The FAST AND FURIOUS saga has always been able to rake in money, but the last few entries have been global phenoms, becoming some of the biggest movies ever around the world. People sure do like revving cars are exposed muscles, and the teams behind the final two FAST movies are not holding back. In order really put the pedal to the metal the franchise is bringing back two series regulars from both in front of and behind the camera – Justin Lin and Jordana Brewster.
Actor and muscle-shirt connoisseur Vin Diesel took to Facebook Live yesterday to make an announcement about the next two installment – first teasing fans to think about who one of the “forefathers” and “architects “ of the series’ rebirth was, before revealing that Lin was returning for the last two movies. He followed that by saying, “You wanted 9 and 10 to be incredible. We’ve heard your concerns about the saga and where it needs to arrive in its final chapters.” EW has confirmed the director is indeed in "advanced talks" to return to direct the installments.
Next, he teased someone fans have been asking to return for some time (according to Diesel), all before panning over to show Brewster standing there, revealing she will be back for the next installments as well. Her return is trickier to contemplate, as she’s married to Brian in the series, played by the late Paul Walker. But this is something we will clearly hear more about soon.
The series was supposed to have its ninth and penultimate installment put out in 2019, but news came out that a Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham spinoff movie was taking over the slot. This caused FAST regular Tyrese Gibson to lash out against Johnson, saying he was putting personal gains over the series’ “family.” Plans for the spinoff are still in place despite Gibson’s pleas/fits, and FAST 9 is set to follow on 2020.
Lin is indeed credited with bringing the series back from the dead, reuniting the original gang for FAST AND FURIOUS (the fourth film), and then taking the movie into the best reviews and box office ever with FAST FIVE, which has put the series on the road to success. He left after the sixth movie and since done STAR TREK BEYOND.
The last two movies were helmed by James Wan and F. Gary Gray and both films crossed well over $1 billion at the global box office, and surely upped the ante in terms of action which included vaulting between skyscrapers in fast cars and outrunning submarines. Lin’s style does seem old-school in comparison, so perhaps this is a sign they want the final two movies to be a bit more grounded. I can’t say for certain, but he did my favorite FAST film (FIVE), so though I’m not a big fan of the series, this is a solid way to go for the “final” two movies. Did you notice I put final in quotes, indicating I do not believe they done after FAST TEN?
FAST NINE is set for April 10, 2020.