acclaimed gaming console titles including Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and original property The Wheelman.