We’ve become so used to getting all the news about the currently untitled Chronicles Of Riddick sequel from Vin Diesel’s Facebook page that it’s almost a surprise to see something crop up elsewhere. But Deadline is the site reporting that former Battlestar Galactica star Katee Sackhoff is now in final negotiations to take the female lead.

Sackhoff, who cemented her place in sci-fi history as the cigar-chomping, bar-brawling, Viper-flying Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, is locking in a deal to play Dahl, a Nordic mercenary on the hunt for Richard B. Riddick.

The actress was rumoured as being involved as far back as November last year, along with Bokeem Woodbine and Dave Bautista, but the casting process was put on hold when the finances looked a little wobbly and production on the new film was briefly shut down. Things seem to be fully back on track now, and we expect the others to sign on shortly, assuming they haven’t had to move on to other projects.

And accordingo Variety, Spanish actor Jordi Molla is also in negotiations, looking to snatch the role of Santana, another mercenary leading a crew on the hunt for the gruff hero.

They’ll all join Diesel and Karl Urban, who is reprising his role as Necromonger Vaako. With David Twohy back on writing and directing duties, Riddick (or whatever it ends up being called) should be out either later this year or mid 2013.

Sackhoff, meanwhile, has The Haunting In Georgia, Lockdown and Sexy Evil Genius set to arrive over the next year or so, and has also scored a role in TV cop drama Longmire. Let's hope at least one of those roles gives her as much meat to chew on as Starbuck did.