In a move no one could’ve predicted, Vin Diesel and his Fast Family are heading to the 2021 Cannes Film Festival as F9, the ninth installment in this long-running franchise, is the “planetary blockbuster” previously teased for the festival.
Variety broke the story today that the blockbuster film would see its French premiere as part of a public screening during Cannes. While not in competition, this is still a fairly shocking move as the festival hosts some of the most brutal viewers. Audiences throughout Cannes history have booed Taxi Driver and Pulp Fiction, so a mainstream blockbuster like F9 is an interesting choice. Variety does note that the cast isn’t expected to attend.
This news comes weeks after Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux told Variety a “planetary blockbuster” would premiere at the festival. Many predicted Dune or Eternals, but no one made a call for F9. The film is already a box-office success, grossing over $250 million worldwide, including $203 million in China (as of June 6th). The Justin Lin-directed film will open in the US on June 25th.
The 73rd edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place between July 6th and July 17th.
Vin Diesel’s Dom Toretto is leading a quiet life off the grid with Letty and his son, little Brian, but they know that danger always lurks just over their peaceful horizon. This time, that threat will force Dom to confront the sins of his past if he’s going to save those he loves most. His crew joins together to stop a world-shattering plot led by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: a man who also happens to be Dom’s forsaken brother, Jakob (John Cena, The Suicide Squad).
The action hurtles around the globe—from London to Tokyo, from Central America to Edinburgh, and from a secret bunker in Azerbaijan to the teeming streets of Tbilisi. Along the way, old friends will be resurrected, old foes will return, history will be rewritten, and the true meaning of family will be tested like never before.
F9: The Fast Saga sees Justin Lin directing series veterans Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Sung Kang, Charlize Theron, and Helen Mirren, along with franchise newcomers John Cena (Bumblebee), Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders), Anna Sawai (Ninja Assassin), Vinnie Bennett (Ghost in the Shell), Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy), Cardi B (Hustlers), MMA fighter Francis Ngannou, and singer Ozuna.
