The Vin Diesel-driven franchise Fast & Furious 6 is a fine example of how Chinese audiences will still go to see a movie even weeks after it has opened elsewhere, as the whole experience of going to the theater has become part of China's social fabric. Chinese viewers may have seen the movie on pirate DVD or downloaded already, as it opened months after its U.S. premiere, but they were also happy to watch again for that theater buzz. The country's burgeoning car culture has also helped make the franchise a sure hit.
Guessing what the next title might be for any given Fast and Furious film is never an easy bet.
Universal Pictures has announced that the seventh installment in the venerable action franchise will be called Furious 7. Previously, the film had been referred to as Fast & Furious 7.
See more Vin Diesel Reveals First Look at Paul Walker in ‘Fast & Furious 7’
This will be the first film in the series to not use the word “Fast” in the title, although the films’ titles have taken on numerous variations in the past. The first sequel was 2 Fast 2 Furious, while the fourth film, Fast & Furious, got rid of any numbers and just went with the ampersand. Those were followed by 2011’s Fast Five and 2013’s Fast & Furious 6.
The new title announcement was made on the film’s Facebook page, where a new poster for the film was also revealed.
Director James Wan‘s film stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and Tyrese Gibson. Walker died during production, with his brothers stepping in to help complete some of his scenes.
Universal releases the film April 3, 2015.
Email: Ryan.Gajewski@pgmedia.org
Twitter: @_RyanGajewski
