Vin Diesel has confirmed that the next installment in the high-octane franchise, currently operating under the working title Fast Forever, will begin principal photography this December. The actor made the announcement during a recent fan event, signaling that the long-gestating sequel to 2023’s Fast X is finally moving into production after months of speculation and script rewrites.
The news arrives as the franchise navigates a complex road ahead. Fast X, which hit theaters on May 17, 2023, ended on a cliffhanger that left Dominic Toretto’s family scattered and in peril, setting up what was originally planned as a two-part finale. Diesel’s confirmation that cameras will roll before the end of the year suggests that the studio has resolved creative differences and is ready to close out the saga - though whether this will be the final chapter or part of a broader expansion remains unclear.
A Family Under Siege
For those who missed the 142-minute blockbuster, Fast X centers on Dom and his crew confronting their most personal threat yet: a vengeful enemy from their past, fueled by blood revenge, who targets everything and everyone Dom loves. The film’s official synopsis describes a terrifying shadow figure determined to shatter the family unit that has survived impossible odds across countless missions. The movie, directed by Louis Leterrier, brought back the core ensemble, with Diesel reprising his role as Dominic Toretto alongside Michelle Rodriguez as Letty, Tyrese Gibson as Roman, and Ludacris as Tej. The cast also featured John Cena as Jakob, Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey, Jordana Brewster as Mia, and Sung Kang as Han, with the narrative juggling multiple threads across global locations.
The critical reception was mixed but generally favorable, with the film earning a TMDb rating of 6.984 out of 10. Reviewers praised the franchise’s trademark absurd stunts and family-first ethos, though some noted the sprawling plot left little room for character development. Regardless, the box office performance solidified the property’s staying power, and Diesel has repeatedly teased that the next chapter would be “the most emotional” yet.
A Long and Winding Road
Production on the follow-up has been anything but smooth. Originally, Fast X was intended to be the first of a two-part finale, with Justin Lin at the helm. However, Lin departed the project early in production due to creative differences, and Leterrier stepped in to complete the film. That upheaval, combined with reported disagreements over story direction and budget, delayed any greenlight for the sequel. There were also whispers that the studio considered trimming the planned finale into a single film, though Diesel’s latest comments suggest they’re committed to a proper send-off.
In his announcement, Diesel emphasized the emotional weight of the upcoming shoot, hinting that the story will honor the decade-and-a-half journey of the characters while introducing what he called “a new kind of adversary.” He stopped short of revealing plot details, but he assured fans that the December start date means the wait for a trailer won’t be too long. “We’ve been building toward this for years,” he said. “The family is going to face its biggest test, and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve been working on.”
What Comes Next
Questions remain about who will return beyond the core cast. The fate of certain characters was left ambiguous at the end of Fast X, and Diesel has hinted that some familiar faces from earlier films could resurface. Helen Mirren and Jason Momoa, who played the villainous Dante in the last outing, are widely expected to reprise their roles, though no official confirmations have been made. The director’s chair is also still unconfirmed - Leterrier has expressed interest in returning, but Universal has not made an announcement.
The franchise’s future doesn’t end with Fast Forever, either. A spinoff centered on Hobbs, played by Dwayne Johnson, has been in development for years, and Diesel has previously floated the idea of prequels exploring younger versions of his character. Still, for now, all eyes are on the December production start. With a release date not yet locked, most industry insiders predict a summer 2027 launch, giving the team ample time to execute what could be the most ambitious set pieces in the series - and a fitting farewell to the family that started with a simple street race in Los Angeles.
For longtime fans, the news is a relief. The uncertainty around the sequel’s future had fueled anxiety that the story might end unresolved. Diesel’s public commitment, however, signals that the franchise intends to stick the landing. As he put it, “This is the one we’ve been preparing for.” Whether that means a true end or a new beginning remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: December can’t come soon enough for the Fast family faithful.
Source: Variety
