Catherine Hardwicke is in talks to direct Columbia's big-screen version of James Patterson’s best-selling novel series “Maximum Ride."

The story focuses on six kids who underwent genetic modification to be 98 percent human and 2 percent bird. After escaping from the laboratories they’re held at, the children are pursued by a gang of werewolves sent to track them down.

Don Payne, screenwriter of “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” is writing the script.

Columbia is eyeing an entire franchise if this film succeeds. No word on how many films the studio is planning at this stage.

Hardwicke last directed Summit's "Twilight," but she won't return for the sequel, "New Moon." Her credits also include "Thirteen" and "Lords of Dogtown."

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

I don't think anyone out there really misses him, but Richard B. Riddick may soon return to the big screen... twice. Yes, you read right. Actor Vin Diesel recently told MTV News he thinks there'll be two more "Riddick" flicks. 

“David Twohy right now is writing the scripts. The only question is whether we take a page from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ guys and try to shoot the two chapters at the same time. There are two more in mind,” Diesel told MTV.

Before I move on, let's briefly look at what Riddick accomplished in theaters so far. Twohy's "Pitch Black" was produced on an estimated budget of $23 million and ended up making $39.2 million domestically, according to IMDb. The follow-up, "The Chronicles of Riddick," had a budget of $110 million but only pulled in $57.6 million.

Now, do we really need two more films? As far as Diesel is concerned, he's very excited about the potential sequels, primarily because he has a deep passion for his character. But how are excited are you? Do you really want to find out what happens to Riddick? Or couldn't you care less? Sound off below.

Click here if you're interested in what else Diesel had to say about all this.