The Fast and Furious franchise does not need to end after Fast Forever. However, it does need to say goodbye to Vin Diesel‘s Dominic Toretto.
The next movie in the Fast Saga, Fast Forever, is being billed as the final movie in this iteration of the franchise. While speaking at a 25th anniversary screening for The Fast and the Furious, Diesel shared a positive update on when cameras will begin rolling.
“We start shooting in December, if I can make good on the request from the studio,” Diesel told Variety. “I’m in a good place, though. I had to go through four sets of writers, four years of development, to get to something that I felt would be worthy of a finale. And when I read the script a couple of weeks ago, [I cried].”
The late 2026 production date makes sense for Fast Forever, which Universal dated for March 17, 2028. Louis Leterrier is still scheduled to direct from a screenplay by Michael Lesslie.
Fast Forever has been in development for longer than expected following 2023’s Fast X. The main issue has been budget concerns from Universal, which wants the film to cost $200 million, not like Fast X’s $378 million budget.
Budgetary issues aside, Fast Forever will not be the last time we see a story in The Fast and Furious universe. However, it should be Dom’s final chapter.
Fast Forever should close Dom’s story and tease what’s next
Dom Toretto has been the protagonist of the Fast Saga since the first film debuted in 2001. He’s an iconic character that will never be forgotten in this franchise. Dom and his family have gone through ups and downs over the years, but now, they finally have a chance to end their story in Fast Forever.
It’s time for new stories in The Fast and the Furious. Do not believe Universal‘s marketing that Fast Forever is the final chapter in this saga. It’s one of Universal’s most profitable franchises ever. They will make more Fast and Furious movies with a different cast in due time. I compare it to Jurassic World Rebirth, a reboot three years after Jurassic World Dominion supposedly ended the Jurassic Era. I expect something similar to happen with Fast and Furious in the future.
Plus, NBCUniversal is developing multiple Fast and Furious television shows, so the Fast Saga is expanding to new fronts.
Endings are a good thing. Although Diesel probably wants to continue playing the character, he gets a rare opportunity to give his character a proper send-off. What also needs to happen is a tease for the future. That could mean Dom passes the torch to a younger driver at the end of Fast Forever. A post-credits scene could also be used as a bridge to the future. Either way, Fast Forever must set up the first post-Dom installment to help build momentum for more movies.
Furious 7 beautifully wrapped up Brian O’Conner’s story. In Fast Forever, it’s now time for Dom to say goodbye and drive off into the sunset.
