Actor Alan Ritchson, who appeared in Fast X, says the sequel Fast Forever is delayed because it’s too expensive to make. Here’s the latest story in a saga that’s already ground on for three years. Fast Forever, the forever-delayed sequel to Fast X, is still having behind-the-scenes problems with its budget. That’s according to actor ... Fast Forever delayed because it’s “too expensive” says star
Actor Alan Ritchson, who appeared in Fast X, says the sequel Fast Forever is delayed because it’s too expensive to make.
Here’s the latest story in a saga that’s already ground on for three years. Fast Forever, the forever-delayed sequel to Fast X, is still having behind-the-scenes problems with its budget.
That’s according to actor Alan Ritchson, who appeared as the character Aimes in 2023’s Fast X. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast (via World of Reel) the Jack Reacher star came to the subject of Fast Forever, and talked quite candidly about what he says are “obstacles” regarding how much the crash-heavy sequel is going to cost.
“…we have conversations all the time, I’m a big part of those conversations,” Ritchson said, presumably referring to Universal’s executives in the ‘we’ bit. “There’s just a lot of obstacles. It’s expensive to make – it’s too expensive. It doesn’t make a ton of sense.
“There’s a more efficient way to shoot those shows. And so there has to be a way to show restraint, while also honouring the fact that this world has expanded to something humongous. We are at the crossroads of something very hard to figure out, and everybody’s figuring it out.”
Ritchson isn’t saying anything revelatory here; it’s been reported for some time that, after spiralling costs and the loss of the original director saw Fast X’s budget soar past $378m, Universal has demanded that the sequel be made for less money.
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The eleventh film in the franchise has been delayed multiple times and several screenwriters have come and gone. But in more recent months, the hiring of screenwriter Michael Lesslie appeared to imply that Fast Forever was back on track.
There was also a bizarre moment earlier in July where star Vin Diesel appeared to imply that he was on the set of the film. It then turned out he was making some sort of World Cup promo that just happened to feature his character, Dominic Toretto.
What is surprising about Ritchson’s words is that Universal and Fast Forever’s producers are still going back and forth on the budget at this late stage. Its release is less than two years away; these are complex movies that have increasingly required location shooting and lots of effects work. If they want the film in cinemas for the 17th March 2028, the sequel’s makers will want to get filming sooner rather than later.
Still, Ritchson seems confident that Fast Forever will happen. “There’s going to be another one, and I think it’s going to be great,” he said. “It’s just a matter of solving some big problems.”
No rush, eh?
