TheFast and Furiousfranchise has gone off the rails, butFast & Furious 11’s story could be what it needs to return to its roots.Fast Fiveis seen by many as the best filmin the series, introducing over-the-top action sequences with stars like Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Since that film,the franchise has accelerated its stunts and ridiculous plotsto the point where it’s impossible to take these movies seriously anymore. It’s hard to believeFast and Furiousused to be about street racing and heists when the characters are traveling to space or skydiving in cars.
Fast Xwas just as silly and excessive as the last few films, bolstered by an unhinged performance from Jason Momoa. SinceFast 11is expected to be the final filmof the franchise, it may not pull any punches, saving all the most physics-defying nonsense for the grand finale. However, Diesel has already shared some details about the film’s story, suggestingit may be more reserved than audiences expect.
Fast & Furious 11 Could Be A Simpler Film Than Expected
The finale of theFast and Furiousfranchise is a two-parter.Fast Xintroduced a new antagonistfor the family to defeat, but ended on a cliffhanger that left the door open for part 2. How the story continues is still unknown, but Diesel has already shared a light teaser for what the story could be. In an Instagram post to celebrate Father’s Day in 2024,Dieselshared a piece of concept art fromFast X: Part 2, with a caption that saidan “American road trip” is coming.
The caption is attached to a piece of concept art featuring a red and black car traveling through the snow. It’s unclear where this takes place, but based onhowFast Xended, it could be Dom driving through Antarctica to find Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). It’s important to remember that concept art isn’t always indicative of what will be in the movie and much could have changed since last year, buta road trip would be a perfect way to continue the story.
The Family Is Separated And Needs To Reunite
Fast Xended disastrously for the main team. Dominic Torreto and his son have to survive a massive dam explosion set by Momoa’s character, while a plane carrying Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris), Han (Sung Kang), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) was shot down. Meanwhile, Letty and Cipher (Charlize Theron) are somewhere in Antarctica and encounter Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot), who presumably died inFast & Furious 6.Johnson’s Luke Hobbs also appeared in a post-credit scene, despite the off-screen feud between him and Diesel.The family is scattered, and they need to find a way to reunite.
Since the family is separated,Fast X: Part 2could be a road trip from different perspectives, showing each team’s journey as they try and find each other. This would include plenty of cars and different methods of travel, setting up plenty of vehicular action in the franchise’s finale. There are still plenty of chances for explosive, goofy action scenes, but it can also slow things down as Dom brings the team back together.
Street racing is still an important part of theFast & Furiousfranchise, but it isn’t as essential as it was in the beginning.Fast Xincludes a street race, yetit was still marred by so many tech advancements and bombs that it takes away from the grounded approachthe franchise used to have. These films feel more like superhero movies, and a road trip allows the franchise to return to its roots. It would include more cars and roads, rather than planes and tanks, allowing more chances for exciting street racing.
While the energetic and extreme action sequences are entertaining,the franchise is often at its best when it’s just two characters racingand the winner takes all. It’s not as engrossing when a character cheats or the tech makes the race feel more likeRocket League. A road trip could set upFast & Furious 11to be a more simplistic film, taking the franchise back to its roots, rather than the nonsensical soap opera it has become.
