The more than 20-year-old Fast & Furious franchise still has more gas left in its tank, according to lead actor Vin Diesel, who indicated Friday the franchise’s new installment, Fast X, would be the start of a trilogy—instead of the once-planned two movie finale.
At the film’s red-carpet premiere in Rome, Diesel claimed Fast X enthralled Universal Pictures executives so much that they asked: “Could you make Fast X, the finale, a trilogy?’”
Fast X was planned as one chapter of a two-part finale, according to Justin Lin, who exited as the film’s director early in production but still contributed to the Fast X screenplay as a producer.
The film’s production studio, Universal Pictures, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Key Background: A Fast X trilogy would bring the Fast & Furious franchise’s total movie count to 12. The franchise started in 2001 with the release of The Fast and the Furious, a movie that despite lukewarm critical reception found a deeply loyal audience that rocketed it into the multi-billion dollar franchise it is known as today. The films are lauded for their over-the-top action and street racing sequences, with early installments having a large influence on 2000’s car culture. The new movie, which releases May 19, features several popular actors, from franchise veterans such as Michelle Rodriguez and Jason Statham to newcomers like Brie Larson and Jason Mamoa.
Surprising fact: Lin was replaced by Louis Letterier, the director of Clash of the Titans and Now You See Me, and is credited as a creative solution to Fast X’s behind the scenes drama. Lin’s departure was attributed to a major disagreement with lead star and producer Vin Diesel in a four-person meeting that started a discussion about some of Diesel’s notes before tensions escalated and ended with a slammed door. Lin claimed the movie was not worth the toll it would take on his mental health, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and later announced his departure on social media, thanking the cast and crew for their support.
Big number: $6.62 billion. That is the amount of money the Fast & Furious franchise has earned through 10 films.
Further Reading:
‘Fast’ Surprise: Vin Diesel Teases 12th ‘Fast and Furious’ Movie, Says Studio Asked for Three-Part Finale After Seeing ‘Fast X’ (Variety)
‘Fast X’ Will Kick Off Three-Part Finale, Says Vin Diesel (Collider)
