MOVIE NEWS – Twenty years ago, one of the most infamous flops in the history of science fiction cinema hit theaters. Against all odds, the franchise survived thanks to the determination of its lead star, and a long-awaited fourth entry is now on its way. It’s nothing short of a miracle that this saga is still alive after the crushing failure of its most ambitious chapter.

In Hollywood, it’s common for a flop to bury a franchise, especially one that was intended to spawn multiple sequels. But exceptions exist, and today we look back at The Chronicles of Riddick, a science fiction movie that bombed at the box office in 2004. Against expectations, the saga endured thanks to its star’s persistence, and soon, its fourth film will hit theaters.

The Chronicles of Riddick was conceived as a massive follow-up to the cult hit Pitch Black. With its budget ballooning from $23 million to $120 million, Universal bet big, hoping it could launch the next great sci-fi franchise while capitalizing on Vin Diesel’s newfound popularity.

A Sinking Giant

With a bigger budget, director David Twohy aimed higher in story and visuals. While it remains the top-grossing entry in the series with $115.9 million worldwide, it fell short of covering its massive production costs. Releasing just a week after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban doomed it further, as it never even reached number one in the U.S. Its $24.2 million opening weekend quickly collapsed into failure.

At that point, the franchise seemed finished, with only the animated midquel The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury bridging the two films before fading into obscurity. But Vin Diesel pulled off a bold move that kept Riddick alive.

An Improbable Resurrection

Universal wanted Diesel in Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift, but the actor pushed for another Riddick installment. He even offered $10 million to acquire the rights, but the studio refused. The compromise: Diesel would make a cameo in Tokyo Drift, and in return, Universal handed him the rights to the supposedly worthless franchise.

After years focused on Fast & Furious, Diesel finally returned in 2013 with Riddick. Made for $38 million, it earned $98.3 million worldwide, proving there was still an audience if costs were kept under control.

Riddick 4 on the Horizon

Though Riddick wasn’t a blockbuster, it kept the series alive long enough for a fourth film to emerge. After years of rumors, production on Riddick: Furya began in late August 2024, with a release expected in 2026. Reports suggest a budget similar to the last film, and it’s remarkable that a franchise once considered dead in 2004 is still breathing. The only question: will this be the final chapter, or do Diesel and Twohy have more in store?

Source: Espinof