xXx: The Return of Xander Cage is putting a foot forward with Terminator Salvation writers Michael Ferris and John Brancato in early negotiations to write a script that will reteam Vin Diesel with director Rob Cohen.

According to Variety, the writing team began talks after pitching their take last Friday for a new installment in the action series to Columbia Pictures presidents Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad.

Producer Joe Roth got Diesel and Cohen to agree to a reteam earlier this year. Columbia moved quickly to lock up the property, getting first look because of its past relationship with xXx generator Revolution Studios. Diesel and Cohen teamed on the 2002 original, which starred Diesel as an extreme sports enthusiast drafted by the government for a dangerous mission.

Diesel and Cohen sat out the first sequel, XXX: State of the Union, which starred Ice Cube and was directed by Lee Tamahori.

No production date has been set.