- Title: Vin Diesel and new "xXx" cast attend European premiere
- Date: 11th January 2017
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JANUARY 10, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF ACTOR VIN DIESEL POSING FOR PHOTOS AT FILM PREMIERE DIESEL WITH FANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR, VIN DIESEL, SAYING: "It wasn't the cast that made me [want to get in shape], it was the character, it was playing a character that is an individual in the way that Xander is, a thrill seeker in the way that Xander is. He enjoys life in a way that other characters I play might not. And so it was kind of getting in that thrill seeking physique that motivated me." FANS HOLDING SIGNS FOR ACTRESS NINA DOBREV VARIOUS OF DOBREV POSING FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS, NINA DOBREV, SAYING: "Kind of, by accident. She's still not a badass like the rest of the women in the film but I kind of like that about her, she's really quirky and clumsy and she doesn't want to be out in the field, she doesn't want to be in the action, but of course she ends up there and it's hilarious to watch her fumble through the whole mess." VARIOUS OF ACTRESS RUBY ROSE POSING FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS, RUBY ROSE, SAYING: "Yeah it was important, and also like why would there be a damsel in distress, come on, women are way too strong, women give birth for goodness sake. I mean we are just built strong. And this film really celebrates that and really shows everyone's individual character strengths and skillsets." FANS ACTRESS DEEPIKA PADUKONE POSING FOR PHOTOS MEDIA CREWS PADUKONE SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS, DEEPIKA PADUKONE, SAYING: "It was exactly the same. I was nervous before I left India but once I got there, I realised for me that the experience was exactly the same, the same love, the same enthusiasm, the same warmth. And what an incredible experience." VARIOUS OF ACTOR DONNIE YEN POSING FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR, DONNIE YEN, SAYING: "I spent a lot training on my physique because knowing [that I was] going up against Vin Diesel, plus coming out of 'Rogue One', I know that this is another type of style of action film, I'm playing a different character. And again, going up against Vin, as you know he's got this massive, macho physique, so I'm a smaller guy, you know, but at least I wanted to show fans that my physique can match him." ACTOR AND MARTIAL ARTIST TONY JAA POSING FOR PHOTOS JAA SPEAKING TO REPORTER PEOPLE AT PREMIERE SIGN READING (English): "EUROPEAN PREMIERE. XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE"
- Embargoed: 25th January 2017 10:02
- Keywords: Vin Diesel Ruby Rose Donnie Yen Nina Dobrev Deepika Padukone xXx xXx: Return of Xander Cage
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA0025YHWMRX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Vin Diesel marked his return to the "xXx" franchise at the European premiere of "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" in London on Tuesday night (January 10).
Diesel, also known for the "Fast & Furious" series, first appeared as crime fighting government agent Xander Cage in 2002's "xXx". He skipped the sequel "xXx2: The Next Level", which was led by Ice Cube and Willem Dafoe, but has now made a comeback in the third instalment.
According to studio Paramount Pictures, this chapter of the blockbuster franchise sees Cage end his self-imposed exile in order to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon called Pandora's Box. Cage recruits an all-new group of fellow adrenaline junkies and together they try to battle the mysterious enemy forces.
Besides the addition of actresses Ruby Rose, Nina Dobrev and Deepika Padukone, the revamped cast of "Return of Xander Cage" also includes established martial arts stars Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa and Michael Bisping.
When asked whether having former athletes on set put pressure on his fitness regime, Diesel told Reuters: "It wasn't the cast...it was the character, it was playing a character that is an individual in the way that Xander is, a thrill seeker in the way that Xander is. He enjoys life in a way that other characters I play might not. And so it was kind of getting in that thrill seeking physique that motivated me."
Meanwhile Yen said acting alongside Diesel actually made him more conscious of his physique.
"Going up against Vin, as you know he's got this massive, macho physique, so I'm a smaller guy, you know, but at least I wanted to show fans that my physique can match him."
This "xXx" movie doesn't limit the action scenes to its male stars - the female leads are just as involved in the fights and shoot outs.
"Why would there be a damsel in distress, come on, women are way too strong, women give birth for goodness sake. I mean we are just built strong. And this film really celebrates that and really shows everyone's individual character strengths and skillsets," said Rose.
"xXx: Return of Xander Cage" begins it global theatrical rollout from January 18. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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