xXx: Return of Xander Cage has more to offer than action and testosterone. The film offers a varied cast, guaranteed to connect with a wider audience than ever before as those behind the characters showcase their talents on the big screen. Made up of actors with different nationalities, including women in less-than-stereotypical roles and of course featuring Vin Diesel front-and-centre; there’s something for everyone.
It was important for director D.J. Caruso that his cast didn’t change much about themselves, but would bring something unique to the film. He liked how their personalities mismatched and their accents contrasted, making the cast a distinctive and memorable ensemble.
But where have we seen some of the famous faces in the movie before? Take a look below for a reminder…
Nina Dobrev
Before making strategic plans to capture the bad guys, Nina Dobrev appeared in hit television series The Vampire Diaries. In the lead role of protagonist Elena, the actress rose to fame in the popular teen drama, keeping fans hooked throughout eight lengthy and addictive seasons. Forming a dangerous romance with handsome vampires, Elena would go on to expose herself to supernatural dangers in her hometown of Mystic Falls. Her role in xXx: Return of Xander Cage couldn’t be further away from this particular mantle.
Ruby Rose
Hollywood snapped up Ruby Rose as quickly as they could, with the actress snapping up roles in Jack Wick: Chapter 2 and Pitch Perfect 3 as well as upcoming release, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. If you recognise Ruby Rose, it may be because you’re a fan of Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, in which she starred as Stella Carlin in season four. With a blasé cool-girl attitude, Ruby brings that side of her personality to the big screen in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika has been one of the biggest faces in Bollywood for some time now, having starred in the 2013 movies Chennai Express and Ram-Leela, before also featuring in 2014’s Happy New Year. Able to showcase her numerous talents which stretch beyond acting to dancing and intense, choreographed fighting scenes, there’s no doubt Hollywood will be calling this talented rising star back again for more movies soon.
Rory McCann
Scottish Rory McCann plaus Tennyson Torch in the new xXx film. At six feet, six inches, the actor will be thrown around in a number of big, high-profile stunts throughout the movie, but if you get a good look of his face when he’s not being flung through the air, you may recognise him from hit fantasy series Game of Thrones. In the callus and gruff role of The Hound, he’s managed to keep his life throughout the first six chaotic seasons of the show, so with those survival skills we’ll be hoping to see him make it to the end of the new xXx film.
Tony Jaa
Tony Jaa has previously worked alongside Vin Diesel, starring as one of the actor’s opponents in the film Furious 7. An epic fight scene against Paul Walker takes place in the movie, with Tony delivering some swift and fast fists during two encounters against the late actor. So talented within his fighting is he, that he’s impressed the likes of Jackie Chan and Rush Hour 3 director Brett Ratner. He’ll no doubt have viewers on the edge of their seats when he takes centre-stage in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen has also featured in box-office hit Hero (2002) alongside Jet Li. The two had a mesmerising fight scene that flowed beautifully against the setting of a dripping chess arena. Donnie replaced Jet Li for the role of the villainous Xiang, making him a contender for the greatest martial-arts movie star of our time. He’s also more recently stepped into the mantle of the blind samurai in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
XXX: Return of Xander Cage hits UK cinemas on January 19, following in US theaters on January 20.