Fast X director Louis Leterrier prioritized practical effects and real stunts when making the film. Beginning in 2001, the long-running Fast & Furious franchise is set to receive an anticipated two-part finale starting with Fast X this spring. After franchise regular Justin Lin dropped out as the Fast X director mere weeks into production due to creative differences, Leterrier stepped in to replace him, and it remains to be seen what the action director known for Transporter and The Incredible Hulk will bring to the series known for epic set pieces and increasingly insane stunts.
In a recent Empire piece revealing a new look at Fast X, Leterrier revealed some insight into how he tackled the franchise's tenth installment, including prioritizing practical effects and real stunts. After F9 famously (and somewhat controversially) took the franchise to space in a rocket-powered car, the Fast X director had a desire to bring the franchise back down to Earth. Read what he shared below:
I’m more practical than other directors, and I brought it back to earth. We went for real stunts, which we’re enhancing with visual effects. We shot in LA, London, Rio, Portugal. We blew up Hummers flying around Rome. There’ll be some iconic imagery in this one. You will see: as long as Dom Toretto is behind the wheel of a car, there’s nothing he cannot do.
The Fast & Furious Franchise Works Better With Practical Effects
The Fast X director expressing a preference for practical effects and real stunts demonstrates a strong understanding of what makes the film series work best. The Fast & Furious franchise really hit its stride in 2011 with Fast Five which, in addition to being when Dwayne Johnson joined the franchise, is when the movies developed a focus on practical stunt work. Past installments would frequently use CGI cars, which visually pale in comparison to practical stunts that use real cars.
Lin, who directed five films in the Fast & Furious franchise, was also a strong advocate for practical stunts over CGI cars. It's unclear what the specific creative differences were that caused Lin to exit Fast X, though it's reassuring to hear Leterrier maintaining a commitment to what makes the franchise great, even though practical effects are often complex logistically and expensive (the Fast X budget is reportedly around $340 million). While there is immense pressure to make the Fast & Furious franchise bigger and better with each installment (hence F9 going to space), Leterrier is instead bringing the franchise back down to Earth.
Leterrier's own vision and aesthetic can be seen in the first Fast X trailer and showcased during Super Bowl LVII. Plenty of exciting action sequences, as well as the franchise's new characters, will be on full display to build hype for the upcoming penultimate installment. If Leterrier's Fast X, which races into theaters on May 19, is a success, he could be asked back to direct the franchise's final film.
Source: Empire
