F9 - Everything You Need to Know

(Updated 04/14/2021)

Vin Diesel's character Dominic Toretto likes to say he lives his life a quarter-mile at a time, but that doesn't explain the amazing longevity and success of THE FAST SAGA, which continues this year with F9. What began as a single movie about the world of illegal street racing in Los Angeles has become one of the biggest movie franchises ever made. It would take more quarter miles than we're willing to count to calculate how many times these movies have circled the globe.

Of course, what we love about the FAST SAGA movies is the characters, the cars, the action, and, of course, the commitment to family. Here's everything you need to know about F9, the latest entry in the high-octane series — starting with the absolutely over-the-top new trailer!

The F9 Release Date

F9 was originally set to open on May 22. That date was pushed a couple of times, however, and F9 will now open on June 25, 2021.

Watch the F9 Trailers!

[Image credit: Universal Pictures]

The first F9 trailer arrived in January 2020 as part of a huge concert event in Miami, Florida. The film's cast was in attendance for performances by Cardi B, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth, Ozuna, and Ludacris.

We only have one thing to say: What a trailer! It's four minutes long, which is more than enough time to reveal that John Cena plays Dom's estranged younger brother, that Charlize Theron's Cypher is back — with new hair! — and that there will indeed be justice for Han. Need we say more?

[Image credit: Universal Pictures]

Yes, in fact we should say more! Because the second full F9 trailer is full of action, brotherly conflict, magnets (yes, really) and even a jet-powered car that takes the FAST cast one step closer to their obvious final destination: Space.

The F9 Filmmakers

Justin Lin began as a noted independent filmmaker; the first movie he made as a solo director, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, premiered at Sundance in 2002. In 2006, Lin directed THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, which moved the FAST SAGA action to Tokyo, introduced fan-favorite character Han Lue (Sung Kang, above) and essentially injected nitro into a series that was in danger of stalling out.

Lin went on to make the fourth, fifth, and sixth films in the series — which is to say that he presided over THE FAST SAGA's ascent to billion-dollar status. Now he returns to direct F9; you can see why expectations are high. This movie also features a new screenwriter. Chris Morgan has written every movie in the series from TOKYO DRIFT on, but his work on FAST AND FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW prevented him from fully committing to F9. So Daniel Casey (KIN) was brought in to script with Justin Lin.

What's the F9 Story?

For a long time, the F9 story was kept under wraps. It's remarkable how little the public knew about this new movie until the first trailer dropped. The quick and spoiler-free info is that Cypher has teamed up with Dom's little brother to strike back at Dom and his family.

Far more important is that Han (Sung Kang) has returned! Past films revealed that Han's death in TOKYO DRIFT was caused by Jason Statham's character Deckard Shaw. When Shaw was accepted into the film's makeshift family, fans demanded justice for Han — and the F9 trailer explicitly promises exactly that, at long last. How is Han back? We don't know! (He's got to be a clone, right?)

Finally, Vin Diesel has said that F9 will lead directly into the tenth film, which might also be the end of the series. If Han is back, does that mean that Paul Walker's character Brian will also return? Whatever happens, we're ready to be surprised!

The Cast of F9

Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez are obviously in the FAST cast, reprising the roles of Dom and Letty. But who else is back? Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, and Helen Mirren all return. The fact that Brewster (above) is back has aroused our curiosity since her character was married to Brian, played by the late Paul Walker. She hasn't been seen since the end of FURIOUS 7.

Those aren't the only returning players, either! Lucas Black is back to play his character Sean Boswell, originally introduced in THE FAST & THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, is on hand, as are his co-stars Bow Wow and Jason Tobin, who return to play Twinkie and Earl Hu.

There are many newcomers to the F9 team, too. John Cena makes his debut in the series, as does Michael Rooker (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY). Finn Cole, Anna Sawai, and Vinnie Bennett are in the cast, as is MMA fighter Francis Ngannou. And if you think that Ozuna and Cardi B performing at the trailer reveal concert was just a coincidence — nope! They're in F9, too.

All of which adds up to one of the best crews ever to appear in this storied series. How will they be tangled up in heists, car chases, family dynamics, and global espionage? We'll find out in May!

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All images courtesy of Universal Pictures.