Universal Pictures is reportedly unsure about moving ahead with an eleventh and final main film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
A new report at The Wall Street Journal has laid out just where things stand with the project – there’s no approved script, no release date, much of the cast haven’t signed deals to return, and no plans to move forward without significant budget cuts.
This contradicts Vin Diesel’s recent claims at FuelFest over the summer saying that Universal execs had “urged him” to deliver the next film by April 2027.
The paper says in actuality, executives at Universal aren’t even certain they’ll make the movie unless they and the filmmakers can find a way to produce it far more economically than the last installment.
While the films have grossed a total of $7.3 billion for the studio, the costs have become exorbitant.
2023’s “Fast X” grossed $705 million, the franchise’s lowest-grossing release in more than a decade, and off a rather insane budget of $340 million. Universal executives have reportedly told filmmakers they won’t make another one unless it costs around $200 million.
The most recent draft of the script reportedly would cost about $250 million to make, so a further $50 million needs to be shaved off.
Producer Neal Moritz tells the paper: “The only thing we’re focused on is making this a satisfying finale both creatively and financially.”
Even so, the paper highlights that the common refrain in Hollywood these days is “$700 million is the new $1 billion”, and the franchise needs to adjust to that economic reality.
