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Tag: Fast X

Rita Moreno Joins ‘Fast X’

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.

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The plot for the movie remains under wraps, though the presence of Charlize Theron’s Cipher points to more trouble for our main team. Returning this time are veterans Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, and Nathalie Emmanuel.

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.
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May 24, 2022
Scott Eastwood Returning to the Fast Movies For ‘Fast X’

(L to R) Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood in 2015’s ‘The Longest Ride.’

Having seemingly sped around (or, given this franchise, though) its director departure roadblock, the Fast & Furious’ franchise is well and truly back in high gear. The latest installment, ‘Fast X’ is recruiting from among its deep bench of previous cast members, as Scott Eastwood will return for the new movie.

Eastwood appeared in ‘Fate of the Furious’, the eighth installment, directed by F. Gary Gray and released in 2017. His character was a rule-following government agent who is frequently seen with his boss, Mr. Nobody, a shady manipulator played by Kurt Russell.

Does this mean that Russell – whose character was briefly a plot point in last year’s ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ – will also return? No one is saying yet. But you wouldn’t be wrong if you started speculating that the slick Nobody could once again feature.

Speculation is pretty much all we have at this point when it comes to the plot of ‘Fast X’. With Louis Leterrier now on board to direct, the story will likely see Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto and the rest of the ‘Fast’ family tackling another big threat from the likes of Charlize Theron’s calculating Cipher.

Alongside Diesel, the returning cast also includes such core names as Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Sung Kang. Michael Rooker as mechanic and Toretto family friend Buddy) and Cardi B (as paramilitary leader Leysa) are reportedly back from ‘F9’. Given Buddy’s presence, that could point to redeemed villain John Cena’s Jakob Toretto also popping up, but the ‘Fast’ team have revealed nothing about his possible appearance.

(L to R) Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and Jason Statham in ‘The Fate of the Furious.’

New faces this time are Jason Momoa, who will apparently be causing trouble alongside Cipher, ‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson, ‘Captain Marvel’ star Brie Larson and ‘The Suicide Squad’s Daniela Melchior, who are all playing mystery characters.

While Justin Lin left the director’s job a couple of weeks into shooting over creative and script differences, he’s still attached as a producer and wrote the screenplay with Dan Mazeau (though we’re fairly certain it has since gone through some changes).

Eastwood, who followed his famous father into the film business, is best known for movies including ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Longest Ride’. He was most recently seen in Prime Video’s romantic comedy ‘I Want You Back’. Along with ‘Fast X’, he’s also filming LA riots drama ‘April 29, 1992’, in which a shopkeeper must save his son from an angry mob in the wake of the Rodney King verdict.

Despite the delays, it seems that ‘Fast X’ is still on track to make it into theaters on May 19th next year. It’ll be followed by a second movie, which will wrap up both the story of these last two entries and, according to Diesel, bring the franchise as a whole to a close. At least until the various spin-offs start their engines…

‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.

May 19, 2022
‘Reacher’s Alan Ritchson Joins ‘Fast X’

Alan Ritchson in Prime Video’s ‘Jack Reacher.’

The ‘Fast & Furious’ continues to add people known for their physicality to its latest installment, ‘Fast X’.

Alan Ritchson, best known currently for embodying Lee Child’s tough nut creation Jack Reacher on Prime Video’s ‘Reacher’, is the latest recruit for the new movie, according to Deadline.

As with all the other casting announcements, we don’t yet know what Ritchson will be doing in the movie – whether he’ll be riding alongside Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto and his team, or joining the side of the villains, which in this case are represented by a returning Charlize Theron as Cipher, joined by Jason Momoa’s mysterious character.

‘Fast X’ has the core cast in place – Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Sung Kang among them. New to the franchise this time are Momoa, Brie Larson and ‘The Suicide Squad’s Daniela Melchior.

And given the post-credit scene on ‘F9: The Fast Saga’, we’d be surprised if Jason Statham wasn’t also back in the main series following spin-off ‘Hobbs & Shaw’.

Most of the news about the new movie has been mixed – director Justin Lin left after roughly two weeks’ worth of filming, citing the industry-standard “creative differences” which have reportedly included clashes with Diesel (who is a controlling producer on the movies and sees himself as their guardian as well as their star) and the studio on scripts.

Alan Ritchson in Prime Video’s ‘Jack Reacher.’

The differences are all the more surprising since Lin is A) a veteran shepherd of the movies, having directed several of them and B) one of the credited writers on the current film’s script alongside Dan Mazeau. He’s still involved as a producer.

‘Fast X’ briefly shut down its production in the wake of Lin leaving, and the studio has scrambled to find a replacement. It appears that Louis Leterrier is now in place to handle the giant vehicular set pieces that are a hallmark of this movie series.

Ritchson feels like he could fit into the movie without much hassle – he’s used to getting into fights on screen and there’s always some muscular rumbling to be found amidst the speedy action. Yet will he make his mark and stick around, or be reduced to a one-and-done (so far) like Scott Eastwood?

Aside from ‘Reacher’, Ritchson was previously known for playing Gloss in ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ and for donning performance capture gear to bring Raphael to life in the two recent live action/CGI ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ movies.

He’s also stepped behind the camera to write and direct last year’s ‘Dark Web: Cicada 3301’.

Ritchson has been at work on new, based-on-truth drama ‘Ordinary Angels’, in which he’ll appear opposite Hilary Swank. That movie doesn’t yet have a release date listed.

‘Fast X’, meanwhile, assuming the director swap hasn’t impacted its schedule too much, will be driving in theaters on May 19th next year.

‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.
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May 16, 2022
Jason Momoa Starring in New Murder Mystery Action Movie

Jason Momoa arrives on the red carpet of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo: Mark Von Holden / A.M.P.A.S.

Warner Bros. is clearly looking to stay in the Jason Momoa business. With superhero sequel ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ now in post-production ahead of a 2023 release, the studio has snapped up a new script, currently titled ‘The Executioner’, which has the star attached.

Momoa is aboard to lead the film, which is being described as a fun action murder mystery in the spirit of ‘Knives Out’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’. Now there’s a combo for you!

The screenplay, which had seen a bidding war kick off for it before Warner Bros. slapped down the winning offer, comes from cousin scripting duo Kaz and Ryan Firpo, who most recently worked on Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ alongside director Chloé Zhao.

As of right now – and perhaps befitting a movie that has a mystery at its core – the plot details are being kept quiet, though given that description, could we see a medieval fantasy action film where Momoa’s hero must solve a murder? Or could it be a detective thriller set among cosplayers? The possibilities, at this point, are endless.

Jason Momoa presents the Oscar® for Animated Short Film during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Also involved is a producer with ties to both Warners and Momoa – Peter Safran, who has carved out quite the niche for himself between the ‘Conjuring’ movies, ‘Shazam!’ and its upcoming sequel and James Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’, which then led to successful TV spin-off ‘Peacemaker’. He’s also one of the members of the team behind the ‘Aquaman’ movies, working with James Wan to get those giant productions made.

As for Momoa, he’s busy with various projects, including joining the latest ‘Fast & Furious’ movie, ‘Fast X’ (though if he’s on set, he might be waiting around for it to gear up again after the director departure drama. He’s reportedly playing a villain in the new movie, working alongside Charlize Theron’s Cipher to cause problems for Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto and the regular crew.

Beyond that, he’s got several movies and series in play, including Netflix’s ‘Slumberland’, which should be on the streaming service this year, a rumored connection to the ‘Minecraft’ movie, a buddy comedy in development in which he’d star opposite Dave Bautista and his recently announced new TV series ‘Chief of War’.

The Firpo cousins, meanwhile, have ‘Ruin’ in development with Justin Kurzel aiming to direct Margot Robbie and Matthias Schoenaerts in the post-World War II story of an ex-Nazi captain looking to atone by hunting down members of his former SS death squad.

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ is currently scheduled to flood into theaters on March 17th next year.
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May 6, 2022
Louis Leterrier the Top Pick to Replace Justin Lin on ‘Fast X’

2011’s ‘Fast Five.’ Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Following on from the shocking departure of Justin Lin from the director’s chair of latest ‘Fast & Furious’ movie, ‘Fast X’, studio Universal has been in something of an expensive holding pattern.

Since cast and crew were already in the UK filming, every day’s delay on the movie means costs continued to build and with no director in place, only second-unit work has gone ahead.

Now, though, it appears that the company has found someone to step in and direct the movie, as ‘The Transporter’, ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘Clash of the Titans’ Louis Leterrier is the studio’s top choice for the job.

According to reports, it’s all now a matter of working on the finer points of Leterrier’s deal and shifting his schedule around so he can fly out and start the movie machine cranking again.

Directing a ‘Fast’ movie is not a job for the fearful or inexperienced: these are gigantic productions, full of many moving parts (not just the cars) and come with even bigger expectations given the billions that the franchise has made so far.

There’s also the matter of working alongside star and self-appointed ‘Fast’ guiding light Vin Diesel, who, as a producer and lead actor on the series, has a say in everything that goes into these films.

Louis Letterier is set to direct ‘Fast X.’

The Hollywood Reporter has a story up that peeks behind the scenes of Lin’s exit, and a lot of the tension that led to his departure can be tied to Diesel’s endless input and the ever-shifting nature of the movies.

Despite the fact that Lin is widely regarded as one of the main creative forces on the ‘Fast’ franchise – he came aboard for ‘Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift’ and has directed five of the entries, including true franchise gear shift ‘Fast Five’, issues between the director and Diesel came to a head on the new movie.

Lin had been even more involved than usual this time, writing the script with Dan Mazeau. Yet Diesel’s demands for changes and the studio reportedly flying in at least one other writer to polish the dialogue left Lin feeling ignored and exhausted, especially as he jumped into working on the new movie shortly after finishing ‘F9: The Fast Saga’.

Sources reported that a meeting between Diesel, Lin and two others ended with Lin saying, “This movie is not worth my mental health,” before leaving. He then organized a way to diplomatically leave the movie entirely, sending out a statement through the franchise’s official channels.

‘Fast X’ had been shooting for just over a week when Lin departed, which means Leterrier will be stepping in to handle the usual giant stunt pieces, the sprawling story (no plot details have been revealed yet) and a cast that blends the returning likes of Diesel, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang and Nathalie Emmanuel and Charlize Theron plus new recruits Jason Momoa, Brie Larson and ‘The Suicide Squad’s Daniela Melchior.

Leterrier at least has his action movie background and the ability to oversee big productions (he more recently worked on Netflix’s ‘Dark Crystal’ prequel series), but he’ll need all his experience, luck, and patience on this one.

‘Fast X’ is currently still scheduled to speed into theaters on May 19th next year, but we’ll see if this speed bump changes anything.
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May 3, 2022
‘Fast & Furious 10’ is Titled ‘Fast X’

‘Fast X’ Logo. Courtesy of Vin Diesel’s Instagram account.

Ever the one ready to reveal the slightest hint of ‘Fast & Furious’ news, Vin Diesel has once again taken to Instagram, this time with both title details and word of production cranking into gear of the tenth installment.

So, with a drumroll that somehow also sounds like the revving of a Dodge Charger, the word arrives that the new movie is called… ‘Fast X’.

It’s certainly a striking, short title, but offers little clues as to what the movie itself might be about. And it has, predictably, already fallen afoul of social media jokers, who have likened the title to a pill of some sort.

Not forgetting the camp who would rather the movie have been called ‘Fast 10 Your Seatbelts’.

Shrugging off all such concerns, Diesel simply captioned his logo image with, “Day One…” pointing to the fact that the cameras are now rolling and, if we know anything about this franchise, wheels are already turning. And likely jumping over/off things.

Despite the regular updates from Diesel – AKA family and car-obsessed Dominic Toretto in the movies – nothing has yet been said about the plot for this latest offering of ‘Fast’ fuel.

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Given the reportedly returning presence of Charlize Theron’s Cipher, we can reliably predict that Dom and the team will have to thwart her latest nefarious scheme (unless, of course, she’s in the process of switching to Dom’s side, though that seems unlikely for now).

And aiding her this time around will be a new, mysterious baddie brought to booming life by Jason Momoa, who has already expressed his enthusiasm for playing an “amazing” character. “He’s ornery,” Momoa told Entertainment Tonight – when the show caught up with him at the LA premiere of ‘Ambulance’. “He’s misunderstood.” Again, we’re forced to wonder whether he might follow a traditional road of starting out as a villain but ending up helping Dom and the rest.

Diesel’s Toretto is naturally back behind the wheel alongside an assortment of the ‘Fast’ regulars including Michelle Rodriguez as Letty, Tyrese Gibson as Roman, Ludacris as Tej, Sung Kang as Han, and Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey.

They’ll be joined by two new faces – at least to this franchise: ‘Captain Marvel’ star and Oscar winner Brie Larson, who chalks up another big franchise and ‘The Suicide Squad’s Daniela Melchior, both of whose characters remain a mystery for now.

Justin Lin, who has directed more of the ‘Fast’ movies than anyone else, is back overseeing this new one and while all involved remain secretive about what we can expect, allow us to speculate that huge vehicular stunts, jokey repartee between Roman and Tej, possibly some dangerous McGuffin to be found/stopped and, of course, more references to “family” than your average Mafia miniseries.

‘Fast X’ will be headed into theaters on May 19th.
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April 21, 2022