The Fast and Furious franchise holds a special place in many hearts, but Universal Studios is setting some firm conditions before they commit to the series’ grand finale. The main sticking point, as reports suggest, is the movie’s notoriously hefty budget.
According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, more than two years after the release of Fast X, the next installment still lacks an official announcement, a firm release date, or even a finalized script. What’s more, many key cast members haven’t yet locked in their deals to return for the concluding chapter.
So, what’s causing the holdup? The current script reportedly calls for an eye-watering budget of around $250 million. Universal has apparently informed the filmmakers that production won’t get the green light until they slash expenses by a substantial 20%. This directive seems to stem from the performance of Fast X in 2023, which, despite a global box office of $705 million, was the franchise’s lowest-grossing film in over a decade, especially given its massive $340 million production cost.
The sequel, initially teased as Fast X: Part Two, was originally slated for a release this year. However, the film’s star, Vin Diesel, hinted last summer that we might not see it until April 2027, a date that remains unconfirmed by official sources.
During an appearance at Fuel Fest in Los Angeles last June, a gathering for car enthusiasts, Diesel spoke about the upcoming film. He recounted the studio’s request: “The studio said to me, ‘Vin, can we please have the finale of Fast and Furious in April 2027?’” Diesel shared with the crowd. “I said, ‘Under three conditions.’ First, is to bring the franchise back to L.A.! The second thing was to return to the car culture, to the street racing! The third thing was reuniting Dom and Brian O’Conner.”
Given that the beloved Paul Walker, who portrayed Brian O’Conner, tragically passed away, it’s unclear how Diesel intends to bring this iconic character back. Hopefully, this doesn’t involve digitally recreating his likeness, as that’s generally something audiences aren’t keen on.
Adding another layer of complexity is the question of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s potential involvement in the film. In January, Vin Diesel subtly addressed a past feud with Johnson. While presenting an award at the 2025 Golden Globes, Diesel joked, “Hey, Dwayne,” eliciting laughter from the audience. He later posted an older photo of them on Instagram with the caption “All love… Always,” appearing to smooth over the playful jab.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer. This analysis reflects insights from her reporting.