Riddick 4: Furya Movie Preview

Vin Diesel is best known for roles such as Xander Cage in "Triple X" or Dom Toretto in "Fast & Furious". But even before that, he caused quite a sensation with an iconic appearance: As intergalactic warrior Richard B. Riddick. Now, he finally returns in a fourth film. In this KinoCheck Original, we take a look at the legendary series and the upcoming action blockbuster "Riddick 4: Furya"!

A Brief Overview of the Previous Movies

"Pitch Black" (2000)

The science fiction series kicked off in the year 2000 with "Pitch Black". There, Riddick is introduced as a convicted criminal who has been captured by bounty hunters. However, the prisoner transport has to make an emergency landing on a desert planet. There lives a pack of bloodthirsty creatures that only attack in the dark. Well, too bad that a solar eclipse is just about to occur...

With box office takings of 53 million dollars, the film was not yet a major blockbuster, but quickly became an insider tip among fans of action-packed science fiction films.

"The Chronicles of Riddick" (2004)

The second movie, "The Chronicles of Riddick", followed in 2004. This moved the franchise from a dark horror film to an epic science fiction universe. Here, Riddick becomes involved in an interplanetary war in which the ruthless Necromongers attempt to conquer the universe under the command of Lord Marshal. Riddick learns that he is the last survivor of the so-called Furyans.

Compared to "Pitch Black", "The Chronicles of Riddick" was a much bigger movie. It expanded the mythology surrounding Riddick and his world and introduced a variety of new characters and locations. Nevertheless, reactions to this installment were mixed - some fans appreciated the epic storytelling, while others criticized the lack of the claustrophobic, dark atmosphere of its predecessor.

At 115 million US dollars, the sequel grossed more than twice as much as part 1. But part 1 was also produced significantly cheaper and was thus a financial success. Part 2 is said to have cost around 100 to 120 million and is therefore deemed a financial flop.

"Riddick" (2013)

After an almost ten-year break, the anti-hero returned in 2013 with the third installment simply called "Riddick". This movie revisited the roots of the series by focusing on Riddick's solitary struggle for survival. Here, he is betrayed by his own people and abandoned on a hostile planet, where he has to deal with all kinds of creatures and bounty hunters.

"Riddick" was more successful with fans than the previous film and was celebrated by many as a welcome return to its old glory. It was also a hit at the box office: the reduced budget of 38 million dollars resulted in box office takings of almost 100 million.

What "Riddick 4: Furya" Is All About

So 10 years after part 3, "Riddick: Furya" was finally announced in 2023. Although details about the plot of "Riddick 4" are still scarce, it is of course once again about the eponymous anti-hero. According to initial information about the story, he returns to his home planet of Furya, of which he has no memory. Although they are thought to be extinct, he meets other Furyans on site - but their existence is threatened by a new monster. What's more, Riddick learns that he probably has more in common with these Furyans than he first thought.

Behind the Scenes

The meanwhile 57-year-old action star Vin Diesel will once again take on the title role. It is not yet known who else will be in front of the camera alongside Diesel. In charge of the screenplay and direction is David Twohy. He has been directing the series since the very first film in 2000. Shooting for "Riddick 4: Furya" has been ongoing since August 2024 and the first images from the set are already available as well: the titular character Riddick can be seen on a rock face and inside a vehicle in the desert.

Is There a Release Date?

Should filming progress quickly, the movie could possibly be released in the second half of 2025. However, there is no concrete theatrical release date for "Riddick 4: Furya" yet. We hope that the sequel can keep up with its predecessors in terms of severity and darkness - and, of course, that Vin Diesel is still able to deliver a convincing performance in the role of the super cool warrior.