After 9 years, David Twohy gave the fans what they wanted, Riddick, the third chapter in the sci-fi franchise that includes the previous films, Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick. Vin Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter known in the galaxy. This time around, Riddick is left for dead on an abandoned planet, where he struggles to stay alive, and must find the man he was before becoming Lord Marshall.

Although going back to the R-rated world cost them to be backed by a major studio, Twohy is glad that they took the risk. “As a filmmaker, I feel like I have the flexibility I need to do what I want,” he said in a recent press conference. He also added, “it plants a flag in the ground for the fans, it lets them know that we are true to the character and we are true to the nature of this series.”

Diesel, who was also a Producer on the film, knew the stakes were higher by taking the independent film route. “If it didn’t work, I would have lost my house. Everything I had on my life was leveraged to make this movie,” he said. Social media fans played a key role in making this film a reality, Diesel felt committed to answer their request to continue this character. He added, “the reality is that I always envisioned the Riddick franchise as a continuing mythology, so I always imagined that there would be many other films to follow.”

Preparing to play Riddick, become the character and go to the dark place he’s in was very important for Diesel. “With where Riddick is now in this movie, and his state of mind in this movie, I went to the woods for four months and prepared by basically being a recluse. I prepared the inner core of the character,” he said.

The film also stars Jordi Molla, Matt Nable, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Raoul Trujillo and Nolan Gerard Funk, as part of the two groups of mercenaries and bounty hunters looking for Riddick.

For Diesel, creating a balance between the actor and the producer is key. “I try to create an environment where, when we step on set, we’re all in character,” he said. Taking it back to his Dungeons & Dragons days and going with a similar approach Diesel adds, “when you come onto the set, everything should be focused around your character and you should stay in the pocket, as much as possible. Every actor has their own process. For me, I really need to stay in the pocket. So, if I’m on set and I’m in character, I’m not thinking like a producer. If I’m on set and I’m not in character, wardrobe and make-up, and I’m just coming on set for the moments I’m not shooting, then I’m able to be the producer.”

Fans get ready, because there is Riddick for at least two more films, and Diesel is not going anywhere. In fact, he jokes, “tell David [Twohy] to give me the goddamn script for the next one, right now. He’s late! I was expecting it yesterday.”

Rule the Dark with Riddick - in theaters September 6!