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Fast X: Why is Fast and Furious ending?

L to R: Vin Diesel and Daniela Melchior in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Vin Diesel and Daniela Melchior in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier (Universal)

It is the beginning of the end of the Fast and Furious franchise as Fast X screeches its way into cinemas today.

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and the family have one final journey to make in the two-part final arc of the iconic series.

The first will introduce new villain Dante (Jason Momoa), the son of Fast Five villain Hernan Reyes, who has teamed up with Cipher (Charlize Theron) against the gang.

Why is Fast and Furious coming to an end?

Diesel first confirmed that the franchise would end in June 2021, when he was promoting the previous film F9’s release, and the news came as a shock to longtime fans.

Read more: Fast X: The story of Fast and Furious so far

The Fast Saga began in 2001 with The Fast and the Furious that starred Diesel alongside Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, and the late Paul Walker.

The action film has spawned a further nine films, and a Hobbs and Shaw spin-off, and the saga is expected to end in 2025 with the eleventh film in the franchise.

Jason Momoa is Dante in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Jason Momoa is Dante in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier

Diesel has previously explained that he felt it was the right time to bring the saga to a close because “every story deserves its own ending.”

In an interview with Associated Press in July 2021 he remarked that F9 would be followed by a two-part conclusion, and he said: “I know people are going to feel like it doesn’t have to end, but I think all good things should,” he said. “There are reasons for a finale. I think this franchise has deserved it.”

In an interview with Vulture, Diesel reiterated this sentiment when he said of the saga: “The finale comes because every good story needs a finale; because every book that you’ve read has a last chapter; because that’s the nature of storytelling. I’m sure that there are people that would love for Fast to continue on and on and on and on.

“The universe, the Fast Universe, will do that, clearly, and there’ll be different iterations of stories and different story lines that are played out within the future.

Vin Diesel is Dom in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Vin Diesel is Dom in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier

“But in terms of this mythology, I think we owe it to the fans — even though I suspect it’ll feel bittersweet to a lot of people — to give them the finale.”

Read more: Fast and Furious: All 10 movies ranked from worst to best

However, at the premiere for Fast X in Rome on Friday, May 12, Diesel hinted that the saga’s last act may be extended to three films rather than end with two.

In an interview on the red carpet, Diesel said of the saga coming to an end: “It’s a really good question. As filmmakers though, you want to allow people to enjoy the film without tipping the hat too much.

“I can say this, going into making this movie, the studio had asked if this could be a two-parter, and after the studio saw Part 1, they said, ‘Could you make Fast X, the finale, a trilogy?’”

No official announcement has been made about the saga extending as yet, but it may well suggest that there is more in store for Dom and the gang.

Watch the trailer for Fast X

How will the Fast saga come to an end?

Given Fast X is the first of two parts it stands to reason that Momoa's Dante will prove a terrifying villain, one that is so tough that the whole family will need to come together to fight him.

In terms of what fans can expect from the franchise’s ending, Fast X director Louis Leterrier promised that it would be “truly surprising” for viewers. In a world where driving a car through space is possible that certainly feels like a difficult challenge to set for themselves.

Leterrier said in an interview with Collider that what they focused on in making Fast X was “planting the right seeds” for a satisfying conclusion.

Read more: Actors who quit movie franchises only to return

Though he did not specify plot lines, he shared: “What I can tell you is that we know exactly where the franchise ends today. We know where we're ending.

L to R: Vin Diesel and Director Louis Leterrier on the set of FAST X
Vin Diesel and Director Louis Leterrier on the set of Fast X. (Universal)

“The roads we're going to take are going to be different, but we know where it all ends, and I know as a fan it's both sort of satisfying and truly surprising.

“As you know, fan service is tricky because you want to deliver the right thing, but you wanna surprise the people, you don't want to give them exactly what you know everybody's expecting the Fast & Furious franchise, where it's going to end up.”

Even if Leterrier is keeping plot details close to his chest, let's be honest, fans all know how the saga should end – with a family barbeque and an ice cold Corona.

Fast X is out in cinemas now.