(L to R) Vin Diesel, Director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of ‘Fast X.’
Preview:
Vin Diesel has announced the next ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Louis Leterrier will direct the movie.
Like a backfiring jalopy with engine trouble, there have been several frustrating false starts for the next –– and most likely final –– ‘Fast & Furious’ movie.
Despite multiple announcements (including more than one from star, producer and ‘Fast’ cheerleader Vin Diesel) about different dates, budget wrangling and schedule issues have given the potential franchise wrap-up flat tires along the way.
QQzr1mlNX9taNeEHrC9Cs3
Now, though, it appears that everyone is on the same page (or maybe dirt track?) as both Diesel and studio backers Universal have announced that the new movie, now called ‘Fast Forever’ will be with us in 2028.
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The typically stunt-heavy final minutes of 2023’s ‘Fast X’ show Diesel’s Dom Toretto driving down the side of a dam and into the water below, as he and his son, Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), race to escape a trap set by the villainous Dante (Jason Momoa), who arms a series of bombs. Then the movie cuts to black.
Two credit scenes follow, teasing the returns of Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Gal Gadot‘s Gisele.
Universal has confirmed that the movie will be screeching into cinemas on March 17, 2028.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
(L to R) Jack Black and Paul Rudd star in ‘Anaconda’.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jack Black and Paul Rudd about their work on ‘Anaconda’, their first reaction to the screenplay and meta-approach to the reboot, finally working together on a film, and why fans need to see it in a theater.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.
Moviefone: To begin with, what would you both say to movie goers sitting down right now in a theater to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about to have?
Jack Black: Now, I got to prepare you with a warning. If you are susceptible to jump scares, if you are terrified easily, if you have a heart condition, don’t see this movie, because it is legit scary. If you have an aversion to laughter, if something makes you laugh too hard and you might pass out, do not go to this movie. It is huge laughs and huge scares. You have been warned.
MF: Paul, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and this meta-approach to rebooting the franchise?
Paul Rudd: So, my reaction was just giddiness. I loved it. I thought it was funny and original. It was such a fun read that I went back and just read it again and it was enjoyable. I also knew that it was made and written by the guys that did ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’, which was a movie that I loved and saw four times. So, one of the things that I loved about that movie was it was very clever and self-aware. Nicolas Cage is so funny playing himself and I loved how this thing starts to weirdly morph into a Nicolas Cage movie, like an action movie. I thought it was just a very clever approach. So that these guys were taking another similarly unique and funny way to deal with movie remakes, but it’s not really a remake. It’s commenting on a lot of that stuff and doing it in a very meta and funny way.
MF: Jack, what was your reaction to this unusual approach to rebooting ‘Anaconda’?
Jack Black: I was like, dude, if we can make a movie that’s half as compelling and funny and interesting as ‘Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’, then sign me up. Because I saw that movie and I was like, holy cannoli, I’m jealous.
MF: Jack, you have appeared in the same movies as Paul before, but never starred opposite him in a film. What was it like to get to finally work together on a big scale comedy like this?
Jack Black: I mean, that was a big draw for me because I’ve always felt like me and Paul would be great together. I’ve been a huge fan of his as he knows, I tell him.
MF: Finally, Paul, anything you want to add about having a chance to work with Jack after all these years.
Paul Rudd: It makes people uncomfortable how much Jack and I fawn over one another like broken records. You want me to fawn over Jack? Easy. Per square inch, there isn’t a person out there that has more talent packed in to one gorgeous case. Jack is a talent tornado. He’s a comedy tsunami. He’s not just an actor. He’s not just a comedian. He’s not just a rock God. He’s the kindest, most brilliant, beautiful human being and those are rare in this business. If you ask anybody who’s met him, they’ll say the same thing. He’s a unicorn. So, anytime this comes around, I’m ready to jump on those coattails like that.
Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd), seeking to recapture their youth, travel to the Amazon to film an amateur remake of the 1997 film ‘Anaconda’. Their project unravels when a real giant anaconda emerges, turning the light-hearted shoot into a perilous fight to stay alive.
Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior are joining ‘Violent Night 2’.
David Harbour returns as a Santa.
Tommy Wirkola is directing once more.
You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout… I’m telling you why: as we learned way back in January 2023, a sequel to 2022’s festive themed action comedy ‘Violent Night’ was reported as in development.
Harbour, of course, returns as the grumpy Santa Claus who has a propensity for dishing out a little of the ol’ ultraviolence to anyone who makes his naughty list.
Tommy Wirkola (‘Dead Snow’) is back calling the shots (and punches, and hits to the baubles), while the sequel’s script comes from the writers of the original, Pat Casey and Josh Miller.
‘Violent Night’ starred Harbour as a version of Santa who is feeling a little jaded about the whole Christmas thing after centuries of delivering presents to increasingly ungrateful kids.
A Norse warrior lord before he was tapped to don the red suit and bring joy to the world, he’s tired of lists asking for cash or video games, and of competing with Amazon. Plus, the genuine “thank yous” are few and far between.
So when he stumbles into a hostage situation at the Lightstone family compound, where the wealthy Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo) and her grown kids, in-laws and grandchildren have gathered to celebrate a typically passive-aggressive Christmas, he’s initially more concerned with raiding the liquor cabinet than helping out, he’s moved by young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady) to take down the villain known as Scrooge (John Leguizamo) and his goons.
There are zero details on what the sequel will feature, besides presumably Harbour’s less-than-Jolly Old Saint Nick putting a beat down on some new threats.
Will Bell be a villain? Someone Santa has to save? And what of Melchior (who, after all, shares a name with a Biblical wise man associated with Christmas)? Looks like we’ll all have to act like kids on Christmas Eve and wait to see what this new cine-gift has to offer.
Where else can we see Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior?
Kristen Bell in 2014’s ‘Veronica Mars’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Bell popped up in a cameo as herself in the most recent season of ‘Hacks’, but beyond that was the star of Netflix comedy drama series ‘Nobody Wants This’ in 2024. The show returns to the streaming service for Season 2 on October 23rd this year.
She’ll also reprise the key role of Anna in ‘Frozen III’, due in theaters on November 24th, 2027.
Despite being beloved now, the original ‘Road House’ was not a great movie. Really, it was a “so bad its good” movie and has since become a nostalgic classic thanks mostly to Patrick Swayze’s bizarrely serious performance in a film that didn’t deserve that much effort. So, what happens when you remake an essentially bad movie? You just get another bad movie!
Removing all the mystery behind the character of Dalton, his Eastern philosophy, and the unintentional humor, the result is a paint-by-numbers action film that never really works on any other level. Despite some unique direction in the fight scenes from filmmaker Doug Liman, and a charming and strong performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, ‘Road House’ will leave viewers unsatisfied and longing for the silliness of the original.
The movie begins by introducing us to the character of Elwood Dalton (adding a new first name for the remake), played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Dalton is a down-on-his-luck ex-UFC fighter who accidentally killed an opponent in the ring, and now cannot get anyone to fight him. He soon meets Frankie (Jessica Williams), who owns a bar in the Florida Keys called “The Road House.” (Yes, that’s now the name of the bar and its never really explained why.) Some locals are causing trouble, and she hires Dalton, who unlike the original has no experience bouncing, to clean up her establishment.
Upon his arrival, Dalton befriends a young girl named Charlie (Hannah Love Lanier) and her father, as well as some of the other Road House employees and a local doctor named Ellie (Daniel Melchoir), who he begins a relationship with. After expelling some of the riff raff from the bar, Dalton discovers that rich businessman Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen) is behind the trouble and is trying to get Frankie to sell him the bar so he can tear it down and build a luxury hotel. Having his hands full with Dalton, Brandt hires a madman named Knox (played by real UFC fighter Conor McGregor) to take him out.
The updates to the story only work to eliminate any of the humor and charm of the original movie and make this a more standard action movie. Dalton’s UFC background is an interesting 2024 addition, but completely strips Dalton of the mystery that made the character interesting in the first place. In 1989’s ‘Road House,’ Patrick Swayze’s Dalton was a professional bouncer, and had a philosophy (“Be Nice”) that formed his personality. He was also a mysterious character, with no first name, no home to call his own and a sorted past. The new film tries to establish itself as a modern Western but fails on many levels.
While I liked the idea of adding the UFC background, it doesn’t work and strips the character of everything that made him unique in the original. If director Doug Liman wanted to make a movie about an ex-UFC fighter troubled by what happened in the ring, he should have just made that movie and left the ‘Road House’ franchise alone. Again, it’s not like the original was some great movie no one should touch, but if you are going to remake it, try to include some of what made the first movie popular over the decades.
I will give Liman credit for some fun and exciting fight sequences, both in the ring and out. For Dalton’s UFC flashback scenes, (and again, we don’t want to know about Dalton’s past, we want it to be a mystery, but I digress) Liman wisely shot during a real UFC fight and those scenes were excellent. Liman has the camera right in the ring and you feel every punch and kick. The fight scenes in the bar are great too, especially when Dalton and Knox face off. Liman uses a Steadicam for those sequences and rarely cuts, giving off the illusion of one long take. But there are other fight sequences that seemed more contrived, like when Dalton first fights the bikers, in a very ‘Jack Reacher,’ “Are you sure you want to do this” type of way.
This movie belongs to Jake Gyllenhaal, as he’s the only one giving a decent performance. While I don’t agree with many of the changes that they made to the character and the story, you can’t help but root for Gyllenhaal’s Dalton. The actor captures much of the charm and charisma that Swayze had in the original, while also being physically believable.
We’ve seen the actor physically transform before, playing a boxer in the excellent ‘Southpaw,’ so his action scenes are completely believable. Now, I expect that in real life Gyllenhaal would be no match for Conor McGregor, but you do think that while outmatched, Dalton does have a chance against Knox, and that is because Gyllenhaal is so believable in the role.
Speaking of McGregor, he’s also fun in the movie thanks to his wild character and performance. Physically, he is exactly the type of person you need in a movie like this, and he is clearly having fun playing his cartoonish yet dangerous character.
Daniela Melchior plays Ellie, Dalton’s love interest, a role played by Kelly Lynch in the original. Melchior is a great actress and was excellent in ‘The Suicide Squad,’ but is let down here by the screenplay. She has nice chemistry with Gyllenhaal, but is never really allowed to explore it, not in the way Swayze and Lynch did in the original and their relationship is never established enough to work when the script needs it to in the final act.
In fact, all the female roles are underwritten, which was disappointing to say the least. The role of Frankie the bar owner was gender-swapped from the original, but Jessie Williams is given almost nothing to do but recruit Dalton and seems to disappear halfway through the film. They hint at an attraction between Dalton and Frankie, but that is never explored.
Even Hannah Love Lanier’s Charlie is not given enough to do. Dalton makes a connection with her early in the film only to give the bad guys leverage against him in the third act. She basically disappears through the course of the movie as well, and I would have liked to have explored that character and her relationship to Dalton more.
‘No Time to Die’s Billy Magnussen plays Ben Brandt, which is the remake’s version of Brad Wesley, the villain in the original played by legendary Hollywood actor Ben Gazzara. I have to say that I don’t understand the need to make this a younger character. Brandt never gets into a physical fight with Dalton (although even Gazzara and Swayze had a fight scene in the original), so why the character was made younger, I have no idea? But it doesn’t work.
Instead of playing an older former mob boss who controls the town with his power, Brandt is instead the son of an imprisoned mob boss, trying to run his father’s crime family how he sees fit while still looking for daddy’s approval. The result is a crybaby of a villain that you neither fear nor care about. Magnussen does his best with the poorly written role, chewing up some scenery, but it never really amounts to much on screen.
To be fair, ‘Road House’ is at times just as dumb and fun as the original, but that’s not saying much. Gyllenhaal’s performance is solid, but the actor deserved a better script. The action sequences are good, thanks to Liman’s camera work and Gyllenhaal and McGregor’s performances, but the poor script, focus on the UFC, and nonsensical changes from the original, strip the movie of any originality, mystery or silly fun that we may expect from the franchise.
‘Road House’ receives 4.5 out of 10 stars.
6ddXUDKT3kkttS13wVeW77
What is the Plot of ‘Road House’?
A former UFC middleweight fighter (Jake Gyllenhaal) ends up working at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys where things are not as they seem.
The film is set after the events of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’, where we find the band of misfits in their new home on Knowhere. Unexpectedly, a new powerful enemy crashes in and injures Rocket, and if the Guardians don’t act fast enough, it could mean life or death for their teammate.
k5kA3qeDcQFylAb4AgIbb6
The official synopsis for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ is below:
“In Marvel Studios ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.”
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ opened in theaters on May 5th, 2023, to $118.4 million domestically and has grossed over $348.5 million since its opening. Worldwide box office earnings have grossed over $825.3 million since its release. This was a highly anticipated film among Marvel fans and is certified Fresh on aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, with an 82% score from critics and a 94% score from the audience.
The team faces brand new threats in this movie, with the stakes being higher than ever when it involves one of the members of the team. Still recovering from his heartbreak and loss of Gamora, Peter Quill and his band of misfits are settled in on Knowhere when Adam Warlock crashes in.
Adam Warlock has long been teased to appear in the MCU since ‘Thor: Dark World’ and the first ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ However, it was in the post-credit scene in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2’ that confirmed his appearance. Played by Will Poulter, the MCU’s Adam Warlock origin differs from the comics. Instead of being created by scientists, Adam Warlock in the film is a Sovereign warrior created by the high priestess Ayesha and The High Evolutionary.
The film also introduces The High Evolutionary (played by Chukwudi Iwuji) to the MCU. A geneticist whose personal mission is to create the perfect species, he abducted various creatures for his experiment, with Rocket Raccoon (then named 89P13) being one of his test subjects. When Rocket points out the flaws in The High Evolutionary’s project, it confuses and angers him to the point where he orders Rocket’s brain to be removed so that he can study him.
Rocket manages to escape. Years later, when The High Evolutionary learns of his involvement with the Guardians of the Galaxy, he orders Adam Warlock to retrieve him at all costs.
When it comes to the Guardians of the Galaxy, we know we’re in for a grand space adventure, with hilarious banter between the Guardians. However, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ takes on a more somber and emotional tone. With director James Gunn being the co-chairman of DC Studios, this is likely the final film he’ll direct for Marvel. This movie not only wraps up the adventures of the current team of the Guardians, but it also dives into the origin story of Rocket.
Previously named 89P13, Rocket Raccoon is subjected to tests and experiments by The High Evolutionary. In flashback scenes, we meet Rocket’s fellow cagemates Floor, Teefs, and Lylla. The four friends found comfort in each other, often playing games and daydreaming about the “forever and beautiful sky.” The message of animal cruelty is not missed in the film, and what The High Evolutionary does to Rocket and his friends will send a shock through your system and gives you an insight into some of Rocket’s hardened personality.
Though the Guardians tend to bicker with each other, the group has become quite close-knit. Once Rocket’s life is on the line, his friends will stop at nothing to save him, even if it means sacrificing themselves. Rocket is definitely the heart of this story and we suggest you have some tissues on standby when you watch.
Where Can I Watch ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’?
(L to R) Karen Gillan as Nebula, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord, and Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.
The film premiered at Disneyland Paris on April 22nd, 2023. Later, the US premiere was held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California, on April 27th, 2023. The movie is still showing in theaters, so be sure to check with Moviefone below for showtimes in your area. ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it the longest film in the Guardians franchise.
Watch the official trailers for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3’ below:
FtYXjXbB
Can’t make it out to the theater? You will soon have the option to rent or purchase the movie on VOD. Services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Movies Anywhere will have the movie available digitally on July 7th, 2023.
As for as streaming goes, an official date hasn’t been confirmed. The movie is released by Disney so it is likely to end up on Disney+ once it is ready to go to streaming.
For those who prefer physical copies, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ will be available on DVD/Blu-Ray on August 1st, 2023, complete with special features such as featurettes, deleted scenes, director’s commentary, and gag reel.
To watch our exclusive interview with writer/director James Gunn and Chris Pratt about ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3,’ please click on the video player below.
Vin Diesel as Dom in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
The past always has a way of catching up with Dominic Toretto and his gang. This time, someone from Dom’s past shows up in the most unexpected way, putting everyone in danger, including Dom’s son – Little B.
“Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom’s world and destroy everything — and everyone — he loves.”
‘Fast X’ premiered in Rome on May 12, 2023. It opened in theaters domestically on May 19th. The film opened to $67 million and has grossed over $676.9 million worldwide since its release.
The Past Continues To Haunt Dominic Toretto
(L to R) Vin Diesel and Daniela Melchior in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Trouble always seems to find its way to Dominic Toretto’s doorstep, much like when ‘Fate of the Furious’ villain Cypher (Charlize Theron) shows up at Dom’s home badly injured. She tells Dom of a new threat named Dante, who turns out to be the son of drug lord Herman Reyes. Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) appeared in ‘Fast Five’ and met his end after chasing Dom’s team for the vault.
Played by Jason Momoa, Dante seeks revenge for his father’s death and will stop at nothing to hurt Dom – including kidnapping his son Brian. Dante may be the franchise’s most interesting and formidable villain so far – outsmarting Dom in ways we’ve never seen before. Fashionable, unhinged, and outright entertaining to watch, Dante steals every scene he is in.
New Players Entering ‘The Fast & Furious’ Franchise
(Right) Brie Larson is Tess in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Joining the Fast family are Brie Larson (‘Captain Marvel’), Alan Ritchson (‘Dark Web: Cicada 3301’), and Daniela Melchior (‘The Suicide Squad’). Brie Larson portrays Tess, who is revealed to be the daughter of Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell). She is helping Dom and his team in their fight against Dante Reyes. Alan Ritchson plays Aimes, the new head of The Agency. Daniela Melchior plays Isabel, a Brazilian street racer who is connected to someone from Dom’s past.
There is more than meets the eye with these new characters, so you should check out the movie to find out exactly who they are and if they’re on Team Dom or plotting against them.
Where Can I Watch ‘Fast X’?
Jason Momoa as Dante in ‘Fast X’, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The film was released theatrically in the United States on May 19th, 2023, and its follow-up is already announced to be released on April 4th, 2025. While the movie is already available on VOD, you can still catch the high-octane action in theaters. ‘Fast X’ is available in IMAX, Dolby Atmos, 3D, and 4DX format, so be sure to check with Moviefone below for showtimes in your area. ‘Fast X’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it the second-longest movie in the franchise.
You now have the option to rent or purchase ‘Fast X’ on VOD for $19.99 or $24.99, respectively. The movie is available on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Direct TV, Google Play, Vudu, Microsoft, YouTube, AppleTV, and Redbox.
As the movie is distributed by Universal Pictures, Peacock subscribers (in both Premium and Premium Plus tiers) will be able to stream ‘Fast X’ once available – likely to be in late August or early September though no official date has been announced by the studio.
No official date has been announced for the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the film, though pre-orders are already available from stores such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
(Clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
‘Fast X’ opening in theaters on May 19th, is the latest entry in the sprawling, wildly successful franchise that begun in much more humble fashion as a take on ‘Point Break’s undercover lawman genre in 2001 and his since spiraled into a bombastic action franchise revolving around the endlessly repeated theme of family.
After a muted, disappointing entry with ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ in 2021 (which nevertheless did good business), it’s a relief to report that fans of the franchise, led by star/producer Vin Diesel, is a return to the ridiculous, stunt-heavy, common sense-free form that we’ve come know and appreciate.
PeUoT2JG3jB1iiHmbfYgB2
What’s the story of ‘Fast X?
Dominic Toretto (Diesel) is back living in the family home in Los Angeles with wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and son Brian (Leo Abelo Perry). It’s a relatively quiet time for Dom and his gang, punctuated by family barbecues, driving lessons for Brian and a visit from his Abuela (Rita Moreno).
But Dom’s peace is ruined when old enemy Cipher (Charlize Theron) shows up badly injured at his door one night, spinning a story of a new threat called Dante (Jason Momoa). He, it turns out, is the son of Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), the drug kingpin that Dom and his team robbed and killed 10 years ago in Rio (as chronicled in the events of ‘Fast Five’ in 2011).
(From left) Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Han (Sung Kang) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Soon, the flamboyant, crazed Dante is setting traps for our heroes, including luring Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Han (Sung Kang) on a fake mission to Rome where they and others, including spy agency member Little Nobody (Scott Eastwood) must stop a giant, rolling bomb from destroying parts of Rome and the Vatican.
But when they’re all framed for the attack, the “family” is scattered to various parts of the world as Dante schemes and undermines them, stealing all their money and threatening their own family members.
Soon Dom is locked in a frantic battle with Dante, forced to rely on everyone he loves, even as they’re put in mortal danger. Can he succeed against this powerful villain?
(Right) Brie Larson is Tess in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
To put it bluntly, there are two main advantages to the new ‘Fast’ movie, and the biggest is easily Jason Momoa. Clearly understanding that he A) needs to bring some fun and B) have some fun in the role of the big bad, he’s the most entertaining villain, and possibly the most entertaining character, the franchise has had for a long time.
Extravagantly dressed, free of macho impulses and always ready with a quip, he’s a giant breath of fresh air that nevertheless also feels like a real challenge to Dom and co. Even his mantra of, “Never accept death when suffering is owed,” inherited from his late father (who is glimpsed in an opening blend of footage from ‘Fast Five’ and newly created shots) helps to justify why Dom and company usually tend to escape from their adventures all but unscathed. You might still find yourself shouting, “why don’t you just kill [insert name here]??” at various points, but that’s all part of the fun of the franchise.
And let’s be honest: people “die” in this movie series and have returned before (Han in particular). It’s rarely the end it might be elsewhere.
(From left) Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry, back to camera) and Jakob (John Cena) in ‘Fast X,’ directed Louis Leterrier.
While there were real concerns after ‘F9’ felt like a tired retread of the usual tropes, a sign the movies are running out of gas, ‘Fast X’ actually comes across as a second wind, embracing the set piece silliness and leaning into the entertainment value. Aside from Momoa, it also succeeds by letting Cena embrace his more humorous side since switching sides from being the vengeful villain in the previous entry.
An early briefing for a new character lets the franchise poke proper fun at itself, nodding towards the physics-defying action and globe-trotting story. It’s a canny way to catch up anyone who has decided to make this their first ‘Fast’ movie (though it’s hard to imagine anyone rocking up to these films without having seen at least one other).
Plus, new director Louis Leterrier (who replaced veteran Justin Lin after the latter quit one week into production) is something of a revelation, bringing a combo of his ease with the sort of high-concept action where he started his career (such as ‘The Transporter’) and finding the emotional core these films need to work.
(L to R) Vin Diesel and Director Louis Leterrier on the set of ‘Fast X.’
What are the problems of the movie?
For all its advantages, there are also the usually clunky elements, this entry still boasting scenes that make it seem as though a straight-to-DVD B-movie broke out in the middle of a summer blockbuster.
Actors who have won Oscars struggle with dialogue that would trip any actor up, whole moments sounding like they were written by feeding to suggestions to a ChatGPT AI that was then dropped on its hard drive, so leaden and first base are the results. It’s especially glaring for any scenes set in the mysterious “agency” spy division currently run by Ritchson’s Aimes. The man who is Jack Reacher on TV doesn’t break free of the dodgy lines he’s handed. And even Larson can’t make Tess work beyond some basic motivations.
And Diesel, despite being the core of the film, remains the one who treats it all so completely seriously that it’s actually less fun when he’s growling and putting the pedal to the metal.
(From left) Queen (Helen Mirren) and Dom (Vin Diesel) in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Even as the movie acknowledges its own ridiculous nature, you’ll end up giggling at how many times the word “family” is uttered as usual, and the number of familial connections between characters is becoming ever more ridiculous. Everyone Dom knows at this point is connected to someone else in the franchise. It’s not hard to imagine him running into someone at the local auto parts store who is a long-lost cousin.
Fortunately, ‘Fast X’ is nimbler than ‘F9’ and papers over some of these typical cracks with gusto .
‘Fast X’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.
Vin Diesel as Dom in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
‘Fast X’ is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback.
Vin Diesel as Dom in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Just when you though the ‘Fast & Furious’ team had really, truly finalized plans to wrap the franchise up (while still, of course, leaving the car door open for future spin-offs etc.) with the already-announced 11th entry as a two parter with this week’s ‘Fast X’ along comes star/producer Vin Diesel teasing that there could well be at least one more movie.
Team ‘Fast’ headed to Rome shortly before the weekend for a big press event to promote the movie (which makes sense, since a chunk of the film takes place in the city).
Interviewed by Fandango about a possible future for the franchise, Diesel said this,
“It’s a really good question. As filmmakers, you want to allow people to enjoy the film without tipping the hat too much. I can say this. Going into making this movie, the studio had asked if this could be a two-parter. And after the studio saw this, part one, they said, could you make ‘Fast X’, the finale, a trilogy?”
Diesel and co-star Michelle Rodriguez wouldn’t be drawn on whether it’ll happen for sure, though Diesel did say, “probably”.
You can see the full video here:
WATCH: On the red carpet in Rome, Italy, did Vin Diesel just confirm that #FastX is the first part of a… trilogy?! Whoa! It all begins in theaters a week from today. Ready, set… go get your tickets! 🚘🎟's —> https://t.co/jO68lUJ5h6pic.twitter.com/2DiJsYkgUz
Of course, even though Diesel has an awful lot of say over developments in the ‘Fast’ world, it’s up to Universal whether this actually happens. But we can certainly see the studio happy to keep its most successful franchise motoring.
Our guess –– and this is purely speculation –– is that executives are waiting to see the box office results of ‘Fast X’ before making any final decision.
Jason Momoa is Dante in ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier.
Directed by Louis Leterrier (who replaced Justin Lin) ‘Fast X’ picks up with Dom and his crew as they look to fend off the pair of big bads — the cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) and her mysterious cohort, Dante (Jason Momoa), who, it turns out, has a link to another previous franchise antagonist, the drug kingpin Reyes, played in ‘Fast Five’ by Joaquim de Almeida.
Dante, as the trailers for ‘Fast X’ have already revealed, is the son of Reyes, and has spent the time since ‘Fast Five’ plotting his revenge against Dom and co.
Dom and the usual gang will need help of a new friend, Tess (Brie Larson), who has her own connections to a supporting ‘Fast’ character.
And original franchise star Paul Walker’s daughter Meadow will appear in the film in a cameo to “honor” the legacy of her late father, as she revealed on social media last week.
‘Fast X’, as mentioned, is due in theaters on Friday. The 11th film (with Leterrier returning) has yet to announce a release date but is likely headed our way in 2025.
(L to R) Jason Momoa and Vin Diesel star in ‘Fast X.’ Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.
‘Fast X’ is produced by Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race, and Perfect Storm Entertainment. It is set to premiere in theaters on May 19th, 2023.
Marvel Comics’ Adam Warlock. Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.
If you’ve watched the moody trailer for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, you’ll know that the third ‘Guardians’ outing, once again written and directed by James Gunn, promises to be an emotional capper to at least this incarnation of the team.
Though Gunn insists that it’s not some huge cull that will leave everyone permanently off the board (particularly as, thanks to their participation in the ‘Avengers’ movies, they’re important to the fabric of the MCU), it seems like we’ll be saying goodbye to more than one member (and comments by Dave Bautista about leaving Drax behind makes us suspect he could either die heroically or sail off somewhere else in the universe).
And one of the biggest issues that the Guardians––Bautista’s Drax, Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, Zoe Saldana’s Gamora, Karen Gillan’s Nebula and Pom Klementieff’s Mantis, plus CG characters Rocket Racoon (brought to life by Sean Gunn in performance capture and voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel)––will face is Adam Warlock, played by British actor Will Poulter.
Created by gold-hued Sovereign leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) after the Guardians double-crossed her in ‘Vol. 2’, Warlock promises that this prime example of the Sovereign race will destroy our morally changeable heroes. He’s a powerful warrior… But is he entirely a bad guy?
“It’s kind of more complicated than that,” Gunn tells Empire. “But he’s definitely not a good guy. What we’re seeing is the infant form of Warlock, newly out of the cocoon, and he does not understand life very well. He’s basically a baby.”
Will Poulter as Adam Warlock in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’ Photo courtesy of Empire Magazine.
After a long search for the right actor to bring him to life, Gunn settled on Poulter, known for films such as the ‘Maze Runner’ movies and, more recently, horror title ‘Midsommar’.
“People online were saying, ‘Oh, Tom Cruise should be Adam Warlock,’” says Gunn. “I wanted somebody who was youthful, and I wanted the person who had the dramatic chops and the comedic chops, not only for this movie but for what Marvel will use Adam Warlock for in the future. He could become this really important character.”
Yes, in true Marvel style, Warlock looks to be hanging around the MCU for a while yet, and he’ll certainly be handy for the future of the Multiverse Saga, which is the overarching title for Phases four, five and six.
For now, though, we’ll have to wait and see how Warlock pans out in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, which will also feature Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, who promises to be even more of a problem for our heroes.
Rita Moreno in the documentary ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.’
In keeping with how most people find out about anything ‘Fast & Furious’, the most recent – and potentially most exciting – piece of casting news comes courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram.
The enthusiastic actor/producer hit social media with a video announcing that none other than Oscar winner and acting legend Rita Moreno is aboard ‘Fast X’, joining the ever-growing ensemble as Dominic Toretto’s (Diesel) grandmother.
“It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile,” Diesel says in the video.
“I think my old age was waiting for you to ask me, isn’t that nice, and I’m here, the answer is yes, I’ll do it, and not only I’ll do it, I am tickled,” Moreno responds.
It’s a lovefest! Which is in stark contrast to some of the other videos shot on set of the movie, with uncomfortable-looking co-stars (and former director Justin Lin) appearing to resent having to show up on camera with Diesel.
Casting Moreno represents just the latest addition to the ‘Fast’ team for this new movie, which has already seen the likes of Brie Larson, Jason Momoa, Daniela Melchior and ‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson making their debut in the franchise.
In addition to the regulars, ‘The Fate of the Furious’ Scott Eastwood (as the government agent codenamed Little Nobody) plus ‘F9’s Michael Rooker (as mechanic/Toretto family friend Buddy) and Cardi B (as paramilitary leader Leysa) are also all back in the fold.
Moreno, of course, needs little introduction. An actor with decades of experience, she’s also known for her singing and dancing skills. She won an Oscar for her performance as Anita in 1961’s ‘West Side Story’, and notched acclaim for appearing in Steven Spielberg’s version of the same movie last year, albeit playing a different role. She’s also an “EGOT” – having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. And now she could be up for the MTV Movie Awards as Coolest Granny On Film.
She’s someone Diesel has been trying to get on board for a while now. Interviewed by Variety last year, the actor and Lin discussed the idea of Dom’s mother showing up but pivoted to talk of his grandmother. “Before we get to Mother Toretto, we will get to Abuela,” Diesel says. “And the person that I’m so excited to talk about that role is Rita Moreno.’”
For her part, Moreno seemed up for it at the time. “I’m waiting for his call,” she laughed. “I think it’s a fabulous idea. I hope he puts me in black leather…” Let’s see if that last part comes true!
‘Fast X’ has had to weather some recent drama, with Lin stepping away from the movie, to be replaced by Louis Leterrier. The switch has caused a brief shutdown in production, but the movie is back up and shooting now.
With luck, ‘Fast X’ will still be speeding into theaters on May 19th next year.
‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.
PeUoT2JG3jB1iiHmbfYgB2
