It is close to impossible for a franchise to beat the global popularity of the Fast and Furious series. After the 2001 The Fast and the Furious release, every installment has dominated the box office over the years combining a total of $6 billion and counting.
The franchise has a unique recipe for success- first, the stellar star cast and then bringing big WWE names like Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, and Ronda Rousey. Now, the Fast and Furious franchise is an established cinematic dominance and the makers realize that the characters of the franchise are key ingredients to its success.
Dwayne Johnson’s Coming Back to the Franchise?
The latest installment of the series Fast X is running in theatre and the post-credit scene has created a buzz among fans. In the end credit, Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs appeared confirming the return of the beloved character.
Further, Fast X director Louis Leterrier explained to The Hollywood Reporter how he convinced Johnson to come back to the series.
“The peace treaty … I kind of did. We all did. Ultimately, the movie did. I didn’t know Dwayne personally, but we reached out to Dwayne and Dwayne’s team. We sort of looked at each other from across the room and winked a few months back, saying, “We should work together.”
“And then I had this idea, and I presented it to the producers and the studio. And then we reached out to Dwayne and his team and said, “Just come and watch the movie. You have to love the movie first.” So he came to see the movie and really loved it, and then we started talking.”
Now, it’s pretty clear that the 51-year-old wrestler-turned-action megastar will continue riding the fast cars in the series again.
Also read: Dwayne Johnson’s $217M Homage to Martial Arts Legend Bruce Lee Proves He’s a Huge Fan
Louis Leterrier Won’t Continue Without Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot
Leterrier understands the recipe for the success of the franchise well, he integrates the importance of the characters in several interviews. Recently, the director explained Total Film as the essence of the characters in the series.
“It came together because I am a fan. I am the fan that started being a filmmaker when the first movie came out, so I grew up watching these movies. They were always the high mark of what I was trying to do I love these characters, I love these actors. For me, nothing was off the table. I asked the studio, and the producers, can we reach out and show them the movie, can we have a conversation? Because, as a fan, my greatest hope is to have this movie finish at its character apex,” Leterrier said.
Further, the director went on to explain that the series is all about the characters and themes and every character is a piece of the puzzle that moves the franchise forward.
“It’s about the characters and the themes – and how all these pieces and these characters that they created are going to come together to finish this franchise – possibly the greatest action franchise in the world – at its peak. And the peak is only done through characters.”
Leterrier also said that he won’t continue the franchise without either Dwayne or Gal Gadot. “And frankly, as a fan, I could not conceive continuing the franchise without either Dwayne or Gal Gadot,” Leterrier said.
Finally, Leterrier’s vision of the remaining franchise is somewhat fulfilled. Fans are also excited about the return of the megastar reprising his role and showing off his muscular blaze.
Also read: Fast and Furious Franchise Ranked – Where Does Fast X Land?
Why Did Dwayne Johnson Leave the Franchise in the First Place?
The beef between Johnson and Vin Diesel has grabbed headlines in the past. The fallout between the stars was evident in public around the end of shooting Fate of the Furious in August 2016 when Johnson referred to unnamed male actors as “candy asses.” Earlier reports also stated that Diesel resented the massive success of Johnson and Jason Statham’s spin-off film Hobbs & Shaw.
Earlier in 2018, the Black Adam star said that they had “a fundamental difference in philosophies on how we approach moviemaking and collaborating.” Further reports also stated that the actors didn’t shoot any of their scenes in Fate of the Furious together. Later Johnson confirmed saying, “I thought that was the best thing to do. For everybody.”
Following the feud, Johnson revealed in 2021 that he had no desire to return to the franchise.
Apparently, the issues have been resolved and fans will get to see the megastar after his long absence from the series. With Johnson coming on board, fans could see his Red Notice co-star Gal Godot reprising her role Gisele Yashar in the franchise as the director clearly stated his intention to bring the Wonder Woman star back.
Fast X was released on 19 May 2023 and currently running in theatre.
Source: Collider.
