While it may not be the final installment in the Fast and Furious franchise, Fast X will surely be the biggest entry after new reports point to a record-breaking budget that elevates Dominic Toretto and company to Avengers levels of spending.
It was only last year when the Fast and Furious latest release, F9, helped kick the movie industry into gear by generating $726.3 million in box office revenue on a $200M budget just as theaters were opening again after being hit by the pandemic. Just like every other Fast and Furious movie before it, F9 had no problems clearing the net profits mark, but thanks to an expanding cast with more famous names, next year’s movie could face more of an uphill battle.
According to reports from The Wrap, Fast X has seen its budget climb up to $340M. This is due to the salaries of all its stars, rising production costs due to global inflation, and added logistics such as COVID testing and other safety protocols. That number would make Fast 10 the fourth-costliest movie ever made, right behind Avengers: Endgame ($356m), Age of Ultron ($365m), and the all-time reigning champion, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides ($379m).
Besides the well-known faces of Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, and Tyrese Gibson, the cast includes more recent addictions like Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren, John Cena, and Cardi B. Fast X will also welcome newcomers Brie Larson and Jason Momoa for what is a bloated wage bill. Fast 10 will be the first segment of a two-part finale for the franchise, so it’s anyone’s guess how much the last movie will cost.
Suffice it to say, if F9 managed to be a success during what has arguably been the worst time for movie theaters in cinema history, the hype behind Fast X should guarantee profitability. After all, every single one of the films that surpass its projected expenses had no problems drawing viewers, plus the $340M is somewhat alleviated once rising inflation is factored in.
It’s still unclear where French director Louis Leterrier's Fast X will take the world’s most successful car mechanic this time, but the franchise’s end will probably signal a new era for Universal Studios, especially now that its other blockbuster saga Jurassic World has wrapped for good.
Fast X is scheduled for release on May 19, 2023.
Source: The Wrap