The Fast and Furious movies has been occupying the big screen (and theme parks) since back in 2001, so it's already been well over two decades of the action/adventure property. Following Fast X's ending, fans have been looking forward to the 11th and final movie of the beloved IP. But Fast Forever has taken a long time, and Vin Diesel recently posted a video from the set thanking the fandom for their patience. Hey, that's what family is for!

What we know about Fast Forever has been limited, but fans are excited to see how Dom and the rest of the crew conclude their story... especially after the Fast X credits scenes brought back multiple characters. But cameras are finally up, and Diesel took to his Instagram to share a video of love for the fandom. Check it out below:

While hardcore Fast and Furious fans might be looking to the background to try and glean what might be going on in the eleventh and final chapter in the franchise, it's also heartening so see how much the Guardians of the Galaxy director appreciates the audience. Moviegoers have grown up with Dom Toretto and the rest of The Family, and are seemingly invested in Fast Forever despite the wait.

With a car (appropriately) in the background, Vin Diesel shared how much it's meant to have the support of the Fast and Furious community over the years, but especially in the wait since Fast X hit theaters. In his words:

Fast X (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription) planed some thrilling narrative seeds, which is a big reason why the wait for the next movie has felt so long. At the end of the movie Gal Gadot's Gisele surprisingly appeared, and is the latest seemingly dead character who has turned up alive. But the cherry on the top was Dwayne Johnson, who returned to to the flagship series after starring in his spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.

Later in the same clip, Vin Diesel shared even more love for the fans, saying:

The pressure is definitely on for Diesel and company to land the plane, and give the Fast and Furious saga a satisfying ending. The franchise has come a long way over the years, going from a movie about street racing to a full-blown action extravaganza. I mean, they even went to space. So it should be fascinating to see what the final adventure ends up being, and if the whole Family survives.

All will be revealed when Fast Forever hits theaters on March 17th, 2028. Since it's not on the 2026 movie release list or even 2027's the fandom is going to have to continue being patient. Luckily Vin Diesel appreciates them.

Members of the Fast & Furious “family” have been waiting some time now for the final installment in the blockbuster franchise to begin filming. Around the fall of 2025, it was reported that the film was in limbo due to financial variables. The series’ lead actor and producer, Vin Diesel, has been providing updates nonetheless and, back in January, he confirmed a date for the film as well as a title, Fast Forever. Now, with the film still waiting to leave the starting line, Diesel is sharing some words that are keeping him upbeat.

Beloved for his role as Dominic “Dom” Toretto, Diesel has long been a champion for this car-centric movie series and its offshoots. So the A-lister seemingly takes whatever opportunity he can to hype up the franchise and in turn, get fans excited about it. Diesel recently took to his Instagram to share a candid post about his body of work and provide some insight into being a creative force. The Saving Private Ryan alum also opened up about four words of wisdom his father bestowed upon him, which he’s taken to heart:

“Finish what you started” is definitely a great mantra to live by, and it feels especially appropriate for Diesel at this point in his life as the co-shepherd of a massive IP. Diesel’s storied journey with the Fast franchise – which turned 25 this year – doesn’t seem to be something he takes for granted. Later in his post, the actor emphasized another point he’s previously made about Fast’s conclusion – closing it out with a worthy final chapter:

It seems the actor can certainly recognize the starts and stops that Fast 11 has experienced during its road to the big screen. However, per the point he makes, what’s most important is that those in the driver’s seat finish out the journey accordingly. Check out the post in its entirety:

As far as we know, the plan is for Diesel, Universal and co. to finish what they started with the Fast & Furious series, with the studio having marked a March 17, 2028 release date for Fast Forever. Plot details are unsurprisingly being kept locked away as tightly as Dom would secure one of his sweet vehicles. Something that’s been promised about FF11, though, is that it’ll return the franchise to “its roots” in LA street racing culture. That’s something that’s been sorely missed by fans as more recent installments have become more grandiose.

While work is reportedly being done on the film, it seems much of the cast is still in the dark about what the story is or when the cameras might start rolling. Tej Parker actor Ludacris recently revealed he hadn’t seen a script and that he wasn’t sure when principal photography would kick off. All the while, Jordana Brewster is already discussing what she wants in that final film – more agency for her character, Mia Toretto.

Die-hard Fast & Furious fans are surely champing at the bit for more insight into what lies at the end of the road for this blockbuster IP. There’s no telling when such details might arrive, of course, but I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Diesel were to keep fans in the loop (and keep them motivated) while they wait for the release of Fast Forever. In the meantime, stream the latest entry in the series, Fast X, with a Peacock subscription.

Since The Fast and the Furious first hit the scene in 2001, we’ve come to expect a new movie from the timeline-jumping franchise pretty consistently every couple of years. However, it’s been three years since the last movie, Fast X was released and we won’t see another one until 2028! As the Fast & Furious “grand finale” revs up, Ludacris just gave an update on Fast Forever that I was not expecting to hear.

The rapper and the movie series regular Ludacris was asked on the red carpet for the 2026 American Music Awards about the upcoming Fast and Furious movie. Here’s what he had to say:

While Ludacris also said he’s “sworn to secrecy,” he looked pretty matter of fact while speaking to Variety. So it seems like we can trust his word on the matter.

Why Ludacris' Update Confuses Me

Back in 2023, Vin Diesel announced that the eleventh Fast & Furious movie would come out in 2025. Sure, the SAG-AFTRA strikes ended up delaying the movie not long after his comments, but then it was delayed until 2026 before being pushed back to 2027 before finally getting its current 2028 release date in January of this year.

I thought something might have been filmed in all that time, but according to Ludacris, it’s still early days for the sequel. He also shared this:

I’m so confused… What's been going on for the past four years, then? On one hand, I know that Vin Diesel has expressed there being a “weight” to ending the series, but I’m pretty surprised about the lack of work that’s reportedly been done on the movie. Ludacris specifically saying “hopefully” in association with the movie is also wild given Fast Forever has been so hyped by Vin Diesel in recent years.

Now, there was a rumor this past October from the Wall Street Journal that a script had yet to be locked in for the movie and studio executives were working with the filmmakers to make the upcoming movie more affordable than before – especially after Fast X made $705 million globally against an alleged production budget of $340 million.

Vin Diesel has previously teased that he’s aiming to shoot Fast Forever in Los Angeles in order to bring the movie back to its roots. Ludacris is certainly right that the movie will have to start shooting this year if it’s going to make its March 17, 2028 release date. Given all the delays, I’ll be pumping my brakes on anticipating the film until we get some concrete details! But hey, maybe they’re hard at work to make sure it’s the best Fast movie it can be.

It seems it’s becoming increasingly commonplace for massive movie franchises to branch out into TV in one way or another. The Fast & Furious series did that several years ago with an animated series, Spy Racers (and it’s streamable with a Netflix subscription). However, it seems F&F is about to roar onto the small screen in an even bigger way, as it’s been announced that Vin Diesel is producing a live-action show based on the IP. With that, there’s one TV pitfall I hope Diesel and co. will shy away from amid development.

Vin Diesel Confirms His Intention To Expand The F&F Franchise With A TV Show

Diesel made the announcement during the NBCUniversal upfront presentation on Monday. At the time, the A-lister asserted that four Fast & Furious TV shows were being created, but a source for Variety has since clarified that only one – which will be available to Peacock subscription holders – is in the works at this point. Still, Diesel’s comment suggests that he envisions multiple small-screen offshoots for the billion-dollar franchise he’s spearheaded for well over two decades now. At the event, he shared the following sentiments:

No specific plot details on the upcoming show were divulged, though Diesel did allude to fans’ desire for stories about the core characters that make up Dominic Toretto’s “family.” That’s far from a confirmation about what’s to come with the confirmed F&F series or any future ones. Nevertheless, I’m going to say now that instead of focusing on established characters, there may be a better way to go.

How The Fast & Furious’ TV Branch Can Avoid A Growing TV Trend

Like so many people, I’m someone who doesn’t mind an interconnected franchise, though even I can admit that they can become somewhat tedious. The past few years alone have seen the likes of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe spread their TV wings, to mixed results. What can sometimes bog these franchises down on the small-screen side is being beholden to events that occur in corresponding films. On that note, I would love to see any Fast & Furious shows launch new corners of this universe.

I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t see the appeal of a spinoff series focusing on the adventures of Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pearce and Ludacris’ Tej Parker or a show about Letty Ortiz. A series about Sung Kang’s Han Lue also might have appeal. However, I think it’d be far more interesting to shift the focus to new characters within this continuity. With that, the creative team(s) wouldn’t be tethered to any pre-established lore, and a show could speed off onto its own path.

A standalone series could also potentially prevent any further questions regarding the Fast & Furious’ timeline. Let’s be real, not everything within this universe aligns smoothly, and it may be smart to avoid any kind of hiccups. To that end, the show could take a note from Spy Racers, as that show features original characters and only rare appearances from Dom.

Of course, aside from any kind of TV spinoff, there’s still the matter of the final film in the F&F franchise. There were varying reports on Fast & Furious 11’s status following Fast X’s release in 2023, but it’s since been confirmed that the movie will open in theaters on March 17, 2028. Diesel has been open about ending the series on a high note and, all the while, Universal’s CEO is backing up the actor’s “promise” that the saga capper will take the series back to its LA street-racing roots.

I’m curious as to whether this Fast & Furious TV show will be released before or after the eleventh film installment. If the series is being planned to debut after the film, though, I’d say that’s even more reason for the former to be a self-contained piece of work. We’ll have to wait and see how that all shakes but, while you wait for both projects to reach the finish line, stream Fast X and other installments on Peacock.

We’ve known that the Fast & Furious franchise is ending for several years now, but the wait for that final chapter goes on. Assuming there are no more setbacks and delay, it should finally happen when Fast & Furious 11, officially titled Fast Forever, is released in 2028. That means, among other things, that we’ll be bidding goodbye to Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto, and the actor opened up on social media about the “particular weight” he’s feeling with bringing the Fast Saga to a proper close.

Taking to his Instagram page, Vin Diesel reflected on the 25 years he’s spent working with “writers, crew members, performers” on the Fast & Furious movies. That now includes screenwriter Michael Leslie, whom Variety reported yesterday to be penning Fast Forever. Diesel confirmed Leslie’s involvement with the post’s picture, saying that what the writer has planned for the upcoming movie is a “story with something real beating inside it.” He continued:

The Fast & Furious franchise has come a long way from the first movie in 2001 focusing on street racing and electronics thefts. It’s become one of the most popular action franchises of the 21st century, encompassing not just movies, but also a Netflix subscription-exclusive animated series, theme park attractions, video games and more. So I get why Vin Diesel feels the pressure of making sure Fast Forever ends this era effectively, not just for himself, but the fanbase.

Taking things back to Los Angeles to honor the franchise’s roots will hopefully be a step in the right direction like he wants. Then there’s the question of how Fast Forever will pick up on Fast X’s cliffhanger ending and wrap up plot threads like Dante Reyes’ revenge mission against Dominic Toretto and his allies, and the return of Gal Gadot’s Gisele Yashar, whom was thought to have died in Fast & Furious 6. At one point, there was supposed to be an interquel movie pitting Jason Momoa’s Dante against Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs between Fast X and Fast & Furious 11, but there’s been no update on that project in years, so I’m assuming (for now) it’s been scrapped.

In addition to Michael Leslie writing Fast Forever’s script, Louis Leterrier is also resuming his directorial duties after taking over from Justin Lin on Fast X. The movie is currently slated for March 17, 2028. We’ll keep you apprised on more updates as they come in, and don’t forget that Fast X can currently be streamed with a Peacock subscription.

2026 is already a big year for the themed entertainment industry. Dollywood has an incredible new ride coming that I can’t wait to see. Walt Disney World’s new The Magic of Disney Animation building looks magical. But for fans looking for a bit more of a thrill, the most anticipated roller coaster of they ear has to be Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. The coaster will be a first-of-its-kind design that will be the big attraction that such a high-octane franchise truly needs, and even Vin Diesel can’t wait to ride it.

Diesel recently posted to Instagram about the upcoming roller coaster, where he seemingly got a very up-close view. He was carrying a hard hat and vest, which indicates that he got to walk the grounds of the still under-construction ride and get a personal look at Hollywood Drift, ahead of its official opening this summer.

Diesel refers to the fact that 2026 is the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Fast & Furious franchise, which is honestly still a little tough to wrap my head around. Still, that does make it the perfect year for Hollywood Drift to open. It will be a perfect place for fans to celebrate the franchise, considering that the next Fast & Furious movie, while it’s finally back on track, is still a couple of years away.

I’ve been excited about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift since the coaster was first rumored, and not because I’m a major fan of the increasingly outrageous franchise, but because I’m excited about the way the ride has been constructed. It will make use of the Starway, the massive escalator between the upper and lower lots of Universal Studios Hollywood, and even loop around it, making for a pretty impressive experience from either perspective.

Hollywood Drift was recently given a summer 2026 opening window. While that covers a lot of potential time, we can expect it to open as early in that period as possible. There’s a safe bet it will actually open before summer technically gets underway, as most theme parks include anytime from Memorial Day Weekend forward (and sometimes even earlier) as “summer.”

Check out that opening window announcement video below.

To "be fair to Florida" crowd need not be too disappointed that Holllywood drift is coming to the Hollywood theme park. A version of the ride has also been announced for Universal Studios Florida. Based on its location and description, the Florida ride will be a little different than the one in California, giving theme park fans and Fast & Furious fans, plenty of reason to bring the family check out both coasters.

When Fast & Furious fans witnessed the cliffhanger conclusion of Fast X back in summer 2023, the assumption at the time was that a follow-up was right around the corner… but you know what they say about assumptions, right? The future of the franchise was held in limbo for a few years following the blockbuster, but now, wheels are finally turning with the development of Fast Forever. Not a lot is presently known about the upcoming sequel, as lips are being kept sealed, but Donna Langley, chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, has at least confirmed one key detail about the project: it will be set where the whole epic saga began.

The executive talks about the project in a recent interview with Variety, though she makes it very clear that there is far more that she can’t say about the movie than she can. There are a lot of questions swirling around following the Fast X ending regarding certain characters’ fates and resurrections of others, but she wouldn’t spill the beans about anything, instead deferring to star Vin Diesel, who is known to post about personal news on his Instagram. Said Langley,

Will Dom Torretto and his son survive the wall of water and rocks set to rain down on them from the dam blown up by Jason Momoa's Dante Reyes? Are Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Han (Han Lue) still alive after their plane exploded? What can we expect from the return of Luke Hobbes (Dwayne Johnson)? How is Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) still alive? Donna Langley isn’t saying anything right now.

The one thing she does talk about is the Los Angeles setting of Fast Forever. Since the release of Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift and the evolution of the franchise that started with Fast Five, the focus of the series has been more global, but the tenth sequel will bring the story back to Southern California and the focus back to the culture that launched everything. Langley explained that production will take place on location in Los Angeles, saying,

There is still a lot of time before the film needs to be in production. Fast Forever isn’t dated for this year or next year, but instead for the year after that – as the project has planted a flag in a March 17, 2028 release date. We’ll surely hear a lot more about what to expect from the blockbuster between now and then, so keep checking back here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest updates.

There are a lot of great theme park attractions coming in 2026 that are worth getting excited about. Dollywood has a brand new ride that looks like nothing we’ve ever seen. Disney World is making new updates to some popular rides. Silver Dollar City is transforming its park with a brand new resort. However, at the top of any list has to be Universal Studios Hollywood’s upcoming Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster.

After the Fast & Furious franchise’s first theme park attraction was a bit anticlimactic, Vin Diesel and family are finally getting the ride they deserve. The drifting roller coaster has always been an exciting prospect, and now we have a better idea when we’ll get to ride it. A new promo was just dropped by Universal Studios, indicating a Summer 2026 opening, and they even brought in Vin Diesel for it. Check it out.

The timing of this new 30-second spot is no accident. Universal Studios Hollywood confirms we'll be seeing this during the Super Bowl this weekend, as well as during the Winter Olympics and other major events. Universal is clearly investing a lot in promoting this ride.

There had been some hopes that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift might be closer to opening than the summer. Some rumors had indicated there might have been a plan for a spring debut. That apparently wasn’t the case, meaning Hollywood Drift won’t be open when Fan Fest Nights returns later this year.

Still, it should be pointed out that seasons at theme parks are really only suggestions that have no relationship to what an actual calendar might say. “Summer” in a theme park usually starts around Memorial Day Weekend, a full month before the season actually arrives. The ride could, and likely will, open close to that weekend, and if it can open earlier, it will.

The promo is obviously all CGI, but it certainly does the job of making the coaster look pretty incredible. We do see how the individual cars will drift as the coaster goes through each turn. We also see the major inversion on the coaster, which will actually loop around the starway, the series of escalators that take Universal Studios guests between the upper and lower lots.

The coaster's opening season comes alongside indications that the long-awaited Fast & Furious 11 movie may finally be moving forward again. The movie, apparently titled Fast Forever, was just recently given a brand new release date in 2028.

I can’t wait to bring my family to ride Hollywood Drift this summer. And if you can’t make it to Universal Studios Hollywood in the near future, that’s ok. Universal Orlando Resort, which will also see a version of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opening in 2027.

We finally got some news about the last Fast and Furious film, and it's big. After quite a bit of waiting, Vin Diesel revealed the official release date for the franchise's finale, and he seemingly shared the title too.

Posting a photo of Paul Walker handing him a set of keys, Vin Diesel took to Instagram to share this big update about the long-awaited final Fast and Furious movie. Writing about how these flicks have "defined us and become our legacy," the Dom actor closed out his update by revealing the movie's release date and what seems to be the title:

Well, there you have it. As we work through the 2026 movie schedule, it's been revealed that the eleventh movie in the Fast and Furious franchise is seemingly titled Fast Forever, and it will premiere a little over two years from now, on March 17, 2028.

Now, Fast X was released back in 2023, which means five years will have passed between it and Fast Forever. Back in 2024, Louis Leterrier, who directed the last movie, said he thought Fast 11 would come out in 2026, to honor the 25-year anniversary of the franchise. However, in 2025, reports came out about alleged reasons why Fast Forever was in limbo. So, the release window for this movie had become a little unclear.

However, now it’s solidified. According to Vin Diesel, who is constantly hyping up the Fast movies, it will be released a little over two years from now.

This comes about seven months after Diesel said that the late Paul Walker's character Brian might return for the final Fast movie. According to the actor (via THR), he said he'd make the film under the conditions that it brought the franchise back to LA, returned to "car culture," and reunited Dom and Brian.

Now, while it's unclear how exactly Brian will come back, we do know that the final Fast and Furious movie will be filmed in LA. Back in early 2025, amid the tragic LA wildfires, the Dom actor pledged that “Fast will finally return home.”

Considering The Fast and the Furious took place in LA, this feels like the perfect place to close out the story. And using the title Fast Forever feels perfect too. Diesel told the AP back in 2021 that “all good things should” come to an end, and he noted that this franchise’s conclusion felt like a “deserved” one. So, I’m sure they have something very special planned.

Now the wait is really on for Fast Forever, and as we learn more about it, we’ll keep you posted. However, if there’s one thing I know about all this, it’s that family is forever.

When Deadpool & Wolverine became a massive hit last year, it reunited star Hugh Jackman with Shawn Levy, the director of one of Jackman’s most underrated films, Real Steel. This brought about many questions about a possible Real Steel 2. As a fan of the original, I was very excited by that, but thus far, we’ve heard nothing about such a film. But apparently, a new robot boxing movie is on the way, but from a very different source.

Vin Diesel Is Writing A Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots Movie

Some fairly surprising news just dropped from Deadline, which reports that Vin Diesel is attached to star, produce, and write a movie based on Mattel’s classic Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots toy. Diesel’s attachment to the project actually dates all the way back to 2021, but the news that he will now pen the script is new. While no details of the story have been revealed, Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Studios and Chief Content Officer, is calling the actor's take on the material “deeply cinematic.”

Needless to say, the words “deeply cinematic” were not ones I expected to see connected to a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie. But, then again, Mattel shocked us all by making a Barbie movie that was incredible and deeply cinematic, I would say, so anything is possible. We can’t discount the possibility that the same thing could happen here.

Comparisons to Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots were certainly made back when Real Steel came out in 2011. The film saw a world where people had been taken out of combat sports, and instead, robots take their place. Jackman plays an absent father who attempts to connect with his son through training a robot. So, you can see why the two titles have been tied together.

Could Real Steel 2 Actually Happen?

It’s hard to gauge what the real possibilities of a Real Steel 2 might be. While Shawn Levy has certainly expressed interest and indicated Hugh Jackman would likely also be on board, there's no sign that anybody is actually trying to make such a movie happen. Anyway, Levy is a bit busy right now making a movie with Ryan Gosling in a galaxy far, far, away.

Now, if Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots actually happens, it could have a material impact on such a sequel. If Vin Diesel’s new project moves ahead quickly, it might be enough to kill the possibility of Real Steel 2 happening, as no studio probably wants to be the second one to tell a similar story.

Still, as somebody who generally likes movies where big robots punch each other, I’ll give Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots a chance. At least it will give Vin Diesel something to do while he waits to figure out if we’re ever going to get a finale to the Fast & Furious franchise.

In 2013, Hollywood and the world at large lost a bright star in Paul Walker. The beloved actor had various credits under his belt, but he was best known for his role as Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious movies. Walker’s untimely death came shortly after Thanksgiving, and his loss is still felt by those who admired his work and of course, by those who knew him. FF co-star Vin Diesel still honors Walker with tributes and, in his most recent, he expressed his disbelief that it’s been 12 years since his co-star passed (and fans feel the same way).

Vin Diesel rarely passes up an opportunity to pay tribute to his Fast & Furious “family” on social media. On the 12th anniversary of Paul Walker’s death, Diesel took to Instagram to share a BTS photo and a tribute to “Pablo.” Diesel started his message with the words “twelve years,” signifying just how long he’s been without his good friend. From there, Diesel spoke about the ties that still bind his and Walker’s families together – like his own daughter being named Pauline and Walker’s daughter, Meadow, still being close to Diesel’s family.

The Riddick star then proceeded to discuss what his Thanksgiving dinner with his family was like this year. It was apparently during that meal that the A-lister had a bittersweet epiphany:

Paul Walker died at the age of 40 following a single-car crash, at which point he was the passenger in the vehicle. Various tributes poured in from fans and celebrities alike following Walker’s death, which coincided with production on Furious 7. As a result, director James Wan completed the film with the help of stand-in work from Walker’s brothers, Caleb and Cody. Even for me personally, it’s still hard to believe it’s been so long since Walker passed away, and fans who commented on Diesel’s post are in their feelings about that:

• 12 years from now we still miss Paul Walker😢😢😢😢😢 - transformerobotfanclub
• It's been a long day without you, my friend. And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again… - brunasacht
• What a wonderful sharing! ❤️❤️❤️ We miss you Paul Walker. Love forever! 🙏❤️ - silviadavanzo_officiel
• Can't believe it's been 12 years since we lost him he was so young too. Paul you maybe gone but you will always be remembered. ❤️❤️ - vamptracey
• Two beautiful brothers. The bond was so great that till today Vin kept Pauls legacy alive. That shows what real friendship is what the word love, brotherhood and dedication means. You are a great person Vin. RIP Paul. ❤️❤️ - annatjie367

Although it’s been over a decade since the Takers star died, his legacy still lives on, and his FF co-stars, in particular, have kept his name alive. Just this past September, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster and Meadow Walker honored Paul on what would’ve been his 52nd birthday. Fans still honor the late star as well and, to that point, Diesel posted to IG in July 2024 after seeing a fan sport a tattoo featuring a quote from Paul. Additionally, the past few years have also seen Diesel tease Brian O’Conner’s inclusion in Fast 11.

Regardless of whether Paul Walker’s character is integrated into the final installment in the main FF franchise, I’m just glad to see Vin Diesel and co. are still paying homage to Walker in other ways. 12 years certainly is a long time to be without someone, and Diesel’s post-Thanksgiving message suggests the loss can still feel fresh. However, it also appears that despite everything, he’s choosing to feel “blessed” to have had Walker in his life. And that’s a true sign of family (which I’d like to believe Dominic Toretto would agree with).

It’s been close to two and a half years since Fast X ended on a precarious note for Dominic Toretto and his allies, but unfortunately, we still don’t know when this will be followed up on. Once previously expected to come out on the 2026 movies schedule, Fast & Furious 11, a.k.a. the final movie in The Fast Saga, remains without a release date, and there have been rumors about how it might even be canceled. Now it seems things are moving in a more positive direction for the project, if Vin Diesel’s latest update is any indication.

Taking to his Instagram account, Diesel posted a series of photos and one video of himself with Michael Moses, the Chief Marketing Officer at Universal Pictures. The video is especially interesting, as while Diesel and Moses are riding around in a golf cart, Moses says, “Out drifting with Dom Toretto planning everything. We got it solved.” Watch it for yourself (last slide)!

That sounds promising, right? It’s certainly better news than what was reported three weeks ago, namely that Universal would only move forward with Fast & Furious 11 if a certain concession was made. Specifically, the film studio supposedly doesn’t want the movie’s budget to exceed $200 million, but the current script for Fast 11, a.k.a. Fast X Part 2, would cost around $250 million to produce. It was also alleged that the Fast & Furious cast members hadn’t signed deals to return yet.

As mentioned earlier, Fast & Furious 11 is meant to conclude the film series that’s been running (driving?) since 2001, so it’s hard to imagine that Universal wouldn’t move forward with the project over a simple budget disagreement. If this social media post from Vin Diesel is to be believed, then evidently this hurdle, assuming it existed in the first place, has been overcome. I should also note that Fast X was made off a budget reportedly exceeding $378 million and only made close to $714.5 million worldwide, so concern about the Fast 11 price tag wouldn’t be unreasonable.

Here’s hoping that whatever problem there was is now “solved,” we’ll finally start getting more concrete updates on how Fast & Furious 11 is progressing. Fast X left several of the starring characters in quite the pickle. Dom Toretto and his son, Brian, were stuck in a dam rigged with explosives by Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes, and Aimes, the double agent working with Reyes, shot down the plane carrying Roman, Tej, Ramsey and Han. It was also revealed in the Fast X ending that Gal Gadot’s Gisele Yashar was still alive, and the mid-credits scene brought Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs back into play.

There was also a time when a midquel set between Fast X and Fast & Furious 11 starring Momoa and Johnson was in the works, but there’s been no update on its status in two years. In any case, sit back, pop open a Corona and keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend for continuing coverage on what’s happening with the Fast & Furious franchise.

It’s been a few years now since a Fast & Furious movie roared into theaters, as Fast X opened in cinemas back in the spring of 2023. That latest installment was touted as the first chapter of a two-part conclusion and, since then, fans have been waiting for developments on the final flick. Vin Diesel has been hyping the project at different points over the last few years. It seems, however, that there are a few major variables keeping the concluding chapter of the FF saga from pulling out of the garage, if some sources are to be believed.

What’s Reportedly Keeping Fast & Furious 11 From Happening?

This past summer, at FuelFest (an event celebrating the FF movies), Vin Diesel appeared and not only declared that the eleventh film would still happen but that three specific things would happen. Diesel claimed the film would return Dominic Toretto and. co to Los Angeles, shift the focus back to street-racing culture and bring back the character of Brian O’Conner. (The late Paul Walker famously played O’Conner until his death in 2013.) However, a source tells The Wall Street Journal that a script has yet to be locked in.

Unnamed individuals also allege to WSJ that members of the Fast & Furious cast have yet to sign deals to return for the final film. Additionally, it’s said that a release date has still yet to be determined by Universal Pictures, the studio that owns this automobile-centric IP. Executives are, however, still willing to move forward with production, according to the insiders. However, the powers that be will apparently only give the green light if one key aspect of production changes.

Execs purportedly want the filmmakers to find a way to make FF11 in a more affordable manner compared to the more recent installments. Back in 2023, Fast X didn’t fare well at the box office, as it finished its run with a global haul of $705 million against a reported budget of around $340 million. The Louis Leterrier-directed film became the fifth highest grossing movie of that year, but it also marked the FF franchise’s lowest haul at the box office in a decade. With that, execs reportedly want a $200 million budget for Fast 11, so that even if the BO total isn’t super high, the film could still theoretically turn a profit. However, per WSJ, the current script for Fast X: Part 2 would cost about $250 million to produce.

Fast & Furious 11’s reported problems coincide with a shift in Hollywood that’s seen a number of massive franchises see lower returns at the box office in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The landscape is changing, with even director James Cameron discussing how he’s trying to make Avatar 4 and 5 more affordably. So, while these details aren’t confirmed, the notion of Universal wanting to be more fiscally conscious when making the latest FF movie isn’t far-fetched, given the state of the industry.

What Have Vin Diesel And His FF Co-Stars Said About Closing Out The Franchise?

Over the years, Vin Diesel has been one of the biggest proponents of the Fast & Furious franchise, and he’s shown no lack of enthusiasm when talking about the final film. Even ahead of FuelFest, in November 2024, Diesel shared a BTS tease of what appeared to be filming for the eleventh film. This past January, Diesel also re-affirmed his desire to film in LA, as a means of bringing business to the city. Even this past week, Diesel shared a cryptic Instagram post about "returning to the streets."

Meanwhile, the rest of the Fast cast has spoken generally about concluding the franchise. Mia Toretto actress Jordana Brewster wants to return to the roots of FF by telling a “gritty” story set in Los Angeles. Ludacris – who plays Tej Parker – is also looking forward to ending the series on a high note, and the rapper-turned-actor also believes the franchise could still expand past Fast 11.

The priority right now, though, seems to be getting that final installment in the main Fast & Furious series off the ground, though. All in all, insiders give the impression that there’s a mutual desire to make the movie, though there just has to be common ground on the budget. Even if the franchise does get back to its roots by filming in the streets of LA, that could be pricey given how it's become expensive to film in the city. We’ll just have to wait and see what lies ahead at the end of the road for Vin Diesel and co.’s final FF flick.

There are long-running film franchises, and then there's the Fast and the Furious movies. The racing property turned action staple (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription) has been on the big screen for decades, starting with the 2001 original. Vin Diesel famously stars as Dom Toretto, and recently posted a sweet tribute to his "ride or die" collaborator Michelle Rodriguez. As they say, family is everything.

Both Diesel and Rodriguez go back to the first Fast and Furious movie, so they've spent a long time working together on this property. That's why the Guardians of the Galaxy actor took to Instagram to write a long, heartfelt tribute to their friendship. Check it out below:

How sweet is that? This is a long and thoughtful meditation on Diesel's friendship with Rodriguez, and what it means to continue working together after more than two decades of of movies. As he writes, there's been a ton of changes to the property throughout the years, but their working relationship has been consistent. I'm not crying, you're crying.

What we know about Fast and Furious 11 is limited, but as Diesel pointed out in his caption, they're currently working on the upcoming action flick. That title, officially called Fast X: Part Two, is set to be the final chapter of the long-running franchise. So it makes sense that the 58 year-old star of the franchise is feeling sentimental about his time a Dom Toretto.

Of course, longtime fans of the franchise will recall that Rodriguez's Letty is one Fast and Furious character who died and then was brought back. Fast Five revealed that Letty was still alive, which surprised even the actress herself.

Since Diesel is looking back at his history with the Lost alum, it's also worth noting that Michelle Rodriguez nearly quit the original Fast and the Furious movie due to being unhappy with her character's story. This would have ended her relationship with Diesel before it even started, and I'm sure fans of the franchise are glad she decided to stick around. At this point it's hard to imagine the Fast family without Letty's badassery and heart.

Ahead of the 11th Fast and Furious movie hitting theaters, Vin Diesel has been posting various tributes to those who have helped ring the franchise together. It's hard to believe the franchise is coming to an end, but that's exactly what moviegoers should prepare for.

Only time will tell what Diesel and company have up their sleeves for Fast X: Part 2, but it seems like just about anything is possible. Between The Family going to space and the ending of Fast X, it seems like just about anything could happen.

All will be revealed when Fast X: Part 2 hit theaters in April of 2027. But since it's not going to be on the 2026 movie release list, fans are going to have to try and be patient.

Michael Caine and Vin Diesel are two of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time, and over the years, they’ve appeared in some of the biggest movies of all time. But did you know that on top of being two of the most recognizable faces on the silver screen, they’ve also had one of the closest friendships in show business, and for a very long time? I didn’t, but hearing about their close bond has honestly brightened my day, week, and even year.

When I first heard that the two-time Academy Award winner was coming out of retirement, I was surprised it wasn’t for another Christopher Nolan collaboration, but instead the long-in-the-works The Last Witch Hunter 2. His sequel return at 92 years old makes more sense, however, knowing that Caine and Diesel have been thick as thieves for ages. Here’s the story behind one of the more surprising friendships in Hollywood.

Michael Caine And Vin Diesel Became Instant Friends After Meeting At A Party Nearly 30 Years Ago

Okay, so how did Sir Michael Caine and Vin Diesel become friends anyway? If you guessed while filming a beloved movie about cars (they both have a history here), you’d be wrong, but what about some seemingly random dinner party nearly 30 years ago? In Caine’s 2025 memoir Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over (via EW), the Italian Job actor recalled the fateful night he and a pre-Fast & Furious Diesel became instant friends:

The Get Carter and Dark Knight actor would go on to add a bit more context to their first meeting, saying that Diesel was going through tough times when they met at the party:

If my math is correct, this unlikely friendship started at some point in the mid-90s, at a time before any of Diesel’s best movies came out, and he was still an up-and-coming actor looking for his big break. Little did he know, but he found a close friend as well.

The Friendship, Which Started After Vin Diesel Lost A Childhood Friend, Has Been 'Healing And Loving'

Around the time The Last Witch Hunter became a surprise hit for Netflix subscription holders in June 2025, 10 years after it hit theaters, Vin Diesel took to Instagram to thank everyone for watching the movie after all this time. In the same post, the Fast & Furious star also took time to talk about his dear old friend Michael Caine, providing further context for their years-long bond:

Just like his Dom Toretto character from the Fast & Furious franchise, friendship and family obviously means a lot to Diesel, especially when those people come through during tough times. This is definitely the case with Caine.

The Two Close Friends Even Get Dinner Together Whenever They're In Each Other's Cities

Though Michael Caine and Vin Diesel have only made one movie together (with more projects on the way), these two have continued to get together whenever their busy schedules allow. When promoting the 2015 release of The Last Witch Hunter, Diesel opened up about their unlikely friendship during an interview with the Miami Herald, where he talked about how they keep things going.

Basically, whenever Diesel is in London, he and his partner Paloma Jimenez will go have dinner with his dear old friend and his wife, Shakira Caine, and Caine has dinner with him whenever they’re in the same place at the same time in the United States. The thought of these two actors from different eras and walks of life getting together for dinner or to catch up is just too wholesome.

The Pair Was Spotted Together In July 2025, Leading To One Of The Most Wholesome Pictures Of The Year

Vin Diesel talking about getting dinner with Michael Caine when he’s in London wasn’t just some story he told a reporter when promoting a movie back in 2015, as the two were spotted together in London 10 years later. In July 2025, People shared a photograph of Diesel pushing the 92-year-old Caine in a wheelchair while they were out on the town, and I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the most wholesome pictures of the year.

Little did we know at the time, but these two were planning a great comeback for the Hannah and her Sisters actor who retired from acting back in 2021. Though it’s unlikely this was more than just a casual dinner shared by two close friends and their families, you have to wonder if the conversation of The Last Witch Hunter 2 came up.

The Last Witch Hunter Sequel Isn't The Duo's Only Upcoming Collaboration

Though The Last Witch Hunter 2 is the more high-profile project Vin Diesel and Michael Caine are working on right now, it’s not the only thing they’re working on together. In the June 2025 Instagram post where Diesel opened up about his friendship with Caine, he revealed that they are working on an “independent project” called Mark and Maurice.

Though he didn’t share any details about whether or not it’s a movie, a show, a stage production, or something entirely different, Diesel did say he can’t wait for everyone to see what they’ve been up to. If this means Diesel is about to go back to his dramatic roots, I’m going to be on board.

With Michael Caine coming out of retirement and his friendship with Vin Diesel looking stronger than ever, I really can’t wait to see where this story goes from here.

Paul Walker, beloved for playing Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious movies and three decades of work as an actor, sadly died in a car accident at the age of 40 back in 2013. But the mark he left on the world and those close to him will never be forgotten. So it’s no surprise that on his birthday he’s getting tributes in his honor left and right, particularly from his Fast family.

Walker’s birthday was on September 12, 1973, which means he would have been 52 today if he had lived. Check out what his daughter, Meadow Walker, said on his day:

Meadow Walker is 26 years old, and she posted the sweetest throwback photo of her and her father to celebrate. It’s a sweet picture of the pair that left Vin Diesel reacting with a “🙏🏽” emoji. Meadow is known for continuing her father's legacy by founding The Paul Walker Foundation in 2015, which offers grants to marine biology students since the Fast & Furious star was very passionate about conservation.

Diesel also shared a post of his own on Instagram that features a black and white photo of the pair of actors. He called Walker by his Fast & Furious name when wishing him a Happy Birthday before saying the following:

Vin Diesel went on to say how fans are “patiently waiting” for “family…to come home.” The tribute seems to be a tease for the next Fast & Furious movie’s reported inclusion of Brian O’Conner after Diesel teased Dom and Brian would be reuniting. Diesel also paid tribute to his “brother” by saying his legacy “lives in the space where love meets forever” and said his calling was helping create the franchise. He continued:

Additionally, Jordana Brewster, who plays Brian’s wife Mia (and Dom’s sister) also posted for Paul Walker’s birthday. Check her post out:

While the 10th anniversary of Paul Walker’s death passed in 2023, Brewster shared how fans can honor his memory by giving to The Paul Walker Foundation as it passes a decade by buying a T-shirt on the foundation’s website. The T-shirts were created by his daughter to honor “carrying Paul’s legacy.”

Brewster and Diesel are expected to return to Fast X: Part 2 to cap off the franchise in the near future, but for now, you can watch all the movies with a Prime Video subscription and look forward to the Fast & Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood next year. Paul Walker’s legacy lives on through his body of work and all the lives he touched.

There’s plenty of excitement to look forward to in upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming Marvel TV shows, including the Avengers, New Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four teaming up for Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026. However, when it comes to the Guardians of the Galaxy, it appears our time with this group of cosmic heroes is over, at least for now, following the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023. Nevertheless, Vin Diesel is pitching more appearances for his character Groot, and I honestly wouldn’t mind if the story he has in mind came to fruition.

When we left off with the walking and talking tree at the end of Guardians 3, he finally got to say something other than “I am Groot” and was serving on the new incarnation of this team alongside Rocket, Kraglin, Adam Warlock, Cosmo, Phyla and Adam’s pet Blurp. So if there comes a day when Marvel Studios is willing to bring back Groot, where does he go from here? Here’s what Diesel had to say on Instagram about this subject:

This caption was attached to two pictures: the first shows Vin Diesel hugging his daughter while wearing a black shirt that has “I am Groot” written in white letters on the back, and the second depicts fan art of a badass, glowy Groot face to face with a bearded Hulk. What exactly is going on here? Well, Diesel talking about “development” and the fact that there’s no existing story called The Arbor King makes it sounds like this is the name of a script that Diesel has been working for Groot, and he felt comfortable enough to share with his family.

The Planet X detail in particular further proves that, as Vin Diesel said back in March that “Disney wants their Planet X,” which he jokingly described as Marvel’s most anticipated movie. I would certainly be down to see this story unfold, especially if it would allow for Diesel to continue saying more dialogue for the character besides “I am Groot.” Not only would we finally get to meet other members of the Flora colossus species, but we’d also see the full extent of King Groot’s power.

What’s unclear, however, is if this is something that Marvel Studios officially has in development or if the company is waiting to read this script before making a decision. I’m also curious if Hulk is actually in The Arbor King or if Diesel just picked that artwork because it looks cool. Fingers crossed we get clarification on where things stand with this project soon, because if Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 is off the table. I would definitely welcome reuniting with Groot in this kind of cinematic setting.

The Fast and Furious movies may not be the pinnacle of artistic filmmaking, but fans can’t seem to get enough of the fast-paced action scenes and cinematic explosions. It seems like the Fast cast have a good time making the movies as well, considering how many of them have frequently returned to these movies. Not only are they fun, but they have become quite lucrative, resulting in a likely big pay day for the action stars, especially Vin Diesel. Considering the franchise's success, Timothy Olyphant was recently asked if he regrets turning down leading the movie series, as he was once asked to play Dom Toretto.

Back in the early 2000s, Olyphant was a rising star. He had a lot of success with movies like Scream 2 and Go, and it made sense that film producers approached him to lead their then-upcoming action film, The Fast and the Furious. Olyphant ended up turning down the film, and the role eventually went to Vin Diesel, who has been leading the hit action franchise for almost 25 years. When asked by The Hollywood Reporter if he regretted the decision, Olyphant said:

Considering the Fast franchise's financial success, asking the Justified star if he regrets turning a role down is a valid question. Stars have admitted to regretting turning down roles before, like Matt Damon, who turned down a potential $250 million payday when he walked away from Avatar. Will Smith also turned down The Matrix, a decision he later admitted to be a real miss by him. In Hollywood, one career choice can shape the rest of your life, which is why the big misses sometimes stick out the most.

Even if Olyphant didn’t get the Fast and Furious payday that likely could have been life changing, not participating in the franchise allowed him to do a myriad of other projects that were fantastic and wouldn’t have been the same without him. His run on Justified was incredible, and his acting talent made the show what it was. Interesting shows like Santa Clarita Diet and Deadwood were also fantastic creative work that truly allowed Olyphant to showcase his range. Franchises are lucrative for actors, but they can also be time commitments, and I’m happy the TV star was able to have such a varied career as a result of not getting locked into a franchise.

If Olyphant did have any regrets, it seems like he has moved past them. Ultimately, the Fast and Furious role ended up going to someone who was actually passionate about the project, and Diesel has been playing Dom Toretto in his own signature way for years. Olyphant is such a different kind of leading man than Diesel, and his portrayal of Dom likely would have shaped the entire franchise differently. While I still want to see what an Olyphant-led Fast and Furious movie would look like, I think it ultimately went to the right guy for the job.

While you won’t be seeing Timothy Olyphant in a Fast and Furious movie, you can see him in his latest project, Alien: Earth, which is now streaming with a Hulu subscription. Fans of Fast and Furious can see Vin Diesel taking the lead in the most recent film, Fast X, which is currently available on Starz.

Everyone in the world knows Jason Statham as an action star leading films like Crank, The Meg and The Beekeeper in addition to his part within the Fast And Furious franchise... but did you know that he has a serious background as a diver? Years before his breakout in Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and even before his modeling career (yes, he had a modeling career), Statham spent a dozen years on Britain's National Swimming Squad and competed in multiple events in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Knowing this, it's weirdly not at all surprising to see photos of the actor performing some extreme dives off of a yacht in a new Instagram post filled with vacation pictures – but one nonetheless has to appreciate the love shared in the comments section by some of his Fast & Furious castmates. Check out the gallery of photos below:

If you didn't know about Jason Statham's history as a legit diver, you probably could have figured out that he has some kind of background in the sport from that first photo. The guy might be decades removed from his heyday in the pool, but that shot demonstrates the form of an Olympian (and kudos to the uncredited photographer!).

As for the reactions... I think you can also probably guess what Vin Diesel had to say about this collection of vacation photos. The actor doesn't comment on Jason Statham's diving prowess or skills while operating a jet ski. Instead, he focuses on who his co-star is hanging out with and cites what he has long said (and oft-repeated) is the core theme of the Fast & Furious franchise:

Perfectly on brand.

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, on the other hand, left a comment suggesting that he is well aware of Jason Statham's background as an athlete and complemented his maintained skills with three words of adulation and a pair of knowing emojis:

It's fun to see Jason Statham, Vin Diesel and Ludacris interacting on social media... but when will we get to see Deckard Shaw, Dominic Torretto, or Tej Parker back together again? That question doesn't have a firm answer quite yet, but at the very least we do now have a release window for Fast X: Part 2 / Fast And Furious 11. At the end of last month, Diesel attended an event in Southern California and told the audience gathered there that Universal Pictures is targeting an April 2027 release date – meaning that production will likely begin at the end of next year or the start of 2026.

Director Louis Leterrier is back in the director's chair after helming Fast X, and Diesel has made three promises about the sequel: the action will return to Los Angeles, the story will return to be about car culture, and Dom will have an on-screen reunion with Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker's character, who has not appeared in a Fast & Furious movie since Walker's death during the production of Furious 7). The film will also need to provide a conclusion to the many cliffhangers in the previous chapter, including the return of Dwayne Johnson's Luke Hobbes; the resurrection of Gal Gadot's Gisele Yashar; the fate of the flight that had Tej, Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Han (Sung Kang), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) on board; and the peril faced by Dom and his son below a breaking dam.

Stay tuned for more updates about the project here on CinemaBlend, and check out our Upcoming Action Movie guide to learn about all of the ass-kicking projects on the horizon.

Friendships can form in what we may seem to think are the most unlikely of places. Though neither actor has a 2025 movie on the books, Michael Caine and Vin Diesel have been making headlines thanks to Caine’s recent anecdote about such a pairing. Now it’s the Fast Saga star’s turn to return the favor, as he shared a glowing message on social media celebrating his pal, and the film they made together.

Vin Diesel Is Grateful For Michael Caine, And The Last Witch Hunter’s Apparent Renaissance

Apparently Netflix subscription holders must be flocking to 2015's The Last Witch Hunter, as fantasy action thriller seems to be picking up an audience. That's what it sounds like in Vin Diesel's message to his dear friend and co-star, which started off with these select comments:

It kind of does feel like magic to learn that these lads are good friends, as you’ll see in the post embedded below. Before you enjoy this photo though, I’d like to ask you to hold your oohs and ahhs for the last revelation shared in the following message:

Looks like Michael Caine’s retirement may be ending in a very unique way, thanks to that independent project mentioned in the final leg of Vin Diesel’s tribute. Titled Mark and Maurice, there’s no other details on what that could be about; though it doesn’t sound like Sir Michael will be joining Fast X: Part 2’s cast any time soon.

At the same time, I’d like to think that this new picture will be about their personal friendship; especially since the men are lending their true names to the title. That hope only intensified after reading Diesel’s new contribution to the story of how the two met.

Michael Caine’s Friendship With Vin Diesel Couldn’t Have Started At A Better Time

Not many people know this, but one dinner party saw Michael Caine becoming a bit of a fixture in Vin Diesel’s life. Previously we saw that story told before through Caine’s latest memoir, Don’t Look Back: You’ll Trip Over: My Guide to Life. Now we can see why this camaraderie was so important to the Riddick franchise driver, as Diesel provided these additional details:

Any sort of loss in life is painful, and having the right people to walk you through it is key. Much as any of us could cite a handful of friends that helped us in the darkest of hours, Vin Diesel is sharing the love by filling in the story of how he and Michael Caine became as close as they are now.

While we’ll have to wait and see what happens with Mark and Maurice, you can currently stream The Last Witch Hunter through Netflix and other platforms. Who knows, maybe Vin Diesel's promised sequel could take shape after all?

If it feels like it has been a minute since audiences last got to go on an adventure with the crew from the Fast & Furious movies, that's because it has. It has now been over two years since we last saw Dominic Toretto and his family go up against the insanity of Jason Momoa's Dante in Fast X, and fans have been waiting with bated breath for the conclusion to that movie's wild cliffhanger ending (not to mention the mid-credits tease featuring Dwayne Johnson).

The bad news now is that we're technically only about halfway through the waiting period – but the good news is that Vin Diesel has not lost any affection for the work and has provided a big update about the sequel.

Vin Diesel Shares Appreciation For His Fast & Furious Family With A Message Of Love

It's pretty wild that next year will mark the quarter-century anniversary of the Fast & Furious movies. Not only is it a rare thing for Hollywood franchises to continue that long consistently, but that's a hell of a lot of time to build relationships. It's far from a secret that Vin Diesel has a lot of love for his co-stars and collaborators in the making of the movies over that long stretch of time – and in case anyone forgot, he re-upped his love for those folks his weekend with a sweet Instagram post.

The actor publish a trio of photos – two stylized in black and white – on his personal social channel, and what they all share in common is him embracing his fellow actors on set (it's not clear from any of them when they were actually shot). Diesel seemingly didn't have any specific reason to post beyond a desire to express appreciation for his friends, and the post came with the following sweet caption:

Vin Diesel demonstrates a lot of love for his friends and colleagues – and it feels like something we can all take pointers from. In the chaos and randomness of life, it's always important to make sure that they people you care about know how much you care about them. None of us are here forever, and none of us know when our time will be up.

Diesel is all too aware of this reality, having experienced the shocking passing of his friend Paul Walker in the making of Furious 7 – and we learned this weekend that his love for his departed friend is having a direct impact on the development of Fast X: Part 2.

Vin Diesel Says That Paul Walker's Brian O'Conner Will Be Back In Fast X: Part 2

According to Entertainment Weekly, Vin Diesel made a surprise appearance at the Pomona, California event known as FuelFest this past weekend, and while addressing the crowd there, he directly commented on the development of the next installment of the Fast & Furious franchise.

The actor said that Universal Pictures is hoping to have Fast X: Part 2 in production next year in advance of a release in the spring of 2027, and in response to that request, he told executives that he has three conditions that need to be met with the production: they concern the setting, the story, and a challenging reunion:

Bringing the story of Fast X: Part 2 back to LA and having it be more car culture-centric don't sound like big challenges, but how will Dom and Brian get back together on screen? That's a significant mystery that doesn't have an answer.

In the canon of the Fast & Furious movies, Brian is still alive and has stepped away from the globe-trotting/terrorist-stopping actions of his good friends. Audiences last saw him in the final scene of Furious 7, which had Dom and Brian racing before parting ways. The moment was created with help from visual effects and the support of Paul Walker's brothers – who have said previously that they would like the opportunity to bring Brian back to the franchise again.

There is obviously a lot we presently don't know about Fast X: Part 2, including the fates of many of the main characters and how Dom and his son will be able to survive the vicious trap laid by Dante at the end of Fast X. We'll all get answers soon enough, though, and as more news about the project is revealed, you can be sure that you'll find more analysis here on CinemaBlend.

From directors like Ron Howard and Olivia Wilde playing unhinged versions of themselves, to Charlize Theron’s “baller” cameo in the debut episode, The Studio featured a lot of major Hollywood talents in its first run. Well, there’s much more where they came from, because following the Apple TV+ subscription-exclusive show’s run on the 2025 TV schedule, The Studio will return for Season 2. Earlier this month, co-creator, director, writer and lead actor Seth Rogen expressed interest in having Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel appear in the next season. I’m now hopeful that this could actually be pulled off when the series returns.

Seth Rogen And Vin Diesel Have Finally Met

Rogen had previously said that he’s never met the man who’s been playing Dominic Toretto for well over 20 years, but fate intervened to rectify this. The two men crossed paths at an event involving Steven Spielberg’s mysterious 2026 movie, and the Superbad alum snapped a picture of them together to share on his Instagram account:

This post doesn’t mention The Studio, but I’d like to think the seed has been planted for what will eventually blossom into Vin Diesel cameoing as himself. That’s assuming, of course, that Seth Rogen was able to bring up the comedy series while speaking with Diesel, but I find it hard to believe he wouldn’t at least mention it once. You gotta shoot your shot, after all. And while he’s currently busy putting Fast 11 together, I imagine Diesel has at least heard of The Studio. If he has watched the show and finds it funny, then that only improves the chances of him appearing in it.

What Seth Rogen Previously Said About Vin Diesel

Seth Rogen first shared his desire for Vin Diesel to appear in The Studio while speaking to Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s title host. When Kimmel asked if there were any people he had in mind for the Apple TV+ show’s next season Rogen answered:

When Jimmy Kimmel mentioned that Vin Diesel is The Pacifier, Seth Rogen retorted that that movie came out “25 years ago” (it was actually 20 years). For the sake of accuracy, I’ll remind everyone reading that the last 10 years has seen Diesel star in movies like The Last Witch Hunter, XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Bloodshot. But Rogen’s overall point stands, Diesel is still best known for anchoring the Fast & Furious franchise.

After going on a tangent with Kimmel about how the action star’s real name is not actually Vin Diesel’s real name (it’s Mark Sinclair), Seth Rogen delivered an amusing plea directly to the camera:

Nothing is guaranteed just yet, but I’ll cross my fingers that Vin Diesel is one of the names that’s announced for The Studio Season 2. It would pair nicely with learning when Fast 11, the final film in the franchise, will be released. Meanwhile, Platonic, Seth Rogen’s other Apple TV+ show, returns for its second season on August 6.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park that is often overshadowed by its bigger brother in Orlando. However, USH is getting ready to make a huge statement with a brand new roller coaster based on a franchise that has needed its own roller coaster for decades. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is set to open next year, and today we got a fresh look at the ride, and honestly, I'm more excited for this than the next Fast movie.

This morning, Universal Studios Hollywood released a new video that includes computer renderings of what the experience of Hollywood Drift will be like. For fans of the franchise, it looks like exactly what anybody excited for the next Fast & Furious movie would want, and for me, I’d rather get on this ride and feel like I’m living life a quarter mile at a time than watch other people do that on a screen. Check it out:

I'm as interested to see how the cliffhanger ending of Fast X resolves as anybody. Having said that, the next movie appears to be in limbo and nobody knows when it will actually film, never mind be released. If this is what I'll get in the interim, I'll take it.

In many ways, Hollywood Drift reminds me of another of my favorite recent roller coasters, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Disney World’s Epcot. The way the vehicles independently rotate adds an additional thrill. On the Guardians ride, the rotation is designed to focus the rider’s attention on a story being told. Here, it simulates the feeling of drifting.

The video includes a rendering of what has been my favorite part of the ride since it was initially rumored, the inversion that will take riders over the escalators between the upper and lower lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. It means that guests traveling through the park will get a unique view of the ride, and those on the ride will see the park in a fresh way as well.

Hollywood Drift will be the first outdoor roller coaster ever at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a park that has an understandable difficulty with outdoor attractions, due to the fact that it is adjacent to a functioning film studio. The new coaster will reportedly take advantage of advancements in sound dampening that will reduce the noise of the ride, allowing film productions and roller coaster fans to exist side-by-side.

In addition to the video, Universal Studios Hollywood unveiled one of the ride vehicles, a roller coaster version of Dominic Toretto’s Dodge Charger. It looks like this car has room for the whole family.

Considering the only Fast & Furious attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood was the underwhelming Fast & Furious: Supercharged, a piece of the Universal Studios Tour, it's fantastic to see a franchise called Fast & Furious finally get an attraction worthy of that name.

No opening date for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has been given beyond 2026. Odds are the attraction will open in late spring or early summer, just in time for the busiest season. This means we’re just about a year away from the ride. Considering we have no idea when the next Fast & Furious movie will get here, this ride may be the thing for fans to be excited about.

The Fast and Furious movies have had an incredible run of having huge stars drive fast cars alongside Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto, but one of the most legendary has to be when Helen Mirren joined the franchise in 2017 to play Magdalene Shaw. And as Diesel and Mirren have made clear over the years, the two actors have really hit it off since meeting and working together. Diesel even penned a tribute to the Oscar winner to remind us of their friendship.

The love fest between the pair of Fast & Furious stars happened thanks to Mirren’s tenacity to get into the Fast franchise. She previously said she “begged” the actor and producer to let her be in the movies so she could get the chance to drive fast cars in a big-budget popcorn movie. Expressing his appreciation for his co-star, Diesel wrote on Instagram,

On Wednesday, Diesel took to social media to share a set of photos with himself and Mirren during their time on the Fast & Furious movie and wrote some sweet words about their relationship. He continued:

How sweet is this message? Vin Diesel spoke to having Helen Mirren join the series particularly as the mom of the Shaw boys, played by Jason Statham and Luke Evans. Over the years, Dom and Queenie have shared a number of great scenes, and Diesel and Mirren have shared a number of wonderful press tour moments – even dancing in the rain together.

Diesel points out that Dom and Queenie have a synchronicity on screen, which Mirren has echoed before (via YouTube) when she said they “understand each other” and said that the characters are “made from the same material.” He also said this in the social media post:

Diesel’s words do have us thinking where the latest of Fast & Furious movies currently is in the production process, and if Mirren will be involved. While we know Fast X, Part 2 won’t be among upcoming 2025 movies, it’s reportedly going to start filming this summer. Early this year, Diesel said they would bring the production to Los Angeles this time around in support of the industry following the wildfires in January affecting the livelihoods of many in Southern California.

We don’t know much about Fast X, Part 2, but it’s supposed to wrap up the long-running movie series that first started in 2001. And it just wouldn’t be the same if Dom and Queenie don’t have more scenes together. Fingers crossed! While we wait, we can look forward to seeing Mirren in The Thursday Murder Club, arriving for those of you with a Netflix subscription on August 28.

After the first season of Conan O’Brien Must Go had me rooting for more of the former late night host’s new travel show, I was pleasantly surprised to see Season 2 on the 2025 TV schedule. While the past season allowed audiences such as myself to binge watch it all in one viewing, this time around, the show is opting for weekly drops. While I only have one episode to talk about so far, wow, did it start with a bang – especially regarding all the shots O’Brien decided to fire at Vin Diesel for some reason.

During the premiere episode, Conan O’Brien goes to Spain to meet up with some fans who called into his podcast and Javier Bardem. He also decides to visit a dubbing studio to try his hand at the profession with some of Spain’s big voiceover artists. At first he provides some hilarious noises to a commercial, but then he moves on to dubbing scenes from American movie scenes.

He starts with doing Liam Neeson’s famous scene from Taken before deciding to do his take on Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto from the Fast & Furious movies. While talking about embodying the famed action character, I can’t believe the comedian said the following about the actor. And yes, this is a real quote:

I mean, it’s all in good fun, of course, but I do wonder how Vin Diesel would react if he saw these comments. Either Conan O’Brien cleared it with Diesel or he simply doesn’t care about insulting the actor. I thought it was Diesel and Dwayne Johnson who had the beef (until they recently had an awkward, but friendly reunion at the Golden Globes). O'Brien also said this during the episode:

Following Conan O’Brien’s Oscars hosting gig where he went viral for mocking Drake, I guess I shouldn’t be as shocked as I am, but my goodness! He certainly did not hold back when discussing the movie star and the Fast & Furious franchise, which has pumped out ten movies and the spinoff Hobbs & Shaw across over a decade, and is set to continue in 2026 with Fast X, Part 2. Of course, O’Brien wouldn’t be the first or last person to poke fun at the actor and his famed franchise, and it gives the actor a chance to be humbled by his global fame.

I do wonder if there will be any commentary in response from the Fast & Furious star after these comments. Anyway, this Conan O'Brien Must Go episode is hilarious overall, and you can check it out now on Max.

Like millions of people around the world, I spent five hours watching Marvel slowly roll out all those Avengers: Doomsday names in March 2025, and like a lot of people, I was bummed a few of the biggest MCU stars, including Ryan Reynolds, didn’t have a chair. While it may be true that we will see more additions as we work toward the release of the upcoming Marvel movie, I was shocked by some of the names left out of the excruciatingly long cast announcement.

That said, here’s a list of some of those beloved MCU actors I really hope we see when the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday opens on the big screen in May 2026. It’s a long list (no, not as long as that video), so let’s get started…

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds, who has played Deadpool since the Fox days, has made a habit of teasing his return to the MCU ever since the release of Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024. I totally thought we’d see his name on one of those chairs in that seemingly endless lineup, which is why I’m so bummed the wise-cracking, R-rated, and lethal hero wasn’t included.

In an ideal world, Reynolds’ return would also include the likes of Dafne Keen, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Garner, and Leslie Uggams (you can’t have Deadpool without Blind Al).

Tom Holland

With the Spider-Man 4 release date so close to the Avengers: Doomsday rollout, it would be shocking if Tom Holland doesn’t show up in the massive crossover film a few months before his new Web-Slinger adventure. The highly in-demand actor seemed like a shoo-in to be included in the gargantuan list filled with all his MCU buddies. There are rumors that Holland won’t be in the next Avengers film, but I’m not totally convinced at this point.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has been a part of the MCU since he showed up in Tony Stark’s house and revealed himself as Nick Fury way back in Iron Man. Since then, he’s popped up in all of the Avengers movies, so I was a little saddened and surprised by his omission from the absurdly long cast list for Doomsday. I mean, Fury is still alive on the Marvel Cinematic timeline after the events of The Marvels.

Chris Evans

Even though his version of Captain America retired during the Avengers: Endgame ending, Chris Evans has reappeared in the MCU (Johnny Flame in Deadpool & Wolverine), so I wouldn’t be shocked if some character played by the franchise mainstay shows up by the time it’s all said and done. Evans has been cagey about a possible return in the past, but not seeing his name on the back of a chair is a little disheartening, if I’m being honest.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has been one of my favorite MCU actors ever since he took on the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers. He’s been there for all the major moments in the franchise since then, but now I’m starting to think his iconic character won’t be saving the planet, galaxy, universe, or multiverse with his old buddies next summer. This can’t happen. I mean, who’s going to give Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man an extra taco?

Benedict Cumberbatch

Is Benedict Cumberbatch bringing back Doctor Strange (third eye and all) for Avengers: Doomsday? I don’t know because the longtime Marvel staple wasn’t included in the longest line of chairs I’ve ever seen. The actor’s comments about his return to the MCU have been all over the place, with his most recent comments to Business Insider in January 2025 making it sound like he could possibly return.

Don Cheadle

Though the Armor Wars project seems to be up in the air, I thought Don Cheadle would for sure be a part of the upcoming Avengers movie. James Rhodes has been a part of the franchise since the very beginning, and Cheadle’s version of the character has had a part in three of the four crossover films to date.

Brie Larson

Another big name missing from the “Infinity Scroll of Chairs” was Brie Larson, whose Captain Marvel has long been one of the strongest heroes in the entire MCU. We last saw her in The Marvels back in 2023, so she’s due for a return at this point. The same can be said about co-stars Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani, who play Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, respectively. I’d be shocked if they didn’t appear.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye has had one of the craziest journeys in the MCU over the years. The underrated Avenger has been through it all, and I’ll be bummed if he’s not part of Doomsday next year. He famously wasn’t part of the Avengers: Infinity War cast, so maybe, just maybe, we’ll see him in Avengers: Secret Wars in a few years.

Charlie Cox

With Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdoch very much a part of the MCU again with the recent arrival of Daredevil: Born Again, I will be shocked if the actor doesn’t appear in Avengers: Doomsday. His name is on the rise (both the actor and character), so his absence could be felt a great deal.

Also, I would love to see Cox’s Defenders co-stars like Mike Colter, Finn Jones, and Krysten Ritter have some kind of role in what appears to be the biggest Marvel movie in years.

Halle Berry

Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and several other major players from the original X-Men movies were all announced for Avengers: Doomsday, but there was one actress whose absence really bummed me out: Halle Berry. Whenever the music would change and the camera would pan to the right, I kept hoping to see the Storm actress listed on a chair, but it never came.

The same can be said about Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, and Hugh Jackman, three other major names from the franchise who are oddly missing from the cast list.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Though Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff seem to be finished with the MCU after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the rest of the actors should still be in play moving forward. With Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, and Vin Diesel being major parts of the last two Avengers movies, it will be odd not to see them in the upcoming Doomsday. I really hope that changes, as I’d love to see that ragtag group of space scoundrels save the day again.

The Eternals

After Captain America: Brave New World referenced Eternals earlier in the year, it felt like maybe this oft-forgotten MCU movie would be getting some attention again. However, none of the actors from the 2021 epic were included in the Avengers: Doomsday rollout. I guess we’ll have to wait longer to figure out what’s going on with the group played by Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, and Barry Keoghan.

Other Marvel Stars I Want To See In Avengers: Doomsday

On top of all these names and various groups, I would love to see even more actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe show up in Avengers: Doomsday. From longtime staples like Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Hayley Atwell, and Scarlett Johansson (nobody stays dead forever, right?) to other fan favorites played by the likes of Benedict Wong, Dafne Keen, Lupita Nyong’o, Awkwafina, and Danai Guirara to actors introduced in post-credit scenes like Brett Goldstein and Charlize Theron, there are just so many familiar faces that could show up.

Will any or all of these actors show up in Avengers: Doomsday or its sequel? I really hope so.

The Fast "finale" – AKA Fast & Furious 11 – is not fast approaching, but it’s well on its way. That means it’s time to start getting sentimental and reflective, and Vin Diesel is doing just that. In a recent post, the actor reflected on the franchise and wrote about directing a precursor to the fourth film. That led to him reminiscing about these movies being filmed all over the world, and ultimately, he revealed one regret he has all these years later.

After reflecting on his 2009 F&F short film Los Bandoleros in an Instagram post that featured a photo of Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, the actor explained that he’s been asked to film another one for Fast 11. He noted that he wants to shoot it “somewhere exotic.” Then he explained they had great success filming what is considered one of the best Fast movies, Furious 7, in the Middle East. That led to him revealing his “one regret” about the franchise, writing:

The Fast & Furious movies have traveled all around the world. I remember that while watching Furious 7, I was particularly blown away by the moment when a car jumped between skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi. That Middle East-set moment was extra epic, and it was placed in one of the best movies. Plus, as Diesel noted, the film went on to be one of the biggest global successes of the franchise.

Admittedly, it would be cool to see the franchise return to this region of the world to film in the deep desert. I’d love to see them go all Dune on us, and race cars through the high desert. However, it sounds like that won’t be happening.

In the Dom Toretto actor’s post, he wrote that the studio has asked him to direct another precursor like Los Bandoleros. It sounds like he wants to keep expanding the global setting of these films, and this time, he’s thinking about going somewhere “truly exotic:”

Well, while I’d love to see the F&F franchise in the desert, other exotic locations would be fun, too. However, what I’m personally most excited about is the saga’s return to its roots in Los Angeles. This choice was made in part to support LA after the fires and also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise that got its start in the California city. So, while I adore the global reach of the series, it feels right to end it in the city that started it all.

So, yes, I’m also a bit bummed Fast and Furious never went into the deep desert. However, I’m very happy with what we have, and I’m thrilled about what’s coming next. Ultimately, all that really matters is we have the family together, and that, my friends, we know we’re getting.

Some Hollywood friendships are so unexpected that their mere existence feels like proof of good in the world. Learning that the great Sir Michael Caine is friends with none other than Fast Saga star Vin Diesel is one of those very scenarios, which deserves to be celebrated on the 2025 movie schedule. But that’s not the full extent to the relationship between these men, who met way before they co-starred in 2015’s The Last Witch Hunter. In fact, you could say that they’re…family.

Sir Michael Caine And Vin Diesel’s Friendship Goes Back A Long Way

Caine himself would agree with that gag, and a passage from his latest autobiography (via EW) basically says as much. Sharing this anecdote from Don’t Look Back: You’ll Trip Over: My Guide to Life, you can practically hear the love pouring from his iconic voice as you read these words shared from this freshly released volume:

You’d think the fourth memoir from this Hollywood legend would be a bit much. And yet just by revealing this story alone, Sir Michael Caine has proven that he hasn’t run out of things to share with his fans. And yes, that’s even in the wake of Caine’s recollection of meeting Tom Cruise earlier in his career.

Some of you out there might still be wondering just what this frequent Christopher Nolan collaborator may have seen in the xXx franchise star that made him his metaphorical son. That too is addressed, courtesy of the follow-up excerpt from Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over:

I must admit, after reading this piece of Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over, I’m quite happy that Michael Caine’s previously announced retirement seems to be off the table again. At least, that’s what publisher Mobius’ promo listing for this book says, straight from the man himself. Should that be true, I think I have an amazing idea on how these good friends can make movie history together.

It’s Not Too Late To Put Michael Caine In Fast And Furious 11

How has Michael Caine, friend to Vin Diesel and star of The Italian Job and Harry Brown, not been asked to appear in the Fast & Furious movies? The perfect opportunity does exist as we haven’t seen the patriarch of the Shaw family, which means Sir Michael Caine could be paired with the equally iconic Helen Mirren!

As the on-screen parents of Jason Statham, Vanessa Kirby, and Luke Evans’ action-inclined heroes, we could see Mr. and Mrs. Shaw bicker as quickly as they can pull a trigger in what may be the final Fast Saga entry. Even if the series’ continuity has already shown us who Deckard, Hattie, and Owen’s father is, it kind of doesn’t matter.

If anyone can be resurrected at a moment's notice in these pictures, then the lore can be bent. Or rather, have its bloody doors blown off. Should Sir Michael wanted to forego such a role, I can totally understand. I mean, Michael Caine did turn down Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. But now that we know Vin Diesel is practically a son in his found family, it would be crazy not to at least address the possibility.

Perhaps if more people read Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over, which is currently available at all fine booksellers, that sort of sentiment will catch on. If anything, it’ll help pass the time waiting for Fast and Furious 11’s release date - which is slated for some point in 2026.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the cutest of them all? That’s a question Snow White’s Gal Gadot spent some time answering with CinemaBlend as she determined which Disney creature was the most adorable. However, while her admiring Baby Groot’s cuteness was very sweet, it was actually her comment about Vin Diesel and Fast & Furious that was the cutest of them all.

To kick off this game played in honor of the 2025 movie schedule’s live-action Snow White, CinemaBlend’s Jeff McCobb asked Gadot if Baby Groot or Baby Dumbo was cuter. She chose the Guardians of the Galaxy character as the winner, which you can see below:

However, after that, she noted her personal connection to the adorable sentient tree. As mentioned, while Gadot is a DC actress and hasn’t appeared in a Marvel project, Vin Diesel played a pivotal role in her career. His film, 2009’s Fast & Furious, was her “first Hollywood movie,” as she said:

After that, when asked to choose between Groot and Bambi, the Wonder Woman actress went for her friend's GotG character, saying:

Sadly, Baby Groot didn’t win the cute game. Baby Dory was eventually chosen over the loveable tree, and in the end, Dopey from Snow White, understandably, won. However, her comment about the role Groot’s voice actor played in her career is the moment that really stuck with me.

Listen, the Fast family is forever, and Diesel and Gadot have always been very sweet to each other. Plus, after being involved in some of the best Fast & Furious movies and then leaving for a while, the Gisele actress has returned to the franchise.

Now, after Gal Gadot’s appearance in Fast X, I’m hoping she’ll play a bigger role in the cast of Fast & Furious 11. However, I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s focus on the here and now.

The actress’s comments about the Dominic Toretto actor certainly are sweet, because her role in that Fast & Furious movie helped her break into Hollywood and kickstart her career. Now, she’s played a superhero and an evil queen in massive blockbusters.

Speaking of the evil queen. The Red Notice star plays her in the new live-action Snow White, which CinemaBlend’s review gave 3.5 stars. While critics haven’t been the most enthusiastic about Snow White, audiences have been loving it way more, and it seems like Rachel Zegler and co.'s take on the iconic princess film is winning people over.

So, thank you Vin Diesel and Fast & Furious for helping Gal Gadot’s career start. And thank you to the actress for giving us this sweet and sentimental full-circle moment where she reflected on her start while speaking about the big movie she’s part of now. To see that movie, you can catch Snow White in theaters now.

The Fast & Furious franchise isn’t just brainless action movies about high-speed chases and gravity-defying stunts—it’s about family. And no one embodies that more than Vin Diesel. The Fast X star recently took the stage to honor his longtime co-star, Gal Gadot, as she received her well-earned star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While the ceremony was a celebration of the former Justice League star’s incredible career, the Groot performer’s speech took a personal turn as he reflected on their deep bond over the years. Naturally, the word “family” made an appearance.

During the event, Diesel spoke about what made the Israeli-born actress so special—not just how she crushed her first major movie role–but as someone who became a genuine part of his life. As captured by Variety in videos posted to their official X account, the XxX star opened up about how much she means to him and his loved ones. He said:

The Wonder Woman star joined the Fast franchise in the 2009 fourth entry as Gisele Yashar, quickly becoming a fan favorite. But beyond their on-screen chemistry, Diesel explained how Gadot became integral to his real-life family. He shared a touching story about how even his mother saw something special in their bond:

From there, their friendship only deepened. The Iron Giant voice actor recalled how Gadot was by his side during some of the most important moments in his life—when his children were born and, heartbreakingly, after the tragic death of Paul Walker.

Struggling to hold back tears, Diesel revealed just how much her support meant to him:

The Fast & Furious alum has built an incredible career beyond the franchise, leading blockbusters and superhero movies. With the live-action Snow White remake hitting theaters soon, where the actress is in her wicked era as the Evil Queen, it’s clear her star is only continuing to rise—both on the sidewalk and in Hollywood.

Vin Diesel and Gal Gadot are set to reunite in their Fast & Furious roles, as hinted at the end of Fast X. As always with Vin Diesel, the focus returns to one theme—mi familia. And would we want it any other way? I think not.

Gal Gadot's next movie, Snow White, is hitting the 2025 movie schedule on March 21, 2025. From what people are saying after early screenings, this could be one of Disney’s best live-action remakes. A lot of the hype is about how great the Death of the Nile star is as the evil queen!

For over a decade now, Vin Diesel has been contributing to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the voice of Groot, and that includes saying the character’s trademark line in numerous languages. It’s been almost two full years since the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ending showed us King Groot in all his glory, and there’s still no official confirmation on when or even if the walking and talking tree will appear in any upcoming Marvel movies. But evidently Vin Diesel heard otherwise, as he made an interesting claim while going over the project’s he’s recently been working on.

Diesel shared in a recent Instagram post that he has a lot of irons in the proverbial fire, including Fast 11 (a.k.a. Fast X Part 2), the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie, Riddick: Furya and “directing the film about that infamous New York detective,” which sounds like his long-awaited Kojak movie. But on the Marvel front, here’s what the Fast & Furious star had to say:

Ok… what? Oftentimes even if an MCU movie hasn’t been officially confirmed by Marvel Studios, reports or even rumors surface that they’re being development. So as someone who covers a lot of news about upcoming superhero movies, I’m well informed about what’s definitely being worked on for the MCU and what might be coming down the pipeline. And yet, I haven’t heard anything about a Groot movie being in the works.

Vin Diesel is correct that in the comics, Groot hails from Planet X, the capital of the branch worlds where the members of his species, the Flora colossi, live. Groot was banished from Planet X (the reason why depends on the story), leaving him to wander the universe alone until he met Rocket Raccoon. Groot’s homeworld was listed as Planet X in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, but this corner of the MCU, included The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (available to stream with a Disney+ subscription), never delved into the origins of either the original Groot or his progeny.

I’m not saying that seeing King Groot returning to Planet X wouldn’t be interesting to see, but I find it hard to believe that Marvel would dedicate a whole movie just to him. It seems more plausible that this would be the plot for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4, but there’s been no mention of that happening. Even if it does, James Gunn wouldn’t write or direct, as he’s now one of the head honchos over at DC Studios.

It’s also worth noting that so far, Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, is the only Guardians of the Galaxy character who is officially set to return to the MCU, per GOTG 3’s ending tag (though not everyone is down for this). That doesn’t mean he’ll be the only one though, as I can imagine some of the other Guardians will be around for Avengers: Doomsday and/or Avengers: Secret Wars. But for now, I’m gonna wait on getting my hopes up for Groot popping back in, let alone scoring his own movie, until Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige chimes in on the matter.

We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds in store for Groot in the MCU. Meanwhile, in addition to the aforementioned projects, Vin Diesel also mentioned in his post that he’s figuring out ways to reprise Kaulder from The Last Witch Hunter and Xander Cage from the xXx film series.

There may be no modern film franchise that has changed so much over the course of its story as Fast & Furious. A group of characters who started out as street racers stealing DVD players are now super secret agents. Every new film in the franchise takes things to a new, even more insane, level. But Jordana Brewster would love to see the franchise return to its roots.

Brewster, who appears in the new movie Heart Eyes alongside Final Destination star Devon Sawa, compared her feelings about the Fast & Furious franchise to his thoughts about the horror series when recently speaking with Collider. She indicated a wish that the next movie would be a bit grittier than the recent entires, and that she would get to do more in it. Brewster said…

I can certainly get behind this. The expectation is that the next movie, Fast and Furious 11 or Fast X Part II or whatever it ends up being called, will be the last. That is, at least inside the core franchise, as Fast & Furious spinoffs are reportedly still in development. If that’s the case, it makes poetic (and possibly thematic) sense to see the franchise come full circle and have the last movie feel more like the first.

And I can absolutely get behind Jordana Brewster’s Mia getting a chance to kick a bit more ass in the next movie. She’s always been a great character. Unfortunately, because Mia is married to Brian, the still-living character played by the late Paul Walker, the franchise has clearly had difficulty figuring out how to keep Mia on screen while justifying that Brian needs to remain off-screen. Brewster has been trying to get Mia to do more on screen for years.

And maybe Jordana Brewster’s wish could actually come true. Recent rumors, while far from confirmed, have suggested that Vin Diesel is having trouble rounding up the money needed to make the massive, expensive, blockbuster he’s trying to produce. If these rumors are in fact true, then the final Fast & Furious movie may need to be a smaller production due to financial constraints.

Having said that, a smaller version of Fast & Furious seems unlikely at this point. The story of traveling to exotic locations around the world is part of what fans now love about it, so setting the final movie just in L.A. might be a letdown for some. Fast & Furious 11 currently has an unspecified 2026 release date.

If the original plan for Fast X’s continuation had held, we’d be talking about how the Torretto crime family would be making a grand return on the 2025 movie schedule. Alas, what we know about Fast and Furious 11 informs us that delays and the magnetic draw of releasing this potentially final chapter led to an undetermined 2026 debut. The latter reason is a sweet factor to keep in mind, as it signifies just how much this blockbuster franchise loves to wear its heart on its production sleeve. We've now seen this popping up again thanks to Vin Diesel’s heartfelt announcement that the rest of Fast X: Part 2 will be filming in Los Angeles.

This news came from a post that the Fast Saga star/producer shared to his Instagram, complete with a fitting image of Diesel embracing on-screen sister Jordana Brewster. What makes this choice appropriate is Brewster herself had asked the man himself if this project could conclude in the city of angels, with this rationale in mind:

While there’s still a fair amount of Fast X sequel drama that makes its way into the press, those unfortunate rumors seem to be leveled out by gestures such as the one seen above. It doesn’t matter if you’re family by blood or by choice, these sorts of scraps are part of the ups and downs that make life surprising.

At least the intention to film the rest of the Fast Saga's supposed swan song can be considered an “up.” There will be plenty of filmmaking professionals in need of work in the Los Angeles area, and the money spent to bring this vision to life could go a long way toward helping people rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. That feels like exactly what Dom would have done in this scenario, which makes all this even sweeter.

Fast X can currently be streamed through a Peacock subscription, with the rest of the series cast to various sources on the streaming winds. You have plenty of time for a refresher course though, as Fast X Part 2, or whatever this blockbuster return will be named upon its arrival, doesn’t have a specific 2026 release date on the books just yet.

At the same time, one could guess that June 19, 2026 would be a hypothetical drop date. With director Louis Leterrier's reverence for The Fast and the Furious' 25th anniversary, that would get the picture in theaters in time for fans to celebrate on the exact date.

We’ll have to wait to see if this prediction is confirmed or debunked, over the year to come and at a quarter mile at a time. As always, we here at CinemaBlend continue to offer our deepest support to those dealing with the humanitarian disaster the California wildfires have brought.

What exactly is going on with Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson? The fact that the two mega stars had issues is well known, but we had been led to believe that the fight was behind them. Questions were once again raised, however, after a very awkward interaction between the two at the 2025 Golden Globes last weekend. Now Diesel has responded, indicating that everything is just fine, but even that post raises questions.

Vin Diesel recently posted to Instagram an image of himself and The Rock standing together and smiling. If the picture had been taken at the Golden Globes, or anytime recently, it might indicate that the two are friends. But the image is from 2011, when Fast Five was released and Dwayne Johnson originally joined the iconic franchise. Still, Diesel’s brief post accompanying the picture insists everything is good, saying simply…

It was during The Fate of the Furious that we learned of an ongoing beef between the two actors. Johnson implied that Diesel was making the cast and crew wait for him on set. Meanwhile, Diesel said he had to provide some “tough love” for The Rock on set. The two actors shared few scenes in the movie but were reportedly never actually on set at the same time.

The feud between the two was all the more reason that fans were shocked to see Johnson appear in the post-credits scene of Fast X, indicating a return to the main franchise. Exactly what’s going on with that is still unclear, but there are reportedly plans for The Rock’s character to appear in another spinoff movie, before possibly returning for the conclusion of Fast X.

But then the Golden Globes happened. Vin Diesel was on hand to present the award for cinematic and box office achievement, and when he came to the microphone, he recognized Johnson in the audience, and said “Hi, Dwayne.” Both men were smiling, but the moment was noticeably awkward. Even the Golden Globes producers admit they were worried that something unplanned might go down between the two.

Both Johnson and Diesel have said their relationship is fine and that whatever problems there were are behind them. While there’s no reason not to take them at their word, we may need to wait and see what happens when the two end up back on a movie set together again. At this point what we know about Fast X - Part 2, or any of the rest of the franchise is far from clear, so when that will happen is anybody’s guess.

Part of the excitement of live TV is that anything can happen, of course, then the people producing the show have to respond to whatever does happen. It’s impossible to be prepared for every possibility, as the producers of the Golden Globes understand all too well.

Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel are two big stars in Hollywood, both in stature and in physical size. The pair have also made several very successful Fast & Furious movies together, but they also have one of the most famous feuds in recent Hollywood history. This apparently left the Golden Globes producers a little concerned on Sunday night when Diesel said hi to The Rock, as they were afraid something might be about to go down.

Vin Diesel appeared on stage at the 2025 Golden Globes to announce the winner of the award for cinematic and box office achievement. As he came to the mic, he noticed his former co-star in the room and said “Hi, Dwayne.” The moment was especially awkward, though it was nothing more than a greeting. However, Globes executive producer Glenn Weiss tells Variety that there was some fear something was about to go down. He said…

In a world where the famous Will Smith Oscars slap is still very much remembered., one can understand why producers would be concerned. It’s well-known that during the production of The Fate of the Furious Johnson and Diesel had a conflict, while the pair shared scenes, they were never actually on set at the same time.

Officially, that feud is behind them, both men have said they have talked and moved on, Johnson appeared in a post-credits for Fast X, indicating a return to the franchise. Though exactly how and when that’s all going to happen is far from clear.

Since most of this has happened behind the scenes, the public isn’t necessarily aware of exactly where Diesel and Johnson stand with each other. It’s possible this was the first time one of the actors had spoken to the other in person in years. If Vin Diesel had followed up “Hi, Dwayne” with a joke at The Rock’s expense, or Johnson had said something to Diesel in response, things could have quickly become serious.

While the awkwardness of the moment was obvious, the fact nothing really happened would seem to indicate that the pair are fine with each other, even if they're not the best of friends.

Remember the Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson Fast & Furious beef? It's been a long time since we've heard anything about whether the two action stars are friends or foes, but I definitely wasn't expecting the 2025 Golden Globes to be the place for them to interact. At least I have the internet to validate me following the awkward reunion they just had. (Check out our awards live blog if you didn't watch!)

It's wild to think it was close to a decade ago when Dwayne Johnson went off about his Fast and Furious co-stars on social media thus beginning the beef. Here's what happened at Sunday's award show:

Considering Vin Diesel hasn't been in a movie all year, it was certainly a surprise to see him take the stage during the Golden Globes to give out an award. The star came on stage later in the show to present the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement to the Wicked movie's cast, director and producers. Since Dwayne Johnson was in attendance as a presenter as well and up front, Diesel gave him a "Hi" when he walked on stage, followed by a big ol' grin.

It was a tense and kind of hilarious moment, and I'm happy internet reactions like this exist:

Following the infamous slap at the Oscars a few years ago, it does always feel like anything can happen when a bunch of celebrities get together, but this was of the "mild and kind of wholesome" variety, given the lack of on-screen fireworks. It was sort of sweet to see Vin Diesel acknowledge his longtime colleague, but like myself, some fans are wondering if there were ulterior undertones behind that "Hey."

Last we heard about The Rock and Vin Diesel by way of the Fast and Furious franchise was in November, when Diesel shared a photo of himself and The Rock from an earlier franchise entry where he said he was looking forward to "a reunion of that beautiful brotherhood" along with getting "back to real street racing" and "practical stunts" in the next installment.

Fast X: Part 2 is currently slated for the summer of 2026, and is expected to be the end of the franchise after 25 years. Considering The Rock was part of a mid-credits scene in Fast X, we expect Luke Hobbs will be back in action in the future.

It's just unclear if that will be for the next Fast movie and/or the spinoff movie he previously announced in 2023. To our knowledge the movie has not yet begun filming, but we'd expect to learn more about it this year, as we'd imagine the production would need to kick off some time in 2025.

What a Golden Globes moment! After reading about the Globes' highlights, get caught up on the Fast and Furious timeline here on CinemaBlend.

Unless we see a miracle akin to jumping a 1970 Dodge Charger off of an exploding dam and surviving to share the story, the upcoming 2025 movies won’t include Fast X Part 2. That’s, of course, not the final name for the picture, as everything we know about Fast and Furious 11 still paints this film in a very mysterious light. But at the same time, the latest sneak peek that Vin Diesel has given us is a pretty familiar location, which should have fans of the OG movie pumped.

As the still-in production eleventh movie in the Fast Saga timeline continues to plug along, one of its franchise stars is teasing some very practical setups ahead. Shown below is Vin Diesel’s social media post, complete with sweet caption:

For those who thought that Fast X’s ending would have even dreamed of killing Dom and Little Brian, I think we can all give that notion a rest. However, Fast 11 is being eyed for release around the same time we’ll be celebrating The Fast and the Furious’ 25th anniversary. Tyrese’s comments about Fast 11 “taking it back to the streets” make even more sense now, as we’ve now seen physical proof that this is the literal truth.

While I’m loving the promise of heading back to life a quarter mile at a time, that would signal a huge shift from what the Fast Saga franchise has become in recent years. Tons of espionage adjacent action has unfolded in the last few entries, with macguffins that possess that very same sort of flavoring.

This also conjures memories of the fact that Fast 11’s writing team shakeup also poses the question of just how much things will change. How do you go back to the streets after Dante Reyes has turned the fight into something that literally ended with a plane crash? I know this question is relatively simple when compared to others like, "How the hell is Gisele alive?" and "Is Jakob seriously dead?", but the point still stands.

We’re at an interesting point in the Fast and Furious franchise, where the uncertainty over Fast 11’s finale status has us wondering if this intended victory lap could go on a little longer than expected. Maybe the fact that we’re going back to the streets means we’re getting a lean and mean mid-quel in the proposed Fast X trilogy, in which Dom and the team lie low doing what they do best: racing cars. I can’t say it would be an unwelcome change of pace when gearing up for the big ending.

Fast and Furious 11 will apparently give the fans the sequel they deserve at an undetermined point in 2026. That being said, if you want to revisit the beginning of the vengeance quest waged by Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes, open up your Peacock subscription and watch Fast X in its current streaming home!

The Fast and Furious family is always growing, and on more than one occasion actors have joined it that I would have never expected. From Helen Mirren to Brie Larson to Kurt Russell to Charlize Theron, the list of beloved actors to enter this ensemble later in the franchise is truly wild and honestly, prestigious. Now, Ludacris is pitching a new addition to the family as we wait for updates about the release of Fast & Furious 11, and I sure do hope Vin Diesel is considering this.

The actor I’m talking about is Matt Damon, who I never really thought of as an option to join the F&F franchise. However, Ludacris has started to manifest the Ocean’s Eleven actor’s casting, and I have to say, I’m here for it. Taking to his Instagram to post a photo with the Oscar winner, the rapper wrote:

Matt Damon and Ludacris were both at the Stella Artois Let's Do Dinner event in New York City. They posed for a nice photo together, and that’s what led to the Fast and Furious actor’s comment. Within the first few hours of it being posted, his fans immediately latched onto the dream casting, writing:

• Okay I can get into it yea 😍 -danielle_lady_d
• Just 2 legends hangin’ out ! 🎤 🎥 -imjwil
• As long as he is driving a Shelby cobra 🤣 -atalwas
• Yes! The answer is YES!!! -msdkirkpatrick
• Tie it into Jason Bourne -nicholicious909
• That could work!!! -teri_giese
• 🔥🔥💯💯 -sig.lucidev
• Dude 🙌🙌 -dulla_awards
• Bourne furious -1thatsjb

Now, let’s think about this, if you look back at Matt Damon’s movies, he’s thrived in projects that have the same elements as the Fast and Furious films. Obviously, Jason Bourne proved that he is an action star. Then, the Ocean’s movies showed his ability to work within an ensemble. So, I think he’d fit into this high-speed universe just fine!

Plus, if you take a look back at Matt Damon’s filmography, he’s seemingly down for basically anything…heck, he’s even made a cameo in a Marvel movie. The guy has done drama, comedy, sci-fi, action, animation and more, so it seems like he could be up to hop in a car and drive really fast with Ludacris.

However, for now, that’s just a dream that Ludacris and I will have to keep our fingers crossed for.

So, let’s turn our focus to what we do know. Ludacris is expected to reprise his role in the eleventh Fast and Furious movie, which will be a continuation of Fast X, considering that cliffhanger ending involving Jason Momoa. We also know that Fast & Furious 11 should come out in 2026 as they celebrate 25 years of the franchise. So, Matt Damon or not, there’s a lot to be excited about.

However, I can’t deny that I hope Vin Diesel takes Ludacris’ casting request into account. While I don’t know if Matt Damon would say yes, it certainly would be fun if he showed up, so I’ll be keeping hope alive that maybe one day this will happen.

So, while I wait for that dream to become reality, you can check in with Matt Damon by watching his newest project on the 2024 movie schedule, The Instigators, with an Apple TV+ subscription, and you can always spend some time with the family by streaming the Fast and Furious movies with a Peacock subscription.

Considering the Fast and Furious movies have been around for well over two decades, the fandom – or family, I should say – runs deep. The love for the Fast cast is real, and they interact with fans all over the world. Most recently, Vin Diesel posted a video of a fan he met in an airport who had a sweet Paul Walker tattoo, and as the Dom actor said, it’s “all love.”

Since Paul Walker died in 2013, there’s been a consistent and strong outpouring of love and appreciation for the late actor. The Fast and Furious ensemble pays tribute to Walker on his birthday, his daughter Meadow frequently posts touching images of her father, and fans consistently show their adoration for him. That was proven recently when Vin Diesel ran into a fan at an airport who had a tattoo of a sentence that’s connected to the Brian actor, check it out:

When The Guardians of the Galaxy actor spoke in the video, he noted that you never know who you’ll run into, saying:

Diesel appeared to be on a tarmac when he met the ramp agent named Marcel who had a quote associated with Walker tattooed on his arm. It said:

Now, when you search this quote, it’s widely attributed to Paul Walker, and you can buy stickers, magnets and more with the words on it. However, the quote's origin is unclear, as it has been debated on Reddit, Quora and the comments of Diesel’s post.

However, it is a sentence that is widely associated with the Brian actor, and many have posted tribute videos about him using it. The Dom actor also seemed to be touched by the ramp agent’s tattoo, as his caption said:

While Paul Walker passed away over ten years ago, his legacy lives on strong in the Fast family. For example, we know that Fast X: Part 2 (or Fast and Furious 11), will take place in LA and come out 25 years after the first film – The Fast and the Furious. That alone hints at the notion that this upcoming F&F movie will pay homage to the franchise’s history, and it got even better when Diesel teased the return of Brian's iconic car. So, again, while the beloved actor is gone, he’s still ever-present because of the homages from his friends, family and fans.

Seeing this tattoo for the performer certainly made me happy, and it seemed to make Vin Diesel happy too. Now, I’m even more excited for Fast and Furious 11, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to honor the Walker, and how fans show their appreciation for him.

To go back and watch Walker and Diesel in these movies, you can stream the Fast and Furious films across various streaming platforms – the early films are available with a Peacock subscription. Then, get ready for the eleventh installment in the franchise by recapping the end of Fast X and preparing for what’s bound to be an epic and nostalgic continuation of that story in 2026.

Paul Walter Hauser is really staking his claim as one of the most talented actors working in Hollywood today. While he’s been making headlines in recent months for his roles in Orion and the Dark and the recently released Inside Out 2, he drew attention weeks ago for a very different reason. Hauser spoke with CinemaBlend while promoting the aforementioned Pixar film and, during the chat, he called out Vin Diesel for alleged unprofessional behavior. Now, Hauser is speaking out about his viral comments. Not only has he apologized for them but he’s also provided some context for them.

What Did Paul Walter Hauser Say About Vin Diesel?

CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb was able to conduct interviews with the Inside Out 2 cast and, as part of the junket, he spoke with both Paul Walter Hauser and Lewis Black together. While discussing the arc that Hauser’s character –Embarrassment – has, McCobb likened the role to Vin Diesel’s Groot from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hauser then declared, “Please don’t say that!” He then proceeded to say that he likes “to think I’m on time and approachable.” Hauser went on to add: 

As mentioned, the comments that the I, Tonya alum shared with us made waves across the Internet. The actor himself was clearly aware of how many people read his comments, and that might be a reason why he sought to clear the air.

How Did Paul Walter Hauser Respond After His Sentiments Hit The Web?

The Richard Jewell star shared a message, in which CinemaBlend and more were tagged, on his Instagram account in which he addressed the sentiments he shared about the Fast & Furious star. Along with an image that displayed the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 4:11, the actor dropped a lengthy caption. After reflecting on what transpired during the interview, he then proceeded to provide some context for how he was feeling at that time: 

Paul Walter Hauser went on to say that he is “sorry” for sharing the sentiments and admitted that he does “get riled up by some of the behavior I’ve witnessed, or heard about.” As for “outing” such stars, Hauser acknowledged that doing that “to any extent can feel momentarily satiating.” He also added: 

Amid his address, the Cobra Kai actor mentioned his faith, saying that “as a self-professed Christian, I need to do a better job of loving people and not trying to “right a wrong”, or allow my ego to posture itself with some sort of verbal flex.” Many of us can surely agree that it’s not easy to apologize, and it certainly takes a big person to do it. 

It is worth mentioning that over the past several years there have been rumors regarding Vin Diesel’s alleged conduct on sets. Much of that stemmed from comments made by Dwayne Johnson amid his beef with Diesel. At the time, Johnson went off on his male FF co-stars and, without naming people specifically, he referred to some of them as “candy asses.”
Whether there was definitely validity to the comments that Paul Walter Hauser made about Diesel can’t be said. However, what seems apparent from Hauser’s social media post is that he’s aiming to be more conscientious with his words moving forward. 

You can check out Inside Out – one of the biggest titles on the 2024 movie schedule – as it’s still playing in theaters now.

You know it’s time to get ready for a Fast and Furious movie when Dom’s signature black Dodge Charger and/or Challenger come out. And in Vin Diesel’s update about the upcoming Fast X: Part 2, we got to see not one but three of those incredible black cars his character is known for driving. Let’s just say that after seeing this video, pumped is an understatement.

To celebrate the fact that the cast of F&F is seemingly preparing for production, Diesel took to Instagram to post this sick video of three black cars being pulled out of a racetrack on a trailer. All three are black cars that look like Dom’s signature vehicles, and it’s incredibly cool, take a look:

What makes this video super interesting is the fact that Fast 11 will start filming in January 2025 with Louis Leterrier back as director after helming Fast X. So, I have to wonder where exactly Vin Diesel is going with those cars that are famously known for being Dom Toretto's style.

A week ago, Diesel posted on Instagram that he had been training for Fast X’s follow-up. Posting a photo of him and Sung Kang, who plays fan-fave Han, the Dom actor wrote:

So, it wouldn’t shock me if he was back in those classic black cars for training purposes. That theory also tracks since the cars were being pulled out of a race track.

Famously, the car stunts in all the Fast and Furious movies are jaw-dropping and the team has put a lot of work into pulling what they can off practically, and that means the actors and stunt crew need to train for them. Also, since filming is still months away, it makes sense that Diesel was likely using the cars to prepare for production.

We know that the eleventh Fast film will bring the gang back home to LA where it all began, and as they prepare for the F&F franchise to conclude, they’ll be going back to their roots. Hopefully, this means we’ll also witness stunts like the ones we saw in the OG Fast and Furious movie – like the train sequence and those epic street races. While we don’t know exactly why Vin Diesel was leaving the track with Dom’s cars, my hope is that he was training for moments that pay homage to the first films in this franchise.

As we learn more about what’s to come with Fast X: Part 2, we’ll make sure to keep you updated on all the action. Considering it’s not coming out until 2026, you can fill your time by checking out the 2024 movie schedule and streaming or renting the first F&F movies to reacquaint yourself with Dominic Toretto’s iconic cars.

Professionalism. It goes a long way in Hollywood. You can make more friends in the industry by being a professional. Tom Hanks told CinemaBlend’s official podcast ReelBlend that he has two mandates on every set he runs: Be on time, and know the lines. That’s it. That’s how you make Tom Hanks happy. On the flip side, you can make enemies by not behaving on set. The Rock made headlines recently for some of his behavior on set, leading to complications for production teams, co-stars, and the like. And now we’re hearing more about Vin Diesel, courtesy of Inside Out 2 performer Paul Walter Hauser. 

We spoke with Paul Walter Hauser, who voices Embarrassment in the massively successful Pixar sequel, as part of the Inside Out 2 press day. And when we made a comparison between Hauser and Vin Diesel, who famously lends his voice to the character of Groot, Hauser immediately pushed back. Here, watch for yourself:

We rarely get this kind of candid talk at a press junket. Hollywood is a small town, and there’s a hierarchy that exists, for better and for worse. Celebrities usually tow the line, and say nice things about people. You never know who you might get the chance to work with down the line. But Paul Walter Hauser, who is doing extremely well for himself with his upcoming roles, didn’t mind burning the Vin Diesel bridge by sharing his thoughts on the actor’s prevalent on-set reputation. The best part of the above video is the look of surprise on Inside Out 2 co-star Lewis Black’s face as Hauser tells CinemaBlend:

There have been rumors regarding Vin Diesel’s on-set behavior over the years, with most of it attributed to the timetable he keeps. I can even speak from experience that if you participate in a Vin Diesel press day, you can expect to go longer than usual as you wait for the A-lister to conduct business. So I’m not totally shocked by the words that are coming out of Paul Walter Hauser’s mouth.  

As mentioned, though, Hauser doesn’t need a role in Fast Whatever, because he’s got several exciting projects on his own horizon. He will return to the world of Cobra Kai for the show’s sixth and final season. He has been cast in an undisclosed role for Fantastic Four, the highly anticipated Marvel Studios project. And he has been tapped to play the legendary comedian Chris Farley in a planned biopic. I doubt we’ll hear any gossipy stories about Hauser’s behavior on the sets of those movies. Because if you are prepared to throw stones, don’t live in a glass house, right?

The ending of Fast X left all of our heroes in dire straights. Dominic Toretto and his son were at the bottom of a dam with a flood of water bearing down. Several characters had apparently been in a plane crash, and in the Fast X post-credits scene, Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs was targeted by Jason Momoa’s Dante. We all have no idea what’s going to happen next. And it seems that what happens next may have drastically changed.

From everything we knew about Fast & Furious 11, or Fast X: Part 2 or whatever it’s going to be called, it was originally going to be written by Orien Uziel and Christina Hodson. However, in a post to Instagram, Vin Diesel revealed that the role has apparently now been given to Zach Dean, the writer of Chris Pratt’s The Tomorrow War.

It seems that the decision has been made to keep the writing in the “family.” Uziel and Hodson would have been newcomers to the Fast & Furious franchise, but Dean had the story credit on Fast X. One assumes that if the last movie's story was his creation, he had at least some sort of plan for where it would go from there, so having him write the new screenplay makes a certain amount of sense.

Of course, changing writers has the potential to delay production, meaning we really have no idea when we might see Fast X: Part 2. The movie currently has a June 2026 release date, so there’s still plenty of time to get a script written and hit that date. It’s unclear from Vin Disel’s comment if Zach Dean’s script is done or something that is currently in progress.

Diesel also refers to writer Chris Morgan, whose work Diesel was apparently doing ADR for at the time. Morgan wrote all the Fast & Furious movies from Tokyo Drift to Fate of the Furious, as well as the Hobbs & Shaw spinoff. Morgan is currently working on the Dwayne Johnson-led Fast & Furious spinoff that we’re supposed to see before Fast X: Part 2. That movie is reportedly not Hobbs & Shaw 2, though it should absolutely be Hobbs & Shaw 2.

Expectations are certainly high for the next Fast & Furious movie. It’s expected to be the last of the main franchise. However, fans have been teased by the idea that the “final” movie could end up as its own trilogy. Either way, it seems unlikely that the Fast & Furious franchise will be ending entirely. There are still other spinoffs that fans have been promised and the success of the franchise, including the upcoming Universal Studios Hollywood roller coaster, indicates that Universal is unlikely to end it anytime soon, if at all.

Last November marked 10 years since Paul Walker tragically died in a car crash. He’s still missed by many, including his daughter Meadow, who posted a touching photo back in February of the two of them together when she was a little kid. Vin Diesel, who starred opposite Walker in the first seven Fast & Furious movies, also does his part keeping his late friend’s memory alive. The most recent example of this is that the car most associated Walker’s character Brian O’Connor will seemingly appear in the next installment, Fast 11, and fans are loving this nostalgia infusion.

What Vin Diesel Said About Paul Walker’s Car

In 2001’s The Fast and the Furious, Brian O’Connor drove around in an orange Toyota Supra that he found in a junkyard and fixed up with Dominic Toretto’s crew. More than two decades after that movie launched this popular franchise, Diesel shared on Instagram that this car will be back for Fast 11, teasing the following in a video showing off this cool ride on set:

At the end of The Fast and the Furious, Brian gave Dom the keys to the Toyota so they he could flee the authorities, as he owed him a ten-second car. Since the Toyota never appeared again, one could have assumed that Dom simply ditched it at some point. Quite the contrary, as evidently he stored the car for a rainy day, and 20+ years later, it looks like he’ll get it back on the road for Fast 11.

How Fans Responded To Learning The Car Will Be In Fast 11

While lot of cars have obviously been featured in the Fast & Furious franchise, this orange Toyota Supra is definitely among the most memorable, so a lot of fans were jazzed that it’s returning for Fast 11. Here are some of the positive comments that were posted:

• No matter wha people say these movies got a special place in my heart and everyone else’s -2offical.dev_
• Finally bringing it back! Now to bring back Paul’s GTR from Miami and it will be perfect 😍 -airforcegtr
• Paul Walker AKA Brian always in our hearts 🙂🌷 -drakent_nz
• We’re going to see dom pull up in that Supra in the last f&f how much yall wanna bet -killer.g35
• Ahhhhhhh ❤️❤️❤️ yesssssss -fuelfest
• Hell yes. It's about time it goes back to the cars not the action. -cgauger

Although Paul Walker is no longer with us, Brian O’Connor is still alive in the Fast & Furious world, as most recently shown by his car driving up to the Toretto household at the end of F9. Regardless of how the Toyota gets put back into play, I’d like to think that Dom told Brian about it still being around long ago, rather than Brian having to learn it wasn’t turned back into scrap or ended up in someone else’s hands long after the events of Fast 11.

We’ll see what kind of craziness the orange Toyota Supra gets looped into, whether it’s Dom behind the wheel or someone else, when Fast 11 opens in theaters sometime in 2026. The most recent movie, Fast X, can currently be streamed with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, and use the 2024 release schedule to learn what movies come out later this year.

There are a lot of reasons that a young actor may change their name. Sometimes it's as simple as just wanting a cool new name. Often it's because someone is already in the union was using the actor's real name and they have to adjust. Here's a list of some of Hollywood's biggest stars and their real names. 

Ben Kingsley (Krishna Pandit Bhanji)

The great Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for his role in the great biopic Gandhi. It makes sense he would play the Indian freedom fighter, as Kingsley himself is Indian. Born to an Indian father and an English mother, Kingsley grew up in England and while his father was a practicing Shia Muslim, Kinglsey is not and considers himself a Quaker. He changed his name for that oh-so-common reason, that he feared a foreign-sounding name would hurt his career. 

Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson)

The story is both hilarious and heartfelt. She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in New York, but when she started acting, she was accused of being flatulent, so Whoopi "short for whoopee cushion." Her surname came from a Jewish ancestor, Goldberg, so she could celebrate the diversity in her family line. 

Judy Garland (Frances Ethel Gumm)

Judy Garland first started in show business as a singer with her sisters, going by their names, The Gumm Sisters. After they were billed as the "Glum Sisters" for a show, it was suggested they change their name. Judy Gumm took her mother's maiden name, Garland, and the rest is history. 

Martin Sheen (Ramon Gerard Estevez)

Martin Sheen's real name is Ramon Gerard Estevez, but he changed it when he broke into the business for the same reason so many others have made the decision, to be less ethnic, as early in his career they said he looked Irish. One of his sons, Charlie Sheen, chose to use the same screen name, but one of his other sons, Emilio Estevez, chose to use his given name. Sheen's daughter, Renée Estevez, an occasional cast member of The West Wing with her father, also stuck with the family name. 

Vin Diesel (Mark Sinclair)

Vin Diesel took on that name after being born Mark Sinclair when he worked as a bouncer as he tried to break into show business. "Vin" comes from his adoptive surname, Vincent, and Diesel came simply because he wanted a cool name as a bouncer. 

Miley Cyrus (Destiny Hope Cyrus)

Though she was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, Miley Cyrus decided to go by the moniker she's best known as because that was simply what her family called her growing up. Her nickname in the family was originally "Smiley" which was eventually shortened to Miley. Her first couple of professional acting gigs, in the TV show Doc and the Tim Burton movie Big Fish, she was billed by her real name, Destiny Cyrus. 

Cary Grant (Archibald Alec Leach)

Early in his Vaudeville career, the great Cary Grant used his real name, Archibald Leach. When he got to Hollywood, as is so often the case, the studio didn't think the name wasn't "box office" enough, so he changed it to Cary Grant. 

Natalie Portman (Natalie Hershlag)

Natalie Portman's real name is Natalie Hershlag, but unlike so many others, she didn't change it because the name was "too ethnic" or not generic enough. As she explained to Vanity Fair in 2024, it was because she wanted to create a separate identity for her work and personal life. 

Portia De Rossi (Amanda Lee Rogers)

Portia de Rossi's name change came, at least originally, because she simply wanted a more exotic-sounding name when she started acting in her teens. Her given name, Amanda Lee Rogers, was just bland. She later revealed it may have been in part because she was struggling with her sexual identity as well. After marrying Ellen Degeneres in 2008, she changed it again, this time combining her real and stage names, Portia Lee James DeGeneres. Professionally she is still Portia de Rossi though. 

Joaquin Phoenix (Joaquin Rafael Bottom)

The Phoenix family has a fascinating history, one that includes time in the cult Children of God. When the family left that group, they made a collective decision to change their last name to one of rebirth, and Joaquin Rafael Bottom became Joaquin Phoenix.

Jamie Foxx (Eric Marlon Bishop)

Born Eric Marlon Bishop in 1967, Jamie Foxx took his stage name early when he was a standup. He says that he noticed women often got preferential spots during open mics, so he decided he wanted a more androgynous name, choosing Jamie. For his last name, he picked it as a tribute to his favorite comedian, Redd Foxx. 

John Wayne (Marion Robert Morrison)

It was a lot more common back in the day for actors to adopt cooler-sounding stage names and that was pretty much the case for Marion Robert Morrison, who ended up John Wayne. It's easy to see why he did it, whether it was a good idea or not. It worked for him. 

Tom Cruise (Thomas Cruise Mapother IV)

Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise didn't change much, but it was a meaningful change. His real name at birth was Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, obviously named after his father, hence the suffix. Cruise had a very difficult relationship with his dad, so when he began his career, he dropped the Mapother in part to distance himself from his then-estranged father. The two later reunited when his father was on his deathbed. 

Olivia Wilde (Olivia Cockburn)

Actor and director Olivia Wilde's story about why she changed her name is pretty simple. She decided she wanted to stage name, and at the time was acting in Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest, which she loved. So she went with Wilde as a homage to the legendary playwright. 

Meg Ryan (Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra)

It's pretty easy to see why Meg Ryan chose to simplify her name when she started acting. Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra sure is a mouthful, so cutting a 25-letter name down to a seven-letter one makes sense. Meg is short for Margaret and Ryan is the maiden name of maternal grandmother. 

Kirk Douglas (Issur Danielovitch)

In another example of early Hollywood stars fearing their given names would hold them back for sounding too ethnic, Kirk Douglas changed his name from Issur Danielovitch. He told People it was because he feared it would hold him back and it sounded "too Semitic." 

Mahershala Ali (Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore)

Like others on this list, it's easy to see why Mahershala Ali changed his name from Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore. Not only is Mahershalalhashbaz really hard to spell and pronounce, but the Green Book actor also converted to Islam as a teenager, taking Mahershala Ali as his Muslim name. 

Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson)

One of the most famous name changes in Hollywood history is Norma Jeane Mortensen changing her name to Marilyn Monroe. There is no big story behind it, it simply was a snazzier name and Monroe was her mother's maiden name. 

Michael Keaton (Michael Douglas)

This one is easy to understand. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas. Obviously with an actor already in the union (Romancing The Stone star Michael Douglas), Keaton had to come up with a new name for billing. He chose the last name out of respect for early Hollywood star Buster Keaton. 

Michael Caine (Maurice Joseph Micklewhite)

If you think Maurice Micklewhite is a bit of a mouthful, you're not alone. English legend Michael Caine thought so too. In 2016, he legally changed his name from Micklewhite to Caine, because, according to the Batman Begins actor says it caused too much confusion at airports. 

Winona Ryder (Winona Laura Horowitz)

This one is a little in dispute - though not really. Charlie Sheen once claimed he gave Winona Horowitz her new name, Ryder, after listening to The Doors song "Riders on the Storm." Ryder says she got it when her father asked if she wanted a stage name while they were listening to Mitch Ryder. 

Demi Moore (Demetria Gene Guynes)

The story of Demi Moore's stage name (changed from Demetria Guynes) is both mundane and unique. Before she started appearing in acting roles, Moore married musician Freddy Moore when she was 18. So while Moore was her married name, it was a new name, just as her career was taking off. Demi is simply short for Demetria. 

Dove Cameron (Chloe Celeste Hosterman)

Dove Cameron has never explained why she chose Cameron as her stage name, but her reason for choosing Dove is bittersweet. Dove was her father's nickname for her and after he took his own life, she decided she wanted to go by that, in tribute to him. 

Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian)

It takes a lot of gall and a lot of talent to decide you're going to go with a one-name moniker, and Cher has oodles of both. It's not hard to see what she did, she simply shortened her first name, Cherilyn, and dropped her last. 

Olivia Colman (Sarah Caroline Colman)

Like others on this list, Olivia Colman couldn't join the actors union with her birth name, Sarah Colman, so she changed it. As she explained in 2013, Colman chose Olivia because it is one of her best friends from college's name and she loved it. 

Carmen Electra (Tara Leigh Patrick)

There aren't many people who can claim the legendary Prince gave them their name, but Carmen Electra can. Way back at the start of her career, when she was working with the Purple One, he decided Tara wasn't good enough and named her Carmen. In 2023, Tara Leigh Patrick officially changed her legal name to Carmen Electra, because who wouldn't?

Lily James (Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson)

Like others here, Lily James renamed herself in honor of her late father, James. Though Thomson was also her father's name, of course, she wanted to do more, deciding taking on the stage name "James" to do so. 

Nicolas Cage (Nicolas Kim Coppola)

Nicolas Cage's first movie role was basically just a background character in Fast Times At Ridgemont High. He is billed in the credits by his legal name, Nicolas Coppola, and yeah, it's that Coppola. While on the set of Fast Times, his co-stars would endlessly quote his famous uncle's (Francis Ford Coppola) movies. He decided then and there he needed to distance himself from his famous family (Talia Shire is his aunt, and Sophia Coppola and Jason Schwartzman are cousins).

Julianne Moore (Julie Anne Smith)

Julie Smith is a pretty common name, and when the great Julieanne Moore hit Hollywood, she soon discovered the name was already taken in the union. She tried different combinations, but they were all spoken for. In the end, she combined her first and middle names, and took her father's name, Moore, as her surname. It's like having to go through dozens of combos to find the right vanity plate, but in the end, it's hard to imagine the actor with any other name. 

Mindy Kaling (Vera Mindy Chokalingam)

It seems Hollywood is still getting people to change their names if they or people around them fear a real name is too complicated or foreign. Indian actor and writer Mindy Kaling is a recent example when she simplified her name from Vera Mindy Chokalingam to Mindy Kaling. 

David Tennant (David John McDonald)

Former Dr. Who and Jessica Jones star David Tennant has a tried and true story as well, his real name, David McDonald, was taken. He explained some years ago on James Corden's show, where he also explained that he chose "Tennant" because he saw the name from a music magazine in an article about Neil Tennant of The Pet Shop Boys. 

Chevy Chase (Cornelius Crane Chase)

Chevy Chase comes from a very blood-blue family who can trace their roots in America back to the Mayflower. Cornelius Crane Chase, the Vacation star's real name, reflects this perfectly. The reason he goes by "Chevy" is because his grandmother started calling him that when he was a kid. So, not much of a story here, but he's real name is just so posh, that we had to include it here. 

Helen Mirren (Helen Lydia Mironoff)

Like others, this one is just a technicality. Helen Mirren was born Helen Lydia Mironoff in London to an English mother and a Russian father. When Mirren was 10 years old, her father anglicized the family name to "Mirren." 

It’s been a little over a year since Riddick: Furya’s most recent announcement put the Vin Diesel sequel on the horizon. This made the movie feel a lot closer to happening, since Diesel’s 2015 reveal of a planned Riddick four-quel and TV series was been followed by a lot of teases but not a lot of movement. For a franchise that some put alongside the best sci-fi movies, pure belief has tended to this series' flame. 

Now, it looks as though that faith may be rewarded, as the next chapter in Riddick’s chronicles looks like it’s finally happening after almost a decade of teasing. The latest news came from Variety, which states that Riddick: Furya will start shooting this summer on August 26. 

Vin Diesel is coming back as Richard B. Riddick with writer/director David Twohy continuing his duties in both of those jobs. As for where this project will be taking this rowdy roadshow, “Germany, Spain and the UK” have been mentioned as the shooting locations on the docket. 

Unfortunately, we don’t have a solid release window set for this Riddick resurrection. What we do have are the following story notes about Furya from the trade report: 

New imposing monsters, a long awaited homecoming, and heavy competition trying to outgun the hero we were introduced to in Pitch Black. If that’s not a Riddick movie, I frankly don’t know what is. And even though Riddick 4’s development history has seen quite a bit of time separating us from 2013’s Riddick, I’d like to think that I still have enough fond memories of that ass kicking journey to know what such a picture entails. 

The timing of this announcement feels right, as Fast 11’s new release date seems to have given Diesel a gap in his schedule. Perhaps that’s the magic situation that needed to take shape for Riddick: Furya to make its way into reality. And speaking of the Fast Saga’s latest release strategy, I’m willing to guess that a potential 2025 release date may be in play. 

That hypothesis comes from the simple fact that next year will mark the 25th anniversary of Vin Diesel’s first time slipping on his special goggles and saving his party from whatever stood in their way. But again, there’s no official date marked down for release, and even if there was, there’s no way of telling what potential delays could crop up . 

All we know at this point is that Riddick: Furya is in the works and closer to happening than ever before. Now, all we need is someone to develop a worthy tie-in video game that can hold its own against The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and that sweet nostalgia can flow once more. 

For now, Peacock subscribers will have to settle for returning to the previous three Riddick films, which are all available to stream on that specific platform. One final note: if die hard fans want to go back to the animated spin-off The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury, that'll require a separate rental/purchase.

Get the family together, because it's time to prepare for one final ride! Up to this point, we haven't learned much about the upcoming Fast and Furious 11. However, recently, the film’s director Louis Leterrier opened up about the release date for the Fast and Furious franchise’s finale and where it'll take place. Let's just say, I'm very here for this plan!

Leterrier, who is returning for Fast 11 after directing Fast X, explained to Collider that pre-production on the upcoming movie is happening soon, and he clarified that filming should start in early 2025. This makes the projected release year for the film 2026 -- which would be 25 years since the release of 2001’s The Fast and The Furious. The director said:

It can be assumed that this movie will come out in the summer of 2026. However, the exact release date hasn’t been announced yet. The Fast and The Furious came out on June 22, 2001, so if the eleventh film’s premiere happens “exactly to the day” as the director said, we can predict that the release date will be in late June 2026.

Along with this exciting update that places Fast 11's release window in a very special year, the director explained that the setting will also pay homage to the movie that started this whole adventure. While quite a few of the Fast movies have included Los Angeles as a location, Leterrier dished that it will be the primary setting for the eleventh movie in the franchise. Going into detail about this choice, he said:

Overall, I love that the franchise is playing into the nostalgia, and it's going to come full circle on such a special anniversary year. Leterrier has said that they know where the Fast franchise will end, and I’m thrilled that part of that ending will include the city where all of this started.

Hopefully, this also means they’ll scale down the story a bit to mirror the first few Fast and Furious films too. I’d love to see Dom and co. pulling off heists like they did back in 2001.

Along with knowing the release year and the setting for Fast 11, we know that Dwayne Johnson is returning to the franchise after his cameo at the end of Fast X.  We’re also aware that a few changes will be made to Jason Momoa’s villain from Fast X. On top of that, it’s expected that the majority of the FF Family will be back – including, but not limited to, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Sung Kang, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham, Ludacris, Charlize Theron and even Gal Gadot – considering all the cliffhangers we were left on at the end of Fast X that need to be resolved. 

As we learn more about the family’s final outing in Fast and Furious 11, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. In the meantime, while we count down the days to 2026, check out the 2024 movie schedule to see what other action-packed flicks are coming to theaters in the next year.  

Since Vin Diesel has played Dominic Toretto for over two decades now, it’s easy to forget that there will come a post-Fast And Furious time for the actor. But Diesel has been teasing closing the book on the franchise in order to give the movie series its “own ending,” and reports have pointed to next year’s installment giving the franchise’s central storyline a finale. With that in mind, Vin Diesel is getting very excited about a new project that is completely unrelated to his Fast family.

Diesel took to his Instagram on Friday to share a selfie along with a message about an exciting movie he’s currently working on. Check out the post:

Vin Diesel shared that he is set to play Kojak after receiving a script that he is calling the “best” of 2024. The actor has been attached to a Kojak movie for over a decade, but it looks like the producers and Diesel are finally happy with the direction it's going. In Diesel’s words:

Kojak is one of the best classic mystery shows that has ever been on television. The series that ran from 1973 to 1978 follows the life of an NYPD detective named Theo Kojak (played by Telly Savalas). Per Diesel’s comments, Sony Pictures executive Amy Pascal is involved in the movie. Pascal has famously been behind the Tom Holland and recent animated Spider-Man movies, along with 2019’s Little Women and the upcoming Zendaya-led movie Challengers, among others.

While announcing what’s happening with his Kojak movie, Vin Diesel reflected on his 2006 movie Find Me Guilty, where he portrayed New Jersey mobster Jackie DiNorscio for Sidney Lumet’s based-on-a-true-story film. He called the mobster someone with “film ideals and infatigable convictions,” not unlike Detective Kojak.

Fans may be feeling emotional about the end of Dominic Toretto on the big screen, whatever shape that may take, but it will free the actor up to take on different roles like this one. Hey, maybe the Kojak movie will be one of Vin Diesel’s best movies? The actor sounds excited enough about it for that to be a possibility!

While we wait to hear more details about the Kojak movie, you can look forward to the conclusion of the Fast saga by marking your calendars for the eleventh installment, which is expected to hit theaters on April 4, 2025.

While the Fast & Furious movies remain popular offerings of cinematic entertainment to the masses, there have also been some real-life conflicts that have sprung out from the franchise. The biggest of the bunch is without question the feud between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel, who respectively play Luke Hobbs and Dominic Toretto. Now John Cena, who had a brief stint in the Fast & Furious world playing Jakob Toretto, has given his take on this feud, which included describing his former co-stars as being “very alpha.”

Cena stopped by Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast to talk about his career, so naturally that included his time in F9 and Fast X. And while he and Johnson never overlapped in either of those movies, obviously the two are quite familiar with each other from the WWE. So Cena’s pretty well qualified to give an opinion on either men, leading to him giving the following response when Shepard mentioned the rumors about how Johnson and Diesel made for a “tough pairing” when the former came on board for Fast Five in 2011:

Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel not getting along, at least publicly, stretches as far back as 2016, when The Rock referred to some of his co-stars in The Fate of the Furious as “candy asses” in an Instagram post. It soon became clear he was talking about Diesel, and from there that spiraled into their infamous feud that led to Johnson leaving the main Fast & Furious film series. However, that didn’t end up being permanent, as Johnson reprised Luke Hobbs in the Fast X mid-credits scene, and now he has another spinoff movie lined up. That’s not to say that the feud is entirely over, but it does seem as though these two are in a much better place now with their work dynamic.

As far as his perspective goes, John Cena brought up in his conversation with Dax Shepard how he has experience adapting to complicated environments from his time wrestling. Because he’s being invited into “someone's home, into someone's family,” in this case that being the Fast & Furious franchise, he has to have “respect” for that “rarefied air,” regardless of how some of the other actors “ look physically in comparison to another human being.” So because he’s a guest, Cena has been careful not to get involved in any of the drama, saying:

As things currently stand, Dwayne Johnson will return to the Fast & Furious franchise for Hobbs & Reyes, where he’ll costar opposite Jason Momoa in a midquel bridging the events of Fast X and Fast 11, which will wrap up the main Fast Saga. It remains to be seen if Johnson will also appear in Fast 11, but even after the main film series concludes, the franchise as a whole is expected to continue with other spinoffs. For John Cena, though, his time in the Fast & Furious world came to an end when Jakob Toretto sacrificed his life in Fast X so that Dom could save his son Brian.

Fast 11 is set for release on April 4, 2025, but Hobbs & Reyes doesn’t have a release date yet. Both Fast X and John Cena’s newest movie, Ricky Stanicky, can be streamed with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

The Oscars were something to be experienced, and the stars all came out for Hollywood’s biggest night. It seemed like everyone was having a great time, but few were embracing the fun like Charlize Theron, who presented the Best Actress award along with other fellow Oscar winners. She looked beautiful and took the opportunity to do some photobombing of Emma Stone, before hanging out with old friend Vin Diesel at the after party. 

The Atomic Blonde star arrived at the Academy Awards wearing a Dior Haute Couture silver gown and was adorned with Boucheron jewels. The look was classic Hollywood glamor, perfect for the Oscars and the award she was about to present. The Oscars can be a stuffy event, but that is not the vibe Theron brought. She photobombed Emma Stone putting on lipstick, posed with other stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Sally Field, and of course met up with Fast and Furious co-star Vin Diesel. She posted an Instagram carousel showing moments from the night, which you can see below. 

Charlize Theron was a part of one of the most sentimental parts of the ceremony. Former winners introduced the 2024 Oscar nominees for acting individually, listing their accomplishments and how their performance was impactful. Theron was chosen to speak on Annette Bening, who was nominated for her performance in Nyad. The presenter previously received her own gold statue back in 2004 for Monster, and has been nominated twice more since the honor. It was great to see her take the stage once again with other winners, and I hope this presentation style becomes a tradition at the Oscars. 

Many of the photos Theron posted from the night included Stone, and I can’t help but love this unexpected duo. The actresses have never appeared on the silver screen together but all of these adorable moments from the Oscars makes me want to see them take on a project together. Both stars are pretty busy, with Stone set to star in another Yorgos Lanthimos movie, Kinds of Kindness this year, and Theron teaming up with Daniel Craig for an upcoming heist flick, Two For the Money. But these two seem to get along great, and I’d love for them to find a way to star alongside each other sometime in the future. 

When Theron wasn’t palling around with the Poor Things star, she found her way back to “family” member Vin Diesel. Those Fast and Furious movies are always emphasizing the importance of the family, and I love that this extends to real life. Even though it seems Theron is moving away from the franchise, the bond with Diesel remains strong, and they posed together at the Universal party. Theron was truly the life of the party, bonding with new friends, as well as old. 

Emma Stone took home the little gold man this year, but fans can revisit Charlize Theron’s own Oscar winning performance in Monster, which is streaming now for Amazon Prime subscribers. You can also catch her alongside Vin Diesel in F9, which is also streaming on the platform. For information on upcoming films featuring big stars like these ones, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule.