Actor Vin Diesel says his return to the universe of Riddick could be the first step toward a new movie franchise for him and Universal Pictures.

Diesel joined director David Twohy on stage at Comic Con today to promote the upcoming third installment, Riddick.

The film reunites Diesel and Twohy, who worked together thirteen years ago on the hit movie Pitch Black. The character came back in a sequel that didn’t do as well at the box-office.

But with the band getting back together, it’s hoped that this could be the launching point for a franchise.

Twohy wrote the script on spec and the movie raised financing at Berlin’s European Film Market. Universal came back on board to distribute.

Diesel said that the tentpole nature necessitated the second movie be PG-13, but this one contains more R-rated fare.

“When the audience wanted it rated R, we knew we didn’t have to spend $200 million to make this movie,” said Diesel, which helped lower the risk.

And the early buzz is that the movie pays tribute to the low-key original and the epic mythology introduced in the sequel.

“I think we did good job of paying off past debts and moving it into new territories,” said Twohy.

Diesel also spoke of his own personal changes since making the initial Riddick movie. The actor is now a father and admitted to having (occasional) second thoughts when it comes to Riddick and his actions.

“I feel guilty for having such a darkness in that character. Now I go, ‘That wasn’t needed, you shouldn’t have killed that guy.’ It’s only because I have kids now.”