Vin Diesel has officially announced the release date and title for the final installment of the "Fast & Furious" saga. "Fast Forever," the eleventh film in the franchise, is set to hit theaters on March 17, 2028. Diesel shared the news via his official social media, accompanied by a photo of himself and the late Paul Walker from the original 2001 film, "The Fast and the Furious".
In his announcement, Diesel wrote, "No one said the road would be easy… but it's ours. One that has defined us and become our legacy… And a legacy… lasts Forever". This message emphasizes the themes of family and legacy that have been central to the "Fast & Furious" franchise.
The announcement comes after a period of uncertainty surrounding the film, with previous reports suggesting budgetary concerns and script issues. There were even rumors about the possibility of the film being canceled if the budget exceeded $200 million. "Fast X," the preceding film, faced challenges with its budget, which reportedly ballooned past $300 million, partly due to creative differences that led to Justin Lin's departure as director. Louis Leterrier, who stepped in to direct "Fast X", is expected to return for "Fast Forever". The screenplay is penned by Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel. Later, Zach Dean replaced Hodson and Uziel as the writer.
Plot details for "Fast Forever" are currently under wraps. However, it is expected to pick up where "Fast X" left off, resolving the cliffhangers that left several characters in mortal peril. In "Fast X," Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) was last seen trying to escape Dante (Jason Momoa) with his son, Little Brian. The film also teased the return of Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot) and a showdown between Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Dante.
Diesel has expressed his desire to return the franchise to its roots, emphasizing street racing and car culture. He also stated that reuniting Dom and Brian O'Conner is one of his priorities. Considering Paul Walker's passing in 2013, it remains to be seen how the character of Brian O'Conner will be incorporated, although Diesel has hinted at honoring Walker's legacy.
The "Fast & Furious" franchise has been a massive box office success for Universal Pictures, grossing over $7.4 billion worldwide. While "Fast X" was the lowest-grossing entry in over a decade, it still managed to earn over $700 million globally. The studio is aiming for a more cost-effective production for "Fast Forever," targeting a budget under $200 million.
"Fast Forever" is set to be released almost five years after "Fast X," marking the longest gap between films in the series. Although initially conceived as a two-part finale, Diesel has suggested the possibility of a three-part conclusion. Despite this being the final film in the main series, Universal may continue the franchise through spin-offs, prequels, or standalone stories.
While no official cast announcements have been made, it is anticipated that many of the main actors from "Fast X" will reprise their roles in "Fast Forever".
