By this point, the seemingly never-ending success of the Fast & Furious franchise has been well-documented. The series has seen its ups and downs, sure, but it still has quite a dedicated fanbase. However, it's longevity was recently questioned, and longtime series star Ludacris has a blunt response for those wondering. The rapper and actor didn't hold back in expressing his thoughts during a recent chat, and they were as explicit as they were honest. The “Act a Fool” even says that when some ask why actors would still show up for the series, it constitutes “the dumbest fucking question” that could be asked.
The entertainer was one of the most recent guests to appear on All The Smoke with Matt Barnes And Stephen Jackson. It was there that he was hit with the ultimate question: Why do the FF cast members keep returning for more? According to him, the answer is simple: it has everything to do with that “bottom line.” He told the hosts:
That's the dumbest fucking question in the world. I'm going to tell you why. Because no matter what industry we're in; podcasts, music, movies - it's all about a bottom line. It's all about how much you spend compared to how much you make. We're making billions of fucking dollars. Bro, and I'm saying that like, I'm giving you my heart. I'm not trying to brag or nothing. So when you say - when some of ya'll keep saying, 'Why the fuck do ya'll keep shooting these movies?' Let me tell you why. 'Cause if you spend $200 million and you make a billion, who the fuck is going to tell you to stop shooting the movies when you making 800 muthafuckin' million dollars. How?
The long-running iP, born in 2001 as a humble street racing film, has become an unstoppable global blockbuster sensation. Though the FF series' timeline might need some explanation, starting with Fast Five, it has undergone a remarkable transformation. And in the process, it's solidifying its position as one of the most significant and arguably best action movie franchises worldwide.
The latest installment, Fast X, roared onto the scene and quickly raced to the top of the box office, hauling in a respectable $67.5 million domestically during its opening weekend. Despite previous plans for the penultimate and upcoming ultimate chapter of the series, Vin Diesel recently teased a potential trilogy to wrap things up. All in all, the franchise shows no signs of pumping the brakes when it comes to box office success. With each new film, audiences are treated to adrenaline-fueled action, mind-blowing stunts and a star-studded ensemble, making it a massive cash cow for Universal Pictures.
Ludacris cemented his place in the Fast & Furious family with his appearance in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, so he has had a front-row seat to the series' transformation over the past years. Recently the musician was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where he expressed gratitude for the series that has changed his life.
The movies consistently rake in enormous profits and boast a devoted fan base, so it's no surprise that the franchise keeps racing forward. While there may be skeptics wondering if more Fast movies are necessary, the Hustle and Flow star previously expressed that he doesn’t mind the series ending. Yet his straightforward reply serves as a reminder that, in the world of entertainment, financial success speaks volumes.
Fast X raked in an impressive $387 million at the global box office in its first week. This achievement positions the film well within the franchise rankings. However, it faces stiff competition from Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, which has been dominating the Memorial Day weekend. Adding to the challenge, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 continues to draw audiences with its enduring popularity. With an insane budget of $340 million, the latest Fast movie still has some ground to cover in order to solidify its place among the franchise's most successful installments. But if you ask Ludacris, he'd probably say that he and his colleagues are sitting pretty as is.
You can see Fast X in theaters now, and check out our schedule of 2023 new movie releases to plan your next trip to the cinema.
