Fast Forever Director Weighs on Franchise’s Budget Issues

Fast Forever is still moving forward, but the film is facing a major industry challenge. Director Louis Leterrier has opened up about why the next Fast & Furious film is taking longer than expected. Well, the delay is not about the story. Instead, the team is working to make the movie fit today’s changing box office.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter while promoting his Netflix sci-fi thriller The Last House, Leterrier confirmed his commitment to directing the final chapter of the main saga. While waiting for pre-production to align, he has stayed busy by directing other projects.

“I love Fast. I worked very hard in coming up with the idea for the end and everything. I was so lucky to be a part of the franchise. So I can’t wait, but I also cannot wait. Directors don’t idle well, so I have to direct,” Leterrier shared.

“I’m contracted. If we go, we go. We’re lucky to be having a great year [at the box office], but it’s different now. Movies have evolved, and tastes have evolved, and the box office has evolved. So we have to align our budgetary needs to the reality of the box office. We know that, and it’s fine. Everybody does that. It’ll be fine,” he added while reaffirming his commitment.

What else do we know about Fast Forever?

Fast Forever will pick up where Fast X left off. It is expected to serve as the final chapter of the main Fast & Furious franchise. Vin Diesel is expected to return, along with several familiar cast members, although Universal Pictures has not confirmed the full cast.

Before Leterrier, Alan Ritchson shared similar thoughts about the sequel. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said the film’s growing scale has made it harder to balance the budget. The actor said,

“There has to be a way to show restraint while also honoring the fact that this world has expanded to something humongous. That gets very difficult; now we’re at the crossroads of something very hard to figure out.”

Fast Forever is currently scheduled to hit theaters on March 17, 2028.