A very emotional Vin Diesel took the stage during Universal Pictures’ presentation at the 2015 CinemaCon in Vegas, thanking the National Association of Theater Owners for their support of the Fast and Furious franchise and in particular their support of Furious 7. Furious 7 set box office records and is Universal’s most profitable film, and Diesel spoke from the heart – not the teleprompter – while addressing the crowd at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace and discussing the film. Diesel said that the last time he was at CinemaCon it was with his brother Paul Walker when they announced the release date of Furious 7. Diesel recalled that the reception to that news made him giddy and excited to get back to work, and it gave him confidence that there was still box office support for the action franchise.
Diesel said that making Furious 7 felt special and it was a very personal movie for everyone involved. The cast are family and the audience recognizes that and feel as though they’re part of the family, too. And, Diesel confirmed the rumor that there will be a Furious 8. “I swear to you and my brother upstairs, we’re going to make the best movie you’ve ever seen.”
The eighth film of the blockbuster franchise will hit theaters on April 14, 2017. Diesel did not say anything about who will be returning or what fans of the series can expect, other than he believes the F&F films aren’t just movies – they’re a “movement.”
The Universal presentation also included the reveal of the theatrical release dates for the second and third Fifty Shades films. Chairman Donna Langley introduced a highlight reel of Fifty Shades of Grey footage and then announced Fifty Shades Darker will hit theaters on February 10, 2017. Fifty Shades Freed will arrive on February 9, 2018. Although Langley didn’t confirm any details on the Fifty Shades sequels, this week news arrived that author E.L. James’ husband Niall Leonard will be penning the script for Fifty Shades Darker. Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson will not be returning to the series.
-By Rebecca Murray
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