Fans of the Fast and Furious franchise were treated to an action-packed trailer during the Super Bowl this past weekend. Known as the “Fast Saga”, the ninth installment of the petrol-fueled series pulls no punches. The film will bring back the franchise’s many stars, including Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez. Check it out:
F9 Crew vs. The Avengers? Might as well be…
Action movies have done everything possible (and impossible) in the last few decades to muscle their way to the top of the box office. So how do you make a film series that started out about racing cars and literal highway robbery, and keep it relevant for nine installments? Create bigger, badder, high-tech villains. The Fast Saga has done just that, this time with John Cena as the main antagonist. At this point, they may as well be going up against The Avengers. Silly as that sounds, the trailer alludes to just that.
On the surface, this movie looks like it might be a decent action film. Dig just a hair’s breadth under the surface and you’ll find just how silly this may be getting. I will admit, I had low expectations for Hobbs and Shaw, too. But I enjoyed that movie for what it was; a string of entertaining, yet unbelievable, action sequences. Perhaps F9 will fit that same mold. None of these movies will win any Oscars, but they will win box office dollars.
Where is the “Fast Saga” going after this?
Paul Walker’s legacy is tough to live up to. By all accounts, he was a great guy to work with both on and off set. His philanthropy, even after his tragic death, he still lives on and helps people in need. It’s rare to hear good news out of Hollywood, but The Paul Walker Foundation continues to do good in his name, even seven years after his death.
Vin Diesel says Walker’s influence is what helped him cast John Cena to play Jakob Toretto, his character’s brother:
“He [John Cena] came to meet me at my gym right before we were shipping out to make the movie, and I put a post on Instagram that said, ‘Thank you Pablo,’ because I felt like someone had brought me the right person to play Jakob.”
Vin Diesel
Diesel regularly speaks about his love and grief over the loss of his friend, Paul Walker. He says they joked during the first film about one day seeing a Fast and Furious 10 in theaters. Diesel is doing his best to honor that promise. A sequel to F9 is already planned for an April 2021 release.
“I know this sounds crazy but every blue moon, I feel like Pablo [Paul Walker] up there sends me someone. Another soldier for the fight for truth. And today, someone came by the Toretto gym that speaks to what Pablo would have brought me. All love always.”
Vin Diesel
F9: The Wrap-Up
Below is a challenge Walker’s foundation issued to keep his memory alive, and to do good. So now, I challenge you, Hashtagger, to go forth and do good. Do at least one of these a day:
Again, F9 likely won’t win any big awards. But there is something special to be said about Diesel’s motivation to keep the franchise alive after Walker’s death. A story that comes from a place of reverence in the heart, and executed with the intention of honoring the memory of a loved one, will be a powerful story indeed. I’m looking forward to seeing it. For Pablo.
Fast and Furious 9 hits theaters on May 22nd, 2020. Will you be in the audience? What do you think about 19 years of the Fast and Furious movies? For all your movie news and anything geek pop-culture, follow That Hashtag Show! Until next time Hashtaggers…
