Vin Diesel‘s ambitious plans for the eleventh installment of the Fast & Furious franchise has ruffled feathers at Universal Pictures. Diesel’s hefty asking price of $250 million for Fast 11 has caused a stir, with the studio reportedly imploring the actor to make significant budget cuts and drop expensive cast members.
Key Takeaways:
– Vin Diesel’s desired budget of $250 million for Fast 11 has reportedly unsettled Universal executives who want to reign in costs.
– The studio is advocating for a more cost-effective cast, potentially sidelining high-priced actors like John Cena and Jason Statham.
– Fast X, the previous installment, pocketed $714.6 million globally, failing to justify its $340 million budget.
– While Diesel is determined to deliver a show-stopping finale to the Fast & Furious saga, escalating expenditure might call for a change in his plans.
An Expensive Reunion
Fast X, the tenth outing of the franchise, saw the return of recognizable faces from the previous entries, sending its budget soaring beyond the anticipated figures. According to The Wrap, Diesel’s Fast X budget was $340 million – a 70% increase from Fast 9’s $200 million budget.
Sadly, the tremendous expenditure could not guarantee commensurate returns. Box Office Mojo noted that Fast X only grossed $714.6 million worldwide at the closing stages of its theatrical debut.
Rising Tensions
Universal, 2023’s most successful Hollywood studio at the global, North American, and international box office, was left with palpable disappointment at Fast X’s financial performance. Now, the production giant is hedging against a similar performance from Fast 11.
An insider source spoke to the National Inquirer about the rising tension at the Fast 11 production camp. “Universal execs are begging Vin to figure out how to make this movie substantially cheaper,” the source revealed. This predicament presents a significant challenge for Diesel, who has already vowed to deliver the biggest Fast & Furious movie yet to his social media followers.
A Tough Standoff
The dispute has escalated to the point where Universal executives have implored Diesel to exclude certain high-priced actors from the next project, including John Cena and Jason Statham.
Diesel, who received a whopping $20 million for Fast X, appears to be caught between a rock and a hard place. He may ultimately have to marshal fan support to ensure the retention of the ‘expensive’ characters.
A Muddled Picture
In Fast X, Jason Statham secured the second-highest salary of $15 million, three times higher than the film’s villain, Jason Momoa. Other actors including Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, Brie Larson, and Tyrese Gibson got paychecks ranging from $1 million to $2.5 million.
While Diesel lauded the fanbase’s loyalty on Instagram and painted an optimistic picture, Universal’s concern over the possible financial aftermath of Fast 11’s production underlines the existing predicament.
The Fast 11 sequel is currently under development, with an anticipated release date set for April 4, 2025. Meanwhile, previous Fast & Furious movies are available for rent on AppleTV.
Confronted with financial constraints on one hand and Diesel’s ambitious vision on the other, the future of the Fast 11 project hangs in the balance. Whether Diesel can convince Universal to fund his mammoth project or whether he will have to make substantial economic compromises remains to be seen as negotiations continue.
