Helen Mirren is a living legend and one of the best actresses to ever grace film. So, when it was announced, years ago, that she was happily joining the ‘Fast & Furious’ film franchise, people were slightly taken aback. The Helen Mirren in a ‘Fast & Furious’ film? Now, after three appearances in that franchise, Mirren is a fixture in Vin Diesel’s “family.” And according to the actress, this isn’t by mistake. 

Continue reading Helen Mirren “Begged” Vin Diesel To Cast Her In A ‘Fast & Furious’ Film at The Playlist.

“F9,” the latest entry in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, exploded onto screens worldwide this May, garnering commercial success to the tune of some $700 million and giving the series an opportunity to live long past its upcoming tenth and eleventh installments. Helmed by series mainstay Justin Lin, who has directed most of the entries since “Tokyo Drift” in 2006, “F9” is making one more quarter-mile run at top speed as it arrives on home media today, featuring a director’s cut with 7 minutes of new footage.

Continue reading Sung Kang, Jordana Brewster & Justin Lin Talk ‘F9: Director’s Cut,’ ‘Tokyo Drift’ & The Future of ‘Fast’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

Is there anything better than the feud between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson? Honestly? I can’t think of anything that makes my day brighter than the news that one of those two A-list actors has publicly commented about the other. So, when Vin Diesel, in the promotion of the recently-released “F9,” talked about how he was the primary reason that Johnson turned in good performances in the ‘Fast’ franchise (thanks to “tough love”), it was only a matter of time before The Rock had his rebuttal.

Continue reading Dwayne Johnson “Laughed Hard” At Vin Diesel Taking Credit For ‘Fast’ Performances & Confirms He Won’t Be In ‘Fast 10′ & ’11’ at The Playlist.

Any other year, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise that a ‘Fast & Furious’ film debuted with a huge box office total. But after a year of basically no theatrical releases and no major blockbusters, the fact that “F9” debuted with a $70 million estimated opening weekend is noteworthy. Not only is it the 3-day pandemic-era record for a major film, but when you combine it with the debuts of recent films like “A Quiet Place Part II,” “Cruella,” and “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” it’s clear that the North American theatrical industry is making a strong comeback.

Continue reading Vin Diesel & Charlize Theron Celebrate $70 Million ‘F9’ Box Office Debut: “Cinema Is Back!” at The Playlist.

Nine films later (10 if you count the ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ spinoff), it appears the ‘Fast & Furious’ Saga is entering its final quarter-mile stretch. And even though the film series is expected to end with a two-part finale, it appears that Vin Diesel, the godfather of all things fast and all things furious, already has the final scene in mind that will cap off the journey that began more than 20 years ago.

Continue reading Vin Diesel Has The Final Scene Of The ‘Fast’ Saga In His Mind Already But He Can’t Fully Articulate It Yet at The Playlist.

Vin Diesel takes the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise seriously. Very seriously. Diesel’s love for the franchise goes so far as to put him in a position where he often talks about the ‘Fast’ franchise as if it’s “Citizen Kane.” And because of that passion and seriousness towards his car-racing, action spectacle film series (that’s really about family), he’s willing to be the leader that helps shape the rest of the cast and crew, even if that includes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who apparently owes a lot of his acting ability to Diesel’s encouragement and guidance.

Continue reading Vin Diesel Says He Used “Tough Love” To Get A Good Performance Out Of Dwayne Johnson In The ‘Fast’ Franchise at The Playlist.

As Universal Pictures releases “F9” later this month, there has been speculation from “Fast & Furious” fans how they’ll continue the cash-cow run of action films once everything is tied up with “Fast & Furious 10” or “Fast & Furious 11.” However, the most recent installment has already earned an impressive $270.6 million globally, ahead of its domestic release.

Continue reading Vin Diesel Teases Potential Dom Toretto ‘Furious’ Solo Films & Role In James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ Sequels at The Playlist.

One of Universal Pictures‘ biggest franchises is “Fast & Furious,” once focused on a ragtag group of street racers dealing in stolen DVD players. However, the films have evolved into a slightly more digestible for parents. Vin Diesel‘s Dom and the gang have moved on to thwarting various criminals and terrorists with their super-human driving skills. 

READ MORE: Justin Lin Says Dwayne Johnson & Jason Statham Could Return To ‘Fast’ Films: “They’re Part Of This Family”

A while back, it was announced that a mystery “planetary blockbuster” would be screened during the Cannes Film Festival and it’s been officially revealed via Variety that the movie will actually be “F9.” Many had assumed it might have been Denis Villeneuve‘s “Dune” remake, but the sci-fi epic is instead making its world debut at the Venice Film Festival ahead of the October theatrical/HBO Max release.  

Continue reading Vin Diesel’s ‘F9’ Is The “Planetary Blockbuster” Screening At The Cannes Film Festival at The Playlist.

After a year that changed our relationship with movie-going, it would seem that things are trying to inch back into a semblance of “normalcy.” Theaters are reopening, and as people continue to receive their vaccinations, more and more will be looking to enjoy films on the big screen – especially those like the musical “In The Heights” or broad comedies and terrifying horror films which thrive on audiences feeding off of each other’s energy.

Continue reading 11 Movies to Watch in June: ‘Zola,’ ‘Sparks Brothers,’ ‘Luca’ & More at The Playlist.

Few franchises have endured the improbable twists and turns of “The Fast and the Furious” series. In the years since, what began as a cheap summer programmer took many forms, transforming from a “Point Break”-style cops-versus-criminals romp to an international, multifaceted spy franchise and in the process became the most successful franchise in the history of Universal Studios. It’s a franchise that has, implausibly, survived dramatic changes in creative leadership, the tragic death of one of its leads, and clashing egos (instead of breaking the series apart, the rift led to an enjoyable spin-off).

Continue reading ‘Fast & Furious: F9’ Is A Silly, Self-Aware & Hugely Satisfying Theme Park-Esque Ride [Review] at The Playlist.

If you’re in the United States, this is Memorial Day Weekend, and that means this is the unofficial start to the Summer Movie Season. Somewhat shockingly, considering a lot of theaters are still closed and studios are still apprehensive about releasing big blockbusters, it appears that 2021 will actually have a summer filled with big franchises, surprising indies, and original films. And with that in mind, on this episode of The Playlist Podcast, we break down the summer films that are arriving over the next few months to see if there are any that people should get excited about and which ones they should probably avoid.

Continue reading Summer Movie Preview: Marvel, Vin Diesel & More Invite You Back To The Cinema [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

Often, when you’re watching a new ‘Fast and Furious’ film, you will see whatever outlandish action is happening on screen and think to yourself, “Who the hell comes up with this stuff?” Well, in the case of the magnetic airplane from the upcoming “F9,” the answer is a nine-year-old kid. Literally.

READ MORE: Vin Diesel Says ‘Fast & Furious’ Love Story Might Be The “Biggest” In Cinema History

According to an interview with Empire, filmmaker Justin Lin, who directs the new ‘Fast and Furious film, aptly titled “F9,” explained that his son, Oqwe, was visiting him while he had to do meetings for the film.

Continue reading Justin Lin’s Young Child Came Up With The Idea For The Magnetic Plane Stunt In ‘F9’ at The Playlist.

So… I guess we’re back? If you’re an American, chances are you’ve been vaxxed to the max already and or are probably awaiting your second dose, which should come quickly.  As we already noted, folks like Marvel are already flexing, welcoming audiences back to theaters, and well, that means nature is healing, right? Cinema is healing too, and with New York vowing to reopen fully on June 1, that probably means the rest of the country isn’t far behind.

Continue reading Summer 2021 Preview: Over 50 Movies To Watch at The Playlist.

Today is the day that we finally got to see another “F9” trailer. And that means fans will spend all day watching and rewatching the new clip, talking about the latest bonkers action scene that is teased (they’re really going to space, huh?). It also means filmmaker Justin Lin is out there teasing what’s to come in the ‘Fast & Furious’ film saga.

READ MORE: ‘Fast & Furious’ To End With 2 More Films Directed By Justin Lin

Speaking to Deadline, Lin talked about a variety of things regarding ‘F9,’ aka “Fast & Furious 9: Family Trip To Space.” (Okay, not an official title, but really, it should be.) And one of the main topics of conversation is how the pandemic affected the release of the new ‘Fast’ film.

Continue reading Justin Lin Says Dwayne Johnson & Jason Statham Could Return To ‘Fast’ Films: “They’re Part Of This Family” at The Playlist.

Since the series debuted in 2001, the “Fast & Furious” films have grown from a trio of street-racing movies to an outsized action franchise. Now, the series reaches its conclusion with a trio of movies to finish things off. First up, “F9.”

READ MORE: ‘Fast & Furious 9’ Has Been Pushed Back, Once Again Delaying Justice For Han

Dom Toretto and the entire gang are back in another globetrotting, action-packed adventure to face off against a profoundly personal villain.

Continue reading ‘F9’ Trailer: The ‘Fast & Furious’ Gang Settle Some Family Business On June 25 at The Playlist.

There’s good news and bad news today in regards to folks hoping for a Summer Movie Season full of blockbusters and packed theaters. The bad news is Universal has gone ahead and delayed the release of the highly-anticipated “Fast & Furious” sequel, “F9.” The good news for fans of the franchise is the film is only getting pushed by a matter of weeks.

READ MORE: Cinemark CEO “Optimistic” Theaters Will Begin To “Light Up” This Summer With The Help Of Blockbusters

According to Deadline, Universal has moved “F9” from its original May 28 release date to June 25.

Continue reading Universal Pushes ‘F9’ Back A Month & Delays ‘Minions 2’ Into 2022 at The Playlist.

Last year, not much was known about the future of the pandemic when the theaters shut down in March. At that time, everyone was naive to wonder if we’d see a summer movie season in 2020. Obviously, not only did that not happen but we haven’t seen a full slate of films hit theaters in over a year, with many thinking that we should realistically start looking at fall before there’s any semblance of “normalcy” in how studios release films theatrically.

Continue reading Cinemark CEO “Optimistic” Theaters Will Begin To “Light Up” This Summer With The Help Of Blockbusters at The Playlist.

“No matter how fast you are, no one outruns their past,” is the tagline for “F9,” the ninth chapter in the “Fast & Furious Saga,” which has run for two decades now and has earned more than $5 billion around the world. F9 sees Justin Lin‘s return as director, who helmed the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters of the series when it transformed into a global blockbuster.

Continue reading ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ Trailer: Universal Sequel Revs Engines In New Super Bowl Spot at The Playlist.

It seems like only yesterday I was talking about how a Dutch cinema owner said “No Time to Die” was going to be delayed (again) from this April until November. Wait, it wasn’t yesterday, it was actually earlier today. And according to a new report from Variety, “No Time to Die” isn’t the only film that is on the bullet train to Delaysville.

READ MORE: Dutch Cinema Owner Claims ‘No Time To Die’ Is Delayed Again Until November 2021

In a macro sense, it’s unfortunate that the COVID-19 vaccine is taking longer than anticipated to reach the general public.

Continue reading ‘Black Widow,’ ‘F9’ & More Reportedly Will Be Delayed Unless Things “Drastically Improve” Over The Next Month at The Playlist.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. Aside from the election result, Trashfire 2020™ was a shitty year. And a weird and disorienting year thanks to COVID-19 and having to shelter-in-place, quarantine, and social distance from one another blah, blah, blah coronavirus f*cked us hard. Movies certainly took it in the teeth this year, and especially the theatrical industrial complex, which feels like it’s on its last legs. But regardless of what happens next for theaters, people are going to continue making and releasing movies.

Continue reading The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2021 at The Playlist.

The biggest marketing pull for Universal‘s “F9” is the promise that the film will bring “Justice for Han,” a phrase referring to the character of Han Seoul-Oh who is apparently coming back to life after being dead the past three movies. Sadly, it seems fans of the “Fast & Furious” saga will have to keep waiting to get some justice, because “F9” has been delayed yet again, and it’s all James Bond’s fault.

Continue reading ‘Fast & Furious 9’ Has Been Pushed Back, Once Again Delaying Justice For Han at The Playlist.

It’s almost been a joke for a few years now, but apparently, the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise has run out of ridiculous things to do on Earth and is now taking its action hijinks into space in the upcoming sequel, “F9.”

The fact that “F9” will send Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew to space in the long-delayed sequel (now set for a 2021 release) was revealed during an interview with the Jess Cagle Show on SiriusXM.

Continue reading Michelle Rodriguez Reveals ‘F9’ Will Send ‘Fast & Furious’ Crew To Space at The Playlist.

There are undeniable facts in the movie world, “Mad Max: Fury Road” is a perfect movie, “A Cure For Wellness” should have been a bigger hit, and the “Fast and Furious” franchise needs to go to space at one point. Well, it turns out that wish may soon become a reality, if we are to believe “F9” star Ludacris.

Continue reading ‘Fast 9’ Might Finally Take The Franchise To Space, Or So Teases Ludacris at The Playlist.

Whenever a global news story like COVID-19 hits, it’s inevitable that there will be a group of people that go on social media and spread disinformation and “fake news” that was gleaned from some less than reputable source. Normally, that person is your crazy Uncle Jerry that gets his news from the memes that float around Facebook. But rarely does someone spreading terrible conspiracy theories and blatantly false information have as much of a “reach” as ‘Fast & Furious’ actor Tyrese Gibson.

Continue reading ‘Fast & Furious’ Actor (Not A Pandemic Expert) Tyrese Gibson Is Spreading A Dangerous Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory at The Playlist.

It seems like only yesterday we were talking about how Vin Diesel was assuring fans that the newest ‘Fast & Furious’ sequel, “F9,” would arrive in May, as promised, even with the outbreak of coronavirus. Oh, that’s right, it was just yesterday. Well, what a difference a day can make, as we now know that “F9” is not only going to miss out on its May 22 release date but will also miss the entirety of 2020.

Continue reading ‘F9’ Delay: Coronavirus Forces ‘Fast & Furious’ Sequel To Move To 2021 at The Playlist.