“ Den of Thieves ” fans might not have to wait another seven years between sequels.

Gerard Butler is expected to return to star and produce via his G-Base banner, which he runs with Alan Siegel. Tucker Tooley Entertainment will produce the next installment in the action-heist franchise as well, after financing and producing the first film and bringing it to Lionsgate and STX. Tucker Tooley will also produce.

Pantera," Lionsgate is moving a third film in the action series starring Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson, Jr. into active development. Butler and Jackson are expected to return for the threequel, and Lionsgate is in talks with franchise writer-director Christian Gudegast to return to write and direct.

Den Of Thieves introduced the world to Butler’s Detective Nick O’Brien, a.k.a. Big Nick, a brash cop who crossed paths with a criminal mastermind, Donnie (Jackson). In the sequel, the rivals move from opposite sides of the law to the same team as Nick joins Donnie’s crew in Europe for his latest score.

Lionsgate, Tucker Tooley Entertainment and G-BASE are moving a third film in the “Den of Thieves” franchise into active development. “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” opened in the No. 1 spot at the North American box office and has grossed more than $32 million at the domestic box office to date.