Paramount Pictures issued a terse denial. "No production under that title has been authorized." Vin Diesel’s Instagram posted a gym selfie with the caption, "Family is eternal. But Xander? He's retired." The director of xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), D.J. Caruso, tweeted, "Fake news. Probably deepfake AI."

"Studio says no. Cameras say yes. Watch before the lawyers find us."

"Family," Diesel said, his voice low. "You found the breadcrumbs. The studio said no. The budget was too high. The story was too dangerous. But FilmyFly... they don't ask for permission. They ask for more ."