Fast X: Michelle Rodriguez says Jason Momoa is the best male villain the franchise has ever had

Last Updated on March 31, 2023

The Fast and Furious franchise has had its fair share of unforgettable villains, including Johnny Tran (Rick Yune), Carter Verone (Cole Hauser), Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), and Cipher (Charlize Theron) to name a few. Each character is larger than life and knows how to disrupt the Fast family dynamic. However, a new nemesis with a significant axe to grind is about to enter the driver’s seat for Fast X, and Michelle Rodriguez says he’s the best male villain yet. I’m talking about Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes, of course.

Speaking on Collider Ladies Night to promote the upcoming release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Rodriguez said Momoa’s Reyes is the best male villain the Fast & Furious franchise has ever had.

“Revenge with a smirk. It sounds light, but when you see [the movie], you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. I’d say he’s [Reyes] the best male villain we’ve had in the entire franchise, of course, because Charlize kills it. You know what I mean? She’s a whole other different type of monster, no pun intended,” Rodriguez said about Momoa’s show-stopping performance in the upcoming sequel.

Plot details for Fast X remain a mystery. However, the Fast X trailer gives fans of the franchise plenty to get revved up about. The footage makes it look like Fast X will retcon aspects of Fast Five, with the new film providing an alternate perspective on the film’s exciting bank heist. In Fast X, Reyes says the vault’s contents should have gone to him and that Toretto and his team stole the future he should have had from under him. With revenge on his mind, Dante targets Toretto, his family, and his friends, making their life hell on and off the road.

While it’s not confirmed, Dante could team up with Theron’s Cipher in Fast X. Both villains have reasons to want Toretto and his crew out of the picture, even if that means splitting the spoils.

Louis Leterrier directs Fast X from a screenplay by Justin Lin and Dan Mazeau. Returning castmembers include Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, Michelle Rodriguez as Letty, Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto, Scott Eastwood as Little Nobody, Tyrese Gibson as Roman, Sung Kang as Han, Ludacris as Tej, Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey, Charlize Theron as Cipher, and Helen Mirren as Queenie.

Newcomers to the franchise include Jason Momoa as the “evil and androgynous” villain Dante, Alan Ritchson (Reacher), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Michael Rooker (Slither), and Daniela Melchoir (The Suicide Squad).

While speaking with Total Film, Fast X director Louis Leterrier teased that Dante is “pure chaos.” The unpredictable villain also happens to be obsessed with Dom and has spent years studying his every move. “Dante is in awe of Dom,” Letterrier said. “He’s analyzed him. There’s nowhere to hide, because he knows Dom better than he knows himself. Dom truly meets his match with Dante.”

Do you think Dante will be the best male villain in the Fast and Furious franchise? Who is your favorite villain in the series so far? Sound off in the comments below!