Indian superstar Deepika Padukone has been cast opposite Vin Diesel in "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage." According to Variety, she'll play "razor-sharp huntress" who helps Diesel's Cage in his mission.

Padukone joins a cast in that also includes Ruby Rose, Nina Dobrev, Jet Li and Samuel L. Jackson.

Directed by D.J. Caruso, the long-awaited follow-up 2005’s "xXx: State of the Union" sees Diesel return the extreme-sports enthusiast/stuntman turned reluctant CIA, a role he originated in 2002's "xXx" (he didn't appear in "State of the Union," which was a box-office flop).

Production is set to begin later this month.