Liam Neeson is making a deal for 'Taken 3'.
Despite previously dismissing the idea, the 61-year-old actor has reportedly entered negotiations to star in a third instalment of Luc Besson's popular franchise after the 2012 sequel proved a box office hit, grossing $374 million worldwide.
While 'Taken 2' was critically panned, it was popular with viewers, who were keen to revisit the excitement of the action-packed original 2008 film, which followed a retired CIA agent on a mission to save his daughter who was kidnapped during a trip to Paris.
According to Deadline.com, Neeson has been offered a $20million pay check to reprise his role as protective dad Bryan Mills. Maggie Grace is expected to return as his daughter, while Famke Janssen looks set to portray his ex-wife once again.
Besson and his writing partner Robert Mark Kamen have set to work on the script for the new movie, but no director is attached as yet.
Quizzed about the potential for a third film, Neeson recently told Empire magazine: "I don't see it. I don't think it's going to happen. I really don't. I can't see a possible scenario where audiences wouldn't go, 'Oh, come on...! She's taken again?'"
However, since the sequel proved more popular than the Pierre Morel-directed original, which grossed $226 million worldwide, it appears the film has been given the green light.
Besson and his EuropaCorp company are hoping to begin filming in February 2014.
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