Stepping away from Fast and Furious should free Vin Diesel up for his other more nerdy ventures.
Vin Diesel, the longstanding stoic face of the Fast and Furious franchise, is reportedly preparing for his final ride in what appears to be a dramatically scaled-back eleventh mainline installment (or is it twelfth?).
According to Jeff Sneider’s newsletter, Fast 11 is set to take a “lean and mean” approach, significantly reducing its still-likely massive budget compared to the unreasonably extravagant $340 million spent on Fast X. This new direction will look to ground the franchise closer to its roots, focusing on a single heist or race, contrasting the global escapades of recent films.
The decision to scale back may stem from the underwhelming box office performance of Fast X, which, despite grossing $714.6 million worldwide, barely made a profit due to its massive budget. This has led to Universal Pictures rethinking its strategy, potentially making Fast 11 the final installment in the series. The film is slated for release on April 4, 2025, and is expected to retain its signature elements like big cars and high-stakes action, possibly concluding with a traditional family gathering – presumably at the Toretto family house in Los Angeles.
The future of the franchise’s villainous characters remains uncertain, particularly regarding the villain, Dante Reyes, who was played to perfection by Jason Momoa. Introduced in Fast X as the unhinged vengeful son of Portuguese-Brazilian businessman and drug lord, Hernan Reyes, Momoa quickly became a fan-favorite. Unfortunately, the younger Reyes might not return for Fast 11, leaving questions about the resolution of the cliffhanger ending of the previous film. This would also imply that a new antagonist would take over for the final chapter of the series.
Diesel’s departure from the series marks a significant moment for the franchise, which he has been a part of since he’d made his debut in the first film in 2001. His portrayal of Dominic Toretto has become THE defining feature of the multi-billion-dollar series, and his final appearance will likely be a poignant moment for fans. This change also opens the door for Universal to explore new directions for the franchise, including potential spin-offs and other explorations of the Fast & Furious universe.
Additionally, Dwayne Johnson is starring in a spin-off movie after his return in Fast X. This film, separate from Fast 11, will bridge the events between Fast X and Fast 11. The involvement of Johnson and Diesel as producers in this project signifies a potential reconciliation following their well-known feud.
Of course, it’s important to note that there’ve been talks that Fast X is a two-part film, which means that, technically, its follow-up isn’t going to be Fast 11, but, rather, Fast X: Part 2.
Considering that Vin Diesel previously teased that his next Fast and Furious film won’t be the last, it’s possible that this report is indeed true – it’s just that people are getting Fast X: Part 2 and Fast 11 mixed up with each other.
In this hypothetical scenario, Fast X: Part 2 would still be a massive film that will see the tightknit family of friends-turned-family (and actual family members) survive Dante Reyes’ unhinged machinations. This would then pave the way for a more return-to-the-roots Fast 11 with a trimmed budget and a focused on fewer locations, potentially offering the audiences a familiar but now-fresh perspective on a franchise that has since evolved from seeing the group of friends hijack oil rigs and steal DVD players to make money to saving the world from nuclear disaster.