Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has achieved EGOT status.
He’s now the 21st person to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
Robert Lopez is the only double-EGOT winner.
You would be forgiven for thinking that he was already there given his career to date, but thanks to a Grammy win as one of the producers on ‘Music by John Williams,’ a tribute to the storied career (and the director’s longtime friend and collaborator), Steven Spielberg has joined the EGOT club.
For those thinking, “EWhat?” it means those who have won the four major awards, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
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Spielberg becomes the 21st person to achieve the illustrious status (see more below).
But despite his many awards, Spielberg has some way to go to compete with ‘Frozen’ co-songwriter Robert Lopez, who has managed to win them all at least twice.
When will Spielberg’s next movie arrive?
The director has his latest movie, sci-fi thriller ‘Disclosure Day’, due on June 12 this year.
Emily Blunt in ‘Disclosure Day’, directed by Steven Spielberg. Photo: Universal Pictures.
(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.
(Left) Jennifer Aniston in ‘The Morning Show,’ premiering September 13, 2023 on Apple TV+. (Right) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Preview:
Jennifer Aniston will produce the remake of ‘9 to 5’.
The original starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton.
Diablo Cody is writing the script for the new version.
But she’s stayed active behind the scenes on movies via her Echo Films company, and has now found something that could be big, if it works to the level of its inspiration.
According to reporter Jeff Sneider, Aniston will produce the re-imagining of classic workplace feminism comedy ‘9 to 5’.
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What’s the story of ‘9 to 5’?
(L to R) Lily Tomlin Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
It was a massive hit in its day, earning more than $103 million at the box office. Parton contributed the iconic theme song, which was nominated for an Original Song Oscar, went platinum and was also nominated for four Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance.
In terms of spin-offs, it inspired a sitcom (starring Rita Moreno), ‘Nine to Five’ that ran for five seasons in the 1980s, while a 2008 Broadway musical (with music and lyrics by Parton), earned four Tony nominations.
More recently, a documentary released in 2022, ‘Still Working 9 to 5’ looked at the movie’s continuing cultural impact.
‘9 to 5’: What has happened with the remake so far?
(L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Even before the latest remake chatter gathered pace, there was talk of a sequel with original co-writer Patricia scripting and Rashida Jones starring.
Yet talk of a remake has also circulated for years, with Lily Tomlin as one of driving forces.
Here’s what she told Indiewire about it:
“I have a big hope! More than Jane. Jane’s gone on to climate change, and she’s very involved in it and rightly so. I would like any material that’s just really rich and true and not dishonest and somehow its intention is communicating something better to humanity. I’m interested in any human issue, any human condition, anything about humanity that’s positive or says something meaningful about how we’re living or what we’re doing to each other, any number of things like that. But we like to get the comedy in there.”
So, why is Jennifer Aniston looking to produce the remake?
Jennifer Aniston in ‘Rumor Has It.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
While it certainly sounds like something Aniston would be interested in regardless –– her company has, after all, been involved in projects such as ‘The Morning Show’, which also tackled attitudes towards women in the workplace.
A closer connection might be Netflix movie ‘Dumplin’, which also saw her starring and producing, and had a soundtrack featuring songs by Parton.
When will the new take on ‘9 to 5’ arrive in theaters?
With the movie still at such an early stage, there is no information about a release date yet, and 20th Century Studios has yet to announce anything.
Jennifer Aniston in ‘Rumor Has It.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
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.
The film is loosely based on the true story of a quartet of octogenarians from Massachusetts who become obsessed with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. In the film (not in real life), the ladies decide to take a road trip to Super Bowl LI to finally see Brady play in person, which results in an unforgettable weekend for the four lifelong friends.
The result is a fun but predictable movie that is basically just a commercial for the NFL and Tom Brady’s legacy. However, the weak script, familiar jokes and corny dialogue is transcended by the four fabulous lead characters and the wonderful performances from the legendary actress playing them.
Full disclosure: I’m from Massachusetts. My mother still lives there, she is over 80, and is a diehard Patriots fan. So, it goes without saying that I was already predisposed to like this movie since all four of the main characters, in one way or another, remind me of my mom. While I definitely had some issues with the script and the ridiculousness of the third act, the film is still very enjoyable, mostly because of the lead actresses.
(L to R) Jane Fonda plays Trish, Sally Field plays Betty, Lily Tomlin plays Lou, and Rita Moreno plays Maura in ’80 For Brady’ from Paramount Pictures.
Of the four main actresses, Lily Tomlin is really the lead, playing Lou, the catalyst for the friends becoming such Brady fans. Tomlin, a legendary comedian in her own right, handles the comedy well, as you would expect, but is really impressive in her dramatic scenes, in particular one with Brady himself.
In fact, all four actress were cast extremely well and play relatable characters. Jane Fonda plays Trish, an author of Rob Gronkowski fan-fiction who is desperately trying to hold on to her youth and beauty. Sally Field plays Betty, a book smart former professor, who still loves her husband (Bob Balaban) but is looking for a little excitement in her life. Finally there is Maura, played by Rita Moreno. She is the oldest of the friends, a widow who misses her late husband, and a bit of a hustler living in a retirement home.
In a movie like this, you could easily see one or two of the actresses getting more screentime than the others, but luckily that is not the case. Each actress has more than a few moments to shine on their own, and all of their characters are fleshed out extremely well. Fonda and Tomlin have worked together before in ‘Nine to Five’ and the Netflix series ‘Grace and Frankie,’ and as you expect, have great chemistry together. But I was also impressed with how much chemistry they both had with Field and Moreno. You really get the feeling that these four women have been friends for a long time.
While the characters are well-defined and their backstories well fleshed out, it’s the familiar attempts at humor and ridiculous third act plot points that hurt the film in my opinion. For example, the ladies attend a Super Bowl party where they are given Gummy Bears, which of course they don’t know are laced with THC. This leads to the characters being high, and getting into silly situations that are extremely predictable, like Maura wondering into a celebrity Poker game.
(L to R) Sally Field as Betty and Lily Tomlin as Lou in ’80 For Brady’ from Paramount Pictures.
Another predictable plot point is when the characters, of course, lose their Super Bowl tickets the day before the game. In fact, this is so predictable that you want to yell at the screen because you can actually see them losing the tickets long before the characters realize it, telegraphing for the audience what the next conflict will be.
Which brings me to my biggest issue with the film, which is that once they get to the Super Bowl, it’s all fantasy. What I mean by that is almost nothing that happens at the Super Bowl could happen in real life. No one can get into a Super Bowl without tickets, the security is just too much, so the idea that these four octogenarians could ultimately find their way in without tickets is just laughable.
But the most ridiculous, over-the-top moment of the film comes during the halftime of Super Bowl LI. Football fans will remember that the Patriots were losing to the Atlanta Falcons 21-3 at halftime, and mounted an unforgettable comeback that took them into overtime eventually winning 34-28. Without giving too much away, the movie would have you believe that it was Lou that inspired Tom Brady’s legendary comeback.
Now, while that is a nice idea for the movie, this is a film supposedly set in reality. It doesn’t take place in the Multiverse as far as I know, it takes place in our world where Tom Brady and the NFL really exists. So, the idea that four 80-year-old women could get access to the star quarterback during halftime was so far beyond any reality I could comprehend, that it took me completely out of the movie.
(L to R) Lily Tomlin plays Lou with Producer Tom Brady in ’80 For Brady’ from Paramount Pictures.
For Brady fans wondering if he just has a cameo in the film, I’m happy to say no, his role is surprisingly larger than that. While he is definitely in a supporting role, he pops up throughout the film, both as himself, and also as himself in Lou’s imagination. Brady gives a strong performance, even if he is just playing himself, and is surprisingly good in his emotional scenes with Tomlin. But it is no surprise to me why Brady would want to make this movie, where he also serves as a producer, because the entire film is one giant ego stroke for the GOAT.
The NFL, which famously doesn’t allow its brand to appear in just any movie, ask Oliver Stone about ‘Any Given Sunday,’ clearly was on board with this production. In fact, a large part of the second act takes place at the NFL Super Bowl Experience, and at times seems more like a commercial for the NFL than a narrative movie. The NFL also (presumably) allowed the film to use footage from Super Bowl LI to recreate the game, which works surprisingly well and is still engaging, even though the audience already knows the outcome.
In the end, ’80 for Brady’ is a fun movie that NFL and Patriots fans will enjoy, and my mom and her friends will love! While the film at times loses any sense of reality and slips into pure fantasy, and has more than its share of script issues and NFL propaganda, it’s funny and works thanks to the talent of Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Rita Moreno.
(L to R) Rita Moreno plays Maura, Jane Fonda plays Trish, Sally Field plays Betty, and Lily Tomlin plays Lou in ’80 For Brady’ from Paramount Pictures.
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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(L to R) Ezra Menas, Ben Cook, Sean Harrison Jones, Mike Faist, Patrick Higgins, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Julius Anthony Rubio, Ricardo Zayas, Josh Andrés Rivera, Sebastian Serra, and Carlos Sánchez Falú in ‘West Side Story’
Opening in theaters on December 10th is the new musical remake ‘West Side Story,’ which is based on the Broadway play and the original 1961 film of the same name. Directed by Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (‘Schindler’s List) and written by Oscar winner Tony Kushner (‘Lincoln’), the film tells the story of teenagers Tony and Maria, who are both affiliated with rival street gangs in 1950s New York. The movie boasts a strong cast of actors including Ansel Elgort (‘Baby Driver’), Rachel Zegler (‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’), Ariana DeBose (‘The Prom’), David Alvarez, Mike Faist (‘Touched with Fire’), Brian d’Arcy James (‘Spotlight’), Corey Stroll (‘Ant-Man’), and Academy Award winner Rita Moreno (the original ‘West Side Story’). The result is a fairly satisfying and visually stunning remake, with some strong performances, which ultimately does not work because there is nothing really new to separate it from its predecessor.
In 1950s New York, two gangs of teenagers, the white Jets, and the Puerto Rican Sharks, struggle for control of the Upper West Side, which will be remodeled soon to become Lincoln Center. The Jets are led by Riff (Faist), and the Sharks are led by Bernardo (Alvarez). After a fight between the two gangs, Rif wants to challenge the Sharks to a rumble, and asks his friend, Tony (Elgort) for help. Tony is a founding member of the Jets, but after nearly killing a boy in a fight, just served a year in prison and wants nothing to do with gang-life. With no family of his own, Tony works at the local drugstore and lives there with its owner, Valentina (Moreno). Tony agrees to go to a local dance with Riff, where the Jets will challenge the Sharks to a rumble.
Meanwhile, Bernardo’s sister, Maria (Zegler), and his girlfriend Anita (DeBose), are getting ready for the dance. Bernardo brings his friend, Chino (Josh Andres Rivera) as Maria’s date, and reluctantly she agrees to go with him. At the dance, Tony and Maria meet, and quickly fall in love. But their time together is short, as Rif challenges Bernardo and the Sharks to a rumble set for the following night. Tony follows Maria home, and eventually they decide to run away together. But before that happens, the rumble takes place and quickly escalates to a tragic degree, leaving Tony and Maria unsure if they can ever actually be together.
I am not the biggest Steven Spielberg fan, but I do recognize him as one of the greatest film directors of all-time, and I have enjoyed several of his recent films, including ‘The Post,’ ‘Ready Player One,’ and ‘Minority Report.’ So, it surprised me that ‘West Side Story’ is basically a shot-for-shot remake of what is widely considered the greatest movie musical of all-time. Spielberg does not update the story, other than casting culturally appropriate actors, and giving a new role to Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the original movie. Other than that, pretty much everything is exactly the same, and it makes me wonder who is this movie for? And why wouldn’t you just watch the original?
That being said, it is interesting to watch the “Spielbergian” version, equipped with a very well-polished screenplay by Tony Kushner. Again, he’s just adapting the already brilliant material, loosely based on William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ but the dialogue and tone is excellent nonetheless. The color pallet of the film is extraordinary and definitely has that “Spielberg feel.” Tony Award-winning Broadway choreographer Justin Peck did an excellent job with the dance sequences, although, dancing knife fights didn’t really work on-screen in 1961, and they still don’t work today. Some of the best parts of the movie are the musical numbers, but again, nostalgia plays a big part in those sequences too.
The cast on a whole is quite good, but let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room: Ansel Elgort. The actor is way out of his depth in this role, and his biggest challenge is caring the weight of the story with conviction, which at times he is unable to do. Elgort is a charming actor, and I really enjoyed him in ‘Baby Driver,’ but in ‘West Side Story’ there are serious moments where you feel like the actor is just on the verge of a smirk, and doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation his character is in. Elgort’s charm works to make the character likable, but at times he comes off a bit aloof, and you begin to wonder what Maria is making such a big deal about?
In complete contrast, Rachel Zegler is adorable as Maria, and beautifully captures the character’s hopes and dreams. She is wonderful in the singing and dancing scenes, and I think this film will be a launching pad for a very successful career. Similarly, Mike Faist was really good as Riff, and brought a slick and believable street-smarts to his part. Just like in the original, the character of Anita is the true show-stopper, and Ariana DeBose takes over the role Rita Moreno won her Oscar for with class and grace. The actress has an amazing singing voice, and sparkles in Anita’s signature song, ‘America.’ Supporting actors Brian d’Arcy and Corey Stroll give strong performances as usual and bring a lot of humor to the film.
In some ways, the film really feels like a love letter to Rita Moreno, who is also a producer on the project. Changing the role of Doc to his widow, Valentina, and casting Moreno is the smartest and only original thing the movie really did. It was also brilliant to have Moreno sing the musical’s signature song, ‘Somewhere,’ instead of Tony and Maria, as it would have been a shame to have Moreno in the movie and not sing. The legendary actress gives a very strong performance, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Academy voters show the icon some love come Oscar time. In the end, Steven Spielberg has delivered a beautiful and visually stunning, but unnecessary remake of an all-time classic without offering anything truly new or exciting to entice the audience.
Rita Moreno as seen in ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It’
Rita Moreno is, simply put, an icon. Her long-running and legendary career has taken her to Broadway, movies and television, and she was the third person ever to achieve an EGOT (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
She was a Kennedy Center honoree in 2015, and in 2019, she was announced as a Peabody award recipient. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the American Masters series has devoted a documentary to the groundbreaking performer.
Moviefone: Can you talk about what it feels like when someone approaches and says, “Hey, we want to do a feature length documentary about you?”
Rita Moreno: I was surprised because I had never been asked before. No, I had never, ever been asked before, and it was Brent Miller who is Norman Lear‘s producing partner, a younger man, who said, “You’ve never been asked, really?” I said, “No.”
I had to think about it because what you’re really doing is entrusting your life to someone, and you want to be very, very, very sure that they’re going to deal with it in the most loving way and respectful way possible and when I was convinced of that I then made a promise that I would be as truthful as I could possibly be.
That was important to me, to the point where the camera would sometimes show up for the documentary and I wouldn’t have makeup on, and I would just go about my business and do what I wanted. However, I hate watching myself with no makeup. Hate it.
MF: In the movie, you talk a lot about the little girl inside you, Rosita. So what does little Rosita think about this documentary having been made?
RM: I’m glad you asked that because the truth is that Rosita still lives in me and that, really, what that is, is a symbol of a person who used to be my downfall. She was a little girl who loathed herself because she was a “spic”, whatever that meant, and she was a little girl who was always glad to see me fail at something.
And here’s what’s interesting about Rosita, she still exists in me. The difference is that I can now say to her, which is a measure of my maturity, “Go to your room.” I’m dead serious, which is another way of saying that psychotherapy is not the be-all and end-all. It’s very important.
It’s probably the best thing I ever did for myself, but that doesn’t mean that all the bad stuff goes away just like that. It doesn’t. How you deal with it is what changes. I still am very sensitive, sometimes about certain things having to do with my nationality, and I’m always taken by surprise by that.
I thought, “Oh my, God, get over it. What’s wrong with you?” But if you’re wounded, you’re wounded. And the scars don’t always completely close.
That’s how it is. Therapy is not the magic wand. It helps you. It’s just very helpful.
MF: You also talk about not really having a Latina role model when you started in show business-
RM: There was no such thing.
MF: So when did it occur to you that you were the role model, and did that make you change anything?
RM: That didn’t even occur to me. It was banged into my head by a number of Hispanic people who said, “Do you know? Are you aware that people in our community look up to you?” Some do, I’m not saying everybody, obviously. But it took me a very, very, very long time.
I would say until about West Side Story, which is quite a while back. It took a long time because I had never played a Hispanic character who had a sense of dignity. Never, never, never, never.
So she, actually Anita, became my role model at a very late stage in my life. And I remember thinking, “Oh, this is how you deal with life when you like yourself.” I remember that very, very clearly.
‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It’ is currently in theaters.
