SYNDICATE HYPE: A Word Or Two About Fast And Furious 7

Coming off of my experience with Fast And Furious 6 since watching it this past weekend, I have been wanting to write about this film, (as if, lol) and I really did not want to wait a whole week to post it for another Film Of The Week article. Thankfully and more likely than not, the film’s worldwide earnings and overall success, and a positive review virtually anywhere you look online have landed the film as one of the most lauded and celebrated films going into the summer of 2013.

I finally got to see the film for myself, and my heart still beats fast just thinking about it. The film delivered some of the most intense sequences and funniest of one-liners I have ever heard in a movie. There were cheers, heavy laughs and extensive howls at some of the most impeccable, major and defining moments virtually throughout the entire film. But most importantly, with the involvement of star/co-producer Vin Diesel, writer Chris Morgan and director Justin Lin, Fast And Furious 6 adds to its six-part story as one of the most memorable, action packed and character-driven film franchises to date.

That said, in addition to the casting of action star Jason Statham for Universal Pictures’ immediate development and production of Fast And Furious 7 from director James Wan, there are some pretty interesting names of people who have vocalized their high interest in being in the next film. As previously stated, martial arts action star Scott Adkins has tweeted his interest in having a role in the seventh installement opposite leading man Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in addition to industry action director Larnell Stovall, who recently tweeted:

“#Fast7 Dom vs Stath, Boyka vs Hobbs @TheScottAdkins @TheRock I would choreograph that fight for free!! (almost) #makehistory #makeithappen”

Some of Larnell’s work includes Undisputed 3: Redemption (pictured left) and Universal Soldier: Day Of Recknoning with Adkins, and his previous films with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Other Guys and Snitch. Larnell is also best known for his work on Mortal Kombat: Rebirth, Mortal Kombat Legacy Season 1 and 2, and the upcoming Mortal Kombat feature film, in addition to his work on director Ernie Barbarash’s next, Favela, as well as guest choreographer on the Indonesian sequel actioner, Berandal. Having Larnell direct action between Diesel, Johnson, and two of the biggest Brit kickers ever to deliver brutal action on film would be an action film fan’s wet dream come to life. And upon inheriting the reigns of action director from Olivier Schneider, the possibilities will continue to be endless on just how awesome it will be.

Moreover, if things go accordingly, we could definitely see a relative newcomer into the mainstream appearing with Adkins, Johnson, Stovall and crew in the form of Gui DaSilva-Greene, a 22-year old professional dancer, stunt performer, martial artist, screenfighter and actor from Harlem, NYC (my city) who will be making his appearance in several impressive projects coming down the pipline between now and next year. All things considered hypothetical until otherwise confirmed, I asked Gui what being in the next trilogy working with Stovall, Adkins, Johnson and Statham would mean for him. He said the following:

“…It has always been a goal of mine to be in the franchise. The fact that Dwayne Johnson, who is a major idol of mine since his days in the attitude era, is in it makes the dream even more big. Scott Adkins is amazing and shows to be one of the next gen martial arts action stars which is again a spot I hope to be categorized in one day. I know I have a lot of growth before I even would be considered as a name in the franchise when you think about the names involved. I would love to be that guy who fights Dwayne and actually puts up a fight because of the size difference and how I feel my movement can opposite his. Larnell has directed great fights and I feel he is definitely good at what he does… But I honestly wouldn’t care what the role is, I would just be stoked to meet and learn from the cast.”

I have reported about Gui before when he starred opposite martial arts actor Jimmy Chhiu in the short film, The Hunt, featured on the Flow Youtube channel. He is VERY talented, and he has the resumè and the footage to prove it. So, granted things work out and Fast 7 will come packaged with all these names listed, the third Fast And Furious trilogy will come fully loaded with not just fast cars, but hopefully, some of the fastest fists and feet to ever hit the film series since Joe Taslim and Gina Carano.

I don’t know about all of you, but coming off of Fast 6, Fast 7 already has money. I look forward to the July 11, 2014 release, when hopefully we will see all these folks unite on the big screen for one of the biggest film sagas in action movie history. And while, for all we know, this may be just a lot of hype in the long run, I sincerely wish for this cast list to come true in the months ahead.

QUESTION: Have you seen Fast 6 yet? And are you looking forward to Fast 7?

Lee B. Golden III

filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com | Web

Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!