Thai action star Tony Jaa has signed a deal to join the muscular cast of xXx 3: The Return of Xander Cage, Revolution Studios’ reboot of the early 2000s action spy franchise.
The deal comes on the heels of martial arts star Jet Li closing his deal to join the Vin Diesel project which is heading towards a February production shoot in Toronto and the Dominican Republic.
The martial arts maven now joins a Li, Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and Orange Is the New Black breakout Ruby Rose as well as Samuel L. Jackson.
Jaa's character description is being kept secret but action will be the name of the game.
"Tony Jaa joining the cast of xXx3: The Return of Xander Cage further demonstrates the level of extreme athleticism and action that we are going to deliver to audiences," said Revolution CEO Vince Totino. "The fans have been asking for it and our goal is to deliver it."
"The xXx franchise is known for spy plots, espionage twists, government turns and extreme action; with Tony now part of that formula, he rounds out the cast that won’t disappoint,” said Revolution COO Scott Hemming.
Jaa’s involvement had been rumored since December but the complicated negotiations only closed last night, according do sources.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum are producing the movie along with Diesel and his producing partner, Samantha Vincent, who is also his sister. Totino and Hemming of Revolution, which was rebooted two years when it was bought by hedge fund Fortress, are shepherding actor and distributor deals for the film.
And while no distribution deal is set, Paramount remains the likely home for the pic.
Jaa is repped by Gersh, Bloom Hergott, and co-managers Mike Selby and Link Entertainment.