(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.
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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) Shawn Hatosy, Laura Harris, Josh Hartnett, Clea DuVall and Elijah Wood in 1996’s ‘The Faculty’. Photo: Miramax Films.
Preview:
A new take on Robert Rodriguez’ ‘The Faculty’ is in the works.
Rodriguez and ‘Barbarian’s Zach Cregger are producing this remake.
The original starred Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Josh Hartnett and more.
Are you ready to go back to school?
No, we don’t mean the depressing return to campuses after a holiday –– Miramax is looking to revisit 1998 sci-fi thriller ‘The Faculty,’ in which a group of highschoolers discover that something is very wrong with their teachers and other staff.
In what is a rarity for those involved in the legacy title, Rodriguez will be an active part of the behind-the-scenes team on the remake, as Variety reports that he’s on board as producer.
But he’s not alone: Zach Cregger, who broke out big with his own genre offering, 2022’s horror thriller ‘Barbarian,’ is also producing.
Cregger is teaming up with Drew Hancock, the writer/director behind new thriller ‘Companion,’ (which Cregger produced), and Hancock will write the screenplay for the new ‘Faculty.’
We can certainly see some rich material for a new version of the story, since social media is much more rampant among highschoolers (and, er, everyone else), and that could play a big part.
Robert Patrick in 1996’s ‘The Faculty’. Photo: Miramax Films.
The storyline for the original movie is a take on the tension between highschoolers and their teachers.
When some very creepy things start happening around school, the kids at Herrington High make a chilling discovery that confirms their worst suspicions: their teachers really are from another planet.
As mind-controlling parasites rapidly begin spreading from the faculty to the students’ bodies, it’s ultimately up to the few who are left, an unlikely collection of loners, leaders, nerds, and jocks to save the world from alien domination.
The original story was dreamt up by writers David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel, with the final production script crafted by ‘Scream’s Kevin Williamson.
It grossed an impressive $63.2 million and has developed a cult following in the subsequent decades.
Who appeared in the original movie?
(L to R) Shawn Hatosy, Josh Hartnett, Laura Harris, Clea DuVall and Elijah Wood in 1996’s ‘The Faculty’. Photo: Miramax Films.
Rodriguez, as usual, has a wealth of projects in development. He most recently directed ‘Spy Kids: Armageddon’ for Netflix, which was released in 2023.
He’s currently busy making TV series ‘El Gato,’ which focuses on Frank Guerrero, who discovers that his deceased father was the legendary, titular vigilante.
Returning to Mexico, Frank becomes embroiled in family power struggles while uncovering his father’s connections to a contemporary terror plot.
Beyond that, Rodriguez has long been developing a new version of animated series ‘The Jetsons.’
Cregger, meanwhile, is following ‘Barbarian’ with ‘Weapons,’ a multistory horror movie about the disappearance of high school students in a small town.
He’s also recently announced that he’s attached to write and direct a reboot of the ‘Resident Evil’ video game adaptations, just the latest to tackle the story of a virus that turns the population of a town (and beyond) into undead nightmares.
When will this remake of ‘The Faculty’ be in theaters?
Elijah Wood in 1996’s ‘The Faculty’. Photo: Miramax Films.
Miramax, which released the original, is backing the new one, but has yet to announce a release date for this one.
And with no director in place yet, chances are it’ll be a while before we see too much movement.
While we’re doubtful that the likes of ‘No Country for Old Men’ would get remade (though little surprises us these days), a new ‘Scary Movie’ is headed our way, with the Wayans brothers returning to craft the film for Paramount. It’ll be scaring up business in cinemas next year.
Josh Hartnett in 1996’s ‘The Faculty’. Photo: Miramax Films.
The Heart Eyes killer from Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’. Photo: Christopher Moss.
Forget “elevated” horror. The last few years have seen a new crop of self-aware horror comedies populated (in varying degrees) by likable if often socially inept protagonists, copious amounts of gore played for laughs, a smattering of pop culture references, and a deluge of ironic needle drops. Think ‘Happy Death Day,’ ‘Freaky,’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Knife,’ and now add ‘Heart Eyes’ to that list.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that two of the writers of ‘Heart Eyes’ are Christopher Landon, who directed and wrote ‘Death Day’ and ‘Freaky,’ and Michael Kennedy, who co-wrote ‘Freaky’ and penned ‘Knife.’ With director Josh Ruben (‘Werewolves Within’) at the helm, much of ‘Heart Eyes’ feels a lot in tone and aesthetic like those other films. ‘Heart Eyes’ is entertaining, with two charismatic leads at its center and a number of laughs (if no real scares), but it also feels like it adheres to a formula set down by those earlier pictures (and even going back to the likes of ‘Scream’) without adding any particularly new wrinkles.
Story and Direction
(L to R) Jordana Brewster as Detective Jeanine, director Josh Ruben, and Mason Gooding as Jay on the set of Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’. Photo: Christopher Moss.
If there is anything different about ‘Heart Eyes,’ it’s that the film more or less functions as a rom-com in conjunction with its slasher narrative. The latter is introduced in the opening scene, when a couple and their photographer are turned into bloody human debris by the title killer, who strikes on Valentine’s Day (a nod to slasher classics like ‘My Bloody Valentine’) and wears a pretty neat mask with two glowing hearts as eyes (which also nicely double as night-vision goggles). HEK, as the murderer is known, tends to visit various cities and slice up as many romantic couples as possible on the annual holiday for reasons that chattering heads on news programs endlessly debate.
While weary detectives Hobbs (Devon Sawa) and Shaw (Jordana Brewster) – yes, you read that rather pointless ‘Fast and Furious’ reference right – try to determine who HEK is before he lays more waste to the dating scene in Seattle, we switch to the rom-com portion of our story, in which recently single marketing exec Ally (Olivia Holt) has a meet-cute (with a bit of blood involved) in a coffee shop with the outrageously handsome, alluring Jay (Mason Gooding). But the “cute” part dissipates when Ally finds out a short time later that Jay has been hired by her boss (Michaela Watkins) to salvage a Valentine’s Day campaign launched by Ally that rather tastelessly links the holiday to dead lovers.
Jay pours on the charm despite their new circumstances, while Ally – who has some rather bitter opinions about love – wants to keep things professional even though she’s attracted to her new colleague. She slips up, however, when she spontaneously kisses Jay during a chance meeting with her ex and his new squeeze. That lip-lock, unfortunately, is also spied by the Heart Eyes Killer, who mistakes Jay and Ally for a real couple and decides to set his glowing sights on them – even as they try to convince him otherwise as they attempt to fight him and his formidable array of deadly weapons off.
(L to R) Gigi Zumbado as Monica, and Olivia Holt as Ally in Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’. Photo: Christopher Moss.
The plot takes a few twists and turns from there, with Jay briefly (and implausibly) considered a suspect in the killings and a few red herrings thrown into the mix. The violence is grisly but handled in glib fashion (although we’re getting a bit tired of the “camera pulls back through a bloody hole in a body” shot), designed to generate both laughs and groans of disgust, and while the movie does pick up a decent amount of energy and momentum, it develops a stop-and-start quality in its third (and fourth, sort of) acts, with a too-long sequence in a police station and a convoluted, not especially impressive climactic revelation of who’s behind HEK’s mask and what their game is.
Even if the slasher tropes feel a little threadbare, the rom-com conventions actually help pick the film up, from a “getting dressed for a date” montage to a ticking-clock pursuit in an airport. On the other hand, an extended slaughter at a drive-in feels labored (it goes on forever with HEK openly filleting people and not a cop in sight), as does the ending, a fault more on the page than in Ruben’s mostly efficient direction, which offers up some imaginative setpieces and kills earlier on.
The Cast
(L to R) Olivia Holt as Ally and Mason Gooding as Jay in Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’. Photo: Christopher Moss.
Singer and actress Olivia Holt rose through the Disney and Freeform ranks (doing time in Marvel series ‘Cloak and Dagger’ and ‘Runaways’) before graduating to her first slasher comedy vehicle opposite Kiernan Shipka in 2023’s ‘Totally Killer.’ The young thespian clearly has chops as she balances the many sides of the surprisingly well-written Ally. She’s terrific at the physical comedy and double-takes, while also bringing needed vulnerability and empathy to a woman whose views on love have been soured in both her childhood and adult life.
Holt has fine presence and a real spark, and importantly shares great chemistry with Gooding, who’s been a supporting player in the recent ‘Scream’ outings but hasn’t really had a chance to shine. He gets his chance here, not only playing well off Holt but bringing shades of complexity to a role that could have easily been one-dimensional. Jay’s unabashed but non-toxic romanticism has its own troubled origins, and the fact that he and Ally come to each other from extreme ends of the emotional spectrum makes the tension between them both palpable and affecting.
Gigi Zumbado blasts off like a rocket as Ally’s best friend, Monica, although her character rehashes the “brash best friend” trope that also seems to be a staple of recent horror-comedy fare. What she lacks in depth she makes up in charisma and good humor, although there could be more to the character. Meanwhile, Michaela Watkins channels a more dazed ‘Devil Wears Prada’-era Meryl Streep as Ally’s boss, and while it’s nice to see Jordana Brewster get out of the shadow of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, her Detective Shaw has dating and motivational problems of her own.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Jordana Brewster as Detective Jeanine, Devon Sawa as Detective Zeke Hobbs and Mason Gooding as Jay in Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’. Photo: Christopher Moss.
As slasher comedies go, ‘Heart Eyes’ is a perfectly good time. The leads are effortlessly watchable and appealing, the kills channel some of the macabre fun inherent in the best of the genre, and Josh Ruben manages to maintain a consistent level of energy throughout the proceedings. Yet the tone fluctuates here and there, and the script is less sharply written than some of its predecessors and even current genre cousins like ‘Companion,’ resulting in a film with a muddled message.
If it’s a hit, however, you might expect to see those glowing heart eyes again at some point, and in the meantime we hope that the likes of Landon, Kennedy, Ruben, et al. don’t settle for formula as they further explore genre mash-ups like this.
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What is the plot of ‘Heart Eyes’?
Professional colleagues Ally (Olivia Holt) and Jay (Mason Gooding) find themselves trying to outwit and outrun the Heart Eyes killer, who slaughters couples on Valentine’s Day and mistakes the pair for romantic partners.
Who is in the cast of ‘Heart Eyes’?
Olivia Holt as Ally McCabe
Mason Gooding as Jay Simmonds
Gigi Zumbado as Monica
Michaela Watkins as Crystal Cane
Devon Sawa as Detective Zeke Hobbs
Jordana Brewster as Detective Jeanine Shaw
Screen Gems and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Heart Eyes’.
Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jordana Brewster about her work on ‘Cellar Door’, her first reaction to the screenplay, her character’s marriage, the bargain her character makes, if she would make that same deal in her own life, working with Scott Speedman, Laurence Fishburne’s “acting tools”, and collaborating with director Vaughn Stein, as well as an update on the upcoming ‘Fast X: Part 2‘.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Brewster, Scott Speedman, and director Vaughn Stein.
(L to R) Scott Speedman and Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and why you wanted to be a part of this project?
Jordana Brewster: I really wanted to be a part of the project because Sera, my character, goes through so many different phases of life that I’ve also been through, and I understood her coping mechanisms and her desire to just push through and ignore any signs that something was awry. So, I thought playing that would be cathartic and fun.
MF: How would you describe the marriage between Sera and John?
JB: I think it’s really refreshing to see a marriage like this portrayed. It’s frayed, right? It’s worn in. It’s not like the beginning where it’s sexy and exciting. It’s like brushing their teeth next to each other. They’re going through the motions, they’re failing at something, and I think that’s what propels them to then say, “Let’s move and let’s get a house.” I feel like a lot of couples do that where they’re like, “Let’s just keep moving and ignore the problem.” So that’s where they’re at. I had a certain familiarity just because I quickly got along with Scott, so it felt very safe to play with the different levels of that.
(L to R) Jordana Brewster and Scott Speedman in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: Can you talk about working with Scott Speedman on that relationship?
JB: I think he was on set way before I was, and so I was talking to him before I even got to set. Then we’re both parents, so we just had a nice shorthand. I think it helps a lot to act with someone who’s willing to meet, and rehearse, and talk about the script, and is collaborative. Because you want to play tennis, you don’t want to have to do it all yourself, and you want to be able to react off someone. So that was fun with Scott. He made that very easy.
MF: John becomes obsessed with opening the cellar door after they are told not to, but Sera isn’t bothered by it. Can you talk about why she doesn’t care about what is behind the cellar door?
JB: I think the stakes are high for her. I keep thinking of a Jenga puzzle, and it’s like, the Jenga puzzle is gilded and it’s perfect, and she wants it to just stay in place because if she takes one tile off, the whole thing’s going to come down, and I think that’s what having the house represents for her. If she has the house, then she can get pregnant and then they will live happily ever after. But if something goes awry, they’re not going to survive. I also relate to that because I’m a control freak. I’m Type A, working on it, but I think there is this belief that like, “Oh, no, if everything’s not perfect, I’m not going to be able to handle it.” So, I think that’s why she’s so adamant about him staying away from the cellar door and to shut up about it already. I think initially she says, “Could a house make you happy?” She’s like, “No.” But I do think to some degree she thinks it can because it fits into her vision board. I think a lot of people can relate to that. “Oh, once I go to this college, I’ll be happy. Once I get this job, I’ll be happy. Once I have two kids, I’ll be happy.” Then the finish line keeps getting further and further away because of course, it’s like the old story.
Jordana Brewster in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: If you were in this situation in your own life, and you were offered this beautiful house, but with the agreement that you can’t look in the cellar, would you take it?
JB: I’m too skeptical. I would think there’s a catch. Like Scott and I joked on set, we’re like, it kind of feels like it’s going to turn and become dirty. There was a point where we’re like, what does Emmett want from us? But no, I would assume there are cameras here, or I’m going to have to pay the piper at some point. So, I absolutely would not because I’m not as trusting as Sera is.
MF: What was it like working with legendary actor Laurence Fishburne?
JB: It was fun, because he has a gravitas but also a warmth, and he’s very generous about telling stories. He also uses acting, not tricks, but different tools to get you into a scene. So, I felt like it was also just an awesome learning experience to work with one of the greats.
MF: Can you give me an example of one of Fishburne’s “acting tools”?
JB: So, we shot all his scenes in one day, and we had the scene where we’re tipsy and he then brings up the awkward question of what would you do? Before rolling, he would just start laughing. Then we would start laughing and it was like this contagious thing so that by the time we began the scene, the ice was broken. So instead of talking about how he would do something, he just put it in our bodies in a way.
Laurence Fishburne in ‘Cellar Door’. Photo: Lionsgate.
MF: Is that something that you might use moving forward on other projects?
JB: Yeah, and it also teaches me that when you’re the elder on a set, it’s nice to be generous, and inclusive. On ‘Heart Eyes’ I worked with kids that were in their 20s, and I took a cue from him where it’s like we’re all here to play. It’s like the rising tide raises all ships. There’s no competition. I think that’s a very generous attitude to have. So, he’s awesome.
MF: What was it like collaborating with director Vaughn Stein on set?
JB: I love Vaughn. I love that he kept it very light. He’s so encouraging and wonderful. It was fun to work on such dark material with someone so loving, open, and fun.
Jordana Brewster in ‘F9’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
MF: Finally, are you excited to start working on ‘Fast X: Part 2’ and reunite with that cast and crew?
JB: Yeah. I love working on these movies. It enables me to travel, and meet amazing people, and be on the same IMDB pages as Helen Mirren and Charlize (Theron). Never did I think I’d worked with Charlize or Helen. So, it’s an unbelievable franchise to be a part of. I’m grateful and I’m excited for the next one.
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What is the plot of ‘Cellar Door’?
Looking for a fresh start after a miscarriage, a couple (Jordana Brewster and Scott Speedman) find themselves being gifted the house of their dreams from a wealthy homeowner (Laurence Fishburne) with one caveat – they can never open the cellar door. Whether they can live without knowing triggers shocking consequences.
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.
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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.
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.
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It’s hard to look at the 20-year-old ‘The Fast & the Furious’ and see the beginnings of a blockbuster franchise, but here we are. And if the series has moved past illegal street races and into heist and spy movie territory, that’s all for the better. As this rogue’s gallery of street racers has become an unstoppable team of vehicle-based super agents, the movies in the franchise have increasingly raised the stakes for our heroes, physics and reality be damned. And you know what? It’s worked, including the latest chapter ‘F9.’
Where do you go after taking on a tank, a cargo plane, and a submarine? I won’t spoil anything here (although you’ll get some hints from the trailer), but it’s pretty impressive how director and co-writer Justin Lin takes the series to new heights while acknowledging the increasingly insane action sequences our heroes find themselves in.
Our story starts off with a flashback to Dom’s past, as he’s part of his father’s pit crew at what will be turn out to be the senior Toretto’s final race. We’re also introduced to Jakob, Dom’s younger brother. It’s hard to imagine that Dom, always preaching to us about family, has never, even mentioned his brother, but that’s far from the least-believable element in this movie. (To be clear, I’m not complaining about over-the-top elements, but you’ll need to go further than “willing suspension” and actively lock up your disbelief and throw away the key.)
We soon return to the present to see Dom (Vin Diesel) and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) living a bucolic life off the grid with young Brian, Dom’s adorable young son who (of course) is being taught how to fix engines by Dad. Do the Torettos miss all the extreme driving? Of course they do, but Dom claims to have left that in the past. But as an unknown SUV pulls up, Dom & Letty pull out some fairly heavy-duty weaponry and send Brian off to hide; clearly they fear the past hasn’t left them.
Their visitors turn out to be more of the old crew – Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), who are welcomed with open arms. The visitors have come with news that the man that brought them into the spy game, Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) has sent them a cryptic S.O.S. message. The message contains coordinates and evidence that an old nemesis, Cypher (Charlize Theron) is involved. Although initially hesitant, Dom joins the rest of the crew on a trip to Central America to find out what happened to Mr. Nobody.
Now that we have buy-in from Dom, the plot can get really get started. The crew’s discovery of mysterious tech leads to gunfights and a wild chase scene through the jungle, which then sets the stage for Jakob Toretto (John Cena) to make an appearance. It’s not a joyful reunion for the Toretto brothers. Jakob, almost as skilled a driver as Dom, is now a rogue secret agent, and makes off with that MacGuffin, leaving the rest of the crew dumbfounded. And now Mia (Jordana Brewster) is involved since, as she reminds Dom, Jakob is her brother too.
The plot then goes into classic James Bond territory; it turns out Jakob is working for Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen) the billionaire son of the head of an unnamed state, who plans to use the MacGuffin tech to take over the world. The plot jumps through a few hoops to show us some familiar faces past entries in the franchise, including Lucas Black, Helen Mirren, Shad “Lil’ Bow Wow” Moss, and most notably, Sung Kang as Han. The news of Sung Kang’s return broke a long time ago, but like the sudden discovery of brother Jakob, the story of Han’s reappearance is far from the most unbelievable part of the movie.
As in other long-running franchises, it can be tricky to give all the returning characters enough screen time to satisfy, but Lin manages to give everyone more than simply one moment to shine. In fact, one of the smartest moves he makes is to use the characters almost as a sort of Greek chorus, to comment on the very tropes he’s using in the movie. In one hilarious (and frankly mind-blowing) Gibson’s Roman questions the crew’s repeated survival, almost as if Lin was cribbing from Tom Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.’ We also get another character saying “if this was a movie, this is the moment when…” and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t work. But there are also some moments that give some characters a little more depth. The brief meditation on parenthood from Letty and Mia doesn’t feel forced too forced, mainly because Letty basically admits she’d rather be tearing it up instead of hiding out. And in one of the more inspired choices, we discover that Ramsey doesn’t drive, so obviously she has to get behind the wheel.
Rest assured, that if you came for the spectacle, you won’t be disappointed, and it’s amazing that the filmmakers are still coming up with new things to do with vehicles. This franchise has always made sure to make the cars into co-stars, and on his third outing in this series as cinematographer, Stephen F. Windon, is still using bright and vibrant colors and lighting to make the cars pop, and his framing really gives us a sense of the layout of each location. A trio of editors, Greg D’Auria, Dylan Highsmith, and Kelly Matsumoto, deftly follow multiple characters through each set piece and allow us to see the stakes for each individual without losing sight of the whole or getting confused as to who is doing what. There is one particular shot of Cena looking through iron bars that comes off a bit campy, though.
As much as this movie is a spy story, Lin keeps us invested in the relationship between Dom and Jakob. Flashbacks to Dom’s past will pop up throughout the film, and Lin uses them fairly effectively to support an arc in the brothers’ relationship as the movie progresses. This is absolutely an action movie, but Lin’s past outings in the franchise gives him a familiarity with the characters that helps this movie be a bit more than a just smash-em-up car movie. I may have some minor grumbles about some of Lin’s decisions (especially one of the final shots), but F9 turns out to be one of the better entries in the entire series. There’s also a great mid-credits scene.
For what it’s worth, I’m glad to have seen this on a big screen, although I’ll admit I love every entry in this franchise. I’m glad this one was held until it was safe (or safer) to go to a theater. If you’re open to it, there’s an infectious sense of fun that permeates this movie, and you’ll really feel it if you’re seeing it with other fans at the same time.
Brewster’s character Mia hasn’t been seen since 2015’s “Furious 7,” when Paul Walker‘s character was written out. After the actor’s untimely death, the series didn’t kill off his character, Brian O’Conner, so now it might be tricky to explain how Mia and son are back and he’s not.
It’s possible Mia and baby Ryan (if we heard the child actor correctly. Maybe it’s “baby Brian”?) may only be in the film briefly while Brian is presumably off on another mission.
