SAMUEL L JACKSON - JACKSON SIGNS ON FOR XXX SEQUEL

Movie hardman SAMUEL L JACKSON has inked a deal to reprise his role in the sequel to VIN DIESEL thriller XXX.

The PULP FICTION star - who played secret agent AUGUSTUS GIBBONS in the 2002 blockbuster - will start work on the movie next year, with DIE ANOTHER DAY director LEE TAMAHORI taking over the project from filmmaker ROB COHEN.

Another change in the line-up is rapper ICE CUBE, who is replacing Diesel as the lead character. THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS star will executive produce the project instead.