Having been released wide on Friday, June 25, 2021, F9: The Fast Saga has grossed over $70,000,000 in its first weekend, according to The Numbers.
This represents the biggest opening weekend in 2021 so far, as viewers head back into cinemas in earnest.
Note however that the tentpole was first released internationally on May 21, 2021, and has grossed over $335,000,000, for a worldwide box office of over $405,000,000.
Note that China accounts for more than half of that total: over $215,000,000.
I interviewed Paul Ruta, an avowed Fast and Furious fan, about the appeal of the franchise (over $6.3B and counting!) by email.
Michael Korican: “What is the appeal of the Fast and the Furious franchise?”
Paul Ruta: “Pure escapism at its finest! To me, they are the ultimate thrill rides that allow me to just shut my brain off and smile as I watch the craziness that’s happening on the screen. I love, admire and appreciate all different genres of films but when I think of the absolute basics of what I want to see in a movie — every Fast and Furious ticks all the boxes: Fast cars, Great action, Big muscles, Hot babes, Explosions, Compelling (somewhat) story and Likeable characters. And speaking of characters — I think this is really the foundation of the big appeal of these films as they’ve always been about: family. These characters started out very rooted in reality and that made them a lot more relatable in watching as the series went along and they eventually started doing more “super-hero” level feats of strength in some of the later entries. Often when people think of their “family”, whether they are blood related or not (which a lot of the characters in the films are actually not) — they feel love. And that’s exactly what these characters feel for one another in this franchise and what the filmmakers and production team involved feels for the stories being told — as it always comes across evidently on screen that everyone is always having fun in these and that they in turn want the audience to be having fun too.”
M.K: “Who’s your favourite character and why?”
P.R.: “I’d have to say Brian O’Connor who is portrayed on screen by the late Paul Walker. The first few movies (1, 2, 4 and 5) are really sort of told through mostly I find through his point of view — and I can easily empathize with a lot of the dilemmas his character is presented with and goes through, which in turn provides a lot of the original emotional investment a lot of people made in the beginning with the series. It’s one of those characters where you never felt like there was necessarily so much acting going on as Paul played and fit that role, in that world, perfectly. I think that was maybe one of the big reasons why it felt so tragic to so many when he passed years ago — because it sort of felt like we lost the character in our lives also. The movies since his passing have really noticeably missed his presence — but I don’t think there could’ve ever been a better, more respectful or more touching sendoff to a character than how they handled his exit from the franchise in the 7th film.”
M.K: “Did Vin Diesel change his last name so he could headline an automotive franchise?”
P.R.: “Hah! Perhaps after the “final” scheduled 10th and 11th films there might be a way to infuse his “stage” name into a variety of automotive products to keep the legacy of the franchise going. However, I think that legacy will still be alive and well regardless of when the series does eventually end (or not…) or if there does end up being “Diesel approved Diesel Oil” — because the films themselves will all be shared throughout the families of everyone who grew up with and loved these films for generations to come.”
M.K: “What’s up between Vin Diesel and The Rock?”
P.R.: “It’s a classic good ol’ testosterone-fueled battle of muscle-bound, bald-headed egos. Vin is an ultra-big movie star, however The Rock is an even bigger ultra-big movie star. That being said, Vin was there first in starring in the first Fast and Furious therefore making him the foundation of this series. And because of this, this is the one set that The Rock doesn’t call the shots on. Any other film franchise that these two would be in — it’d be the other way around where Vin would be The Rock’s coffee boy (relatively speaking.) However, it’s Vin’s loyalty (another recurring theme throughout) to these films (and the right timing!) that’s allowed him to be the big dog on campus and everyone involved and the audience recognizes, knows and understands that we wouldn’t have had the awesome 20 years of Fast and Furious we’ve experienced so far if it wasn’t for the spark that Vin brought to the scene in the first place. The movies can of course continue both without The Rock and Vin in them, but Vin is the glue that held this together from the start and therefore — The Rock needs to know his role when he’s in Vin’s world.”
M.K: “Will you see F9 at the cinema or online?“
P.R.: “Oh most definitely on the big cinema screen for sure!!! I’ve seen every one so far since the 1st back in 2001 20 years ago — and I was worried this might have been the first one I’d miss seeing at the theatres this year as I wasn’t sure they’d be back open yet here.”
My take: Thanks, Paul! Vox also explains the franchise.