Fast & Furious 12: A Return to Roots Highlights the Flaws in Fast X’s Ending

Fast & Furious’ future after Fast & Furious 11 hints at a return to basics for the franchise, which highlights the problem with Fast X’s ending and the movie as a whole. Described as the first of a two-part finale, Fast X was heavily promoted as the beginning of the end of Dominic Toretto’s story. One of Fast X’s biggest selling points was the film’s cliffhanger ending, which would lead right into Fast 11, or Fast X, Part 2.

Vin Diesel as Dom Toretto driving in Fast X

Fast X’s ending indeed included a major cliffhanger – the fate of Toretto and his son after Dante Reyes blew up everything around them. Still, with Fast & Furious 11’s release date most likely moving to 2026, much of the momentum that Fast X’s cliffhanger was supposed to create is gone. Additionally, the large Fast X cast, combined with everything the film left unresolved, means Fast & Furious 11 could be an even more convoluted movie than its predecessor. Interestingly, Fast & Furious may have finally decided to take a step back in terms of scale, but not until after Fast 11.

Fast & Furious’ Future Movies May Bring The Franchise “Back To The Streets”
Fast & Furious’ future after Fast 11 is unclear

Although Fast X, Part 2 has yet to start filming, NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman and Chief Content Officer Donna Langle’s latest comment on the franchise suggests future installments will bring the series back to its roots. According to Langle (via Variety), Fast & Furious“may pivot another time and bring it back to the streets of L.A. and maybe make it a more intimate story.” It’s unclear what the studio’s plans for the Fast & Furious franchise after Fast X, Part 2 are, but any future films will likely see a tone shift compared to Fast X.

Vin Diesel in Fast X against a Los Angeles backdrop

Where we go next is a question. We may pivot another time and bring it back to the streets of L.A. and maybe make it a more intimate story.

The most expensive Fast & Furious movie to date, Fast X reportedly had a production budget of $340 million. This explains why, despite having grossed over $714 million at the worldwide box office, Fast X was not as big of a hit as previous installments like Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious. Fast X proved that Fast & Furious had become too big for its own good, both cost-wise and from a story perspective. The earnestness and heart that made the first films so special had now been replaced by non-stop action and superhero-level third-act battles.