Fast X Director Reveals that [Spoiler’s] Upsetting Death Was His Idea

Fast X hit theaters this week, and for those who have watched the action film, you know what I will be talking about. For those who haven’t seen the film, I suggest you stop reading before I address the spoiler. Have you stopped reading? Well, this was your last warning – so move forward at your own risk.

Fast X director Louis Letterier confessed to EW that it was his decision to have Jakob Toretto die to save his nephew. The filmmaker explained that John Cena, who plays Dom’s brother in the franchise, was displeased after hearing that his character was going to bite the dust. 

Letterier explained the scenario and convinced the actor to do it for the character’s development arc. Read his full explanation for Jakob’s death below:

That was my idea. That’s one of the things I came up with early on. I’m like, ‘That man can be a badass but cannot be a bad guy. There’s no mean bone in his body. That’s why my interpretation of his character, as you saw, he’s quite different [from F9]. 

He is my interpretation of Uncle Jakob — he learns to be an uncle and care for someone when he felt he was never loved, and now he loves someone. He feels the love when Little B hugs him and says, ‘I love you, Uncle Jakob,’ when Mia tells him, ‘Protect him with your life,’ all that stuff.

I said to John [Cena], ‘You will have to sacrifice yourself to give the ultimate gift to your brother to save his son,’ and it upset him. I pitched him between two takes as I was over there resetting the camera. 

I pitched him this thing, and then he loved it. And that literally changed his performance because he understood where he was going. ‘I’m going to give so much love, so then the sacrifice really hurts.’ And it really does hurt.

Even though it was sad to see Jakob go, it makes sense that Letterier decided to end his tale that way. Dom has always been gung-ho about saving his family and protecting them with a fierce passion. Now, Jakob follows in his brother’s footsteps, saving who he loves most.

Jakob’s sacrifice for Little B after his sweet moments with his nephew in the film highlights just how much he’s changed and how he can go to great lengths to protect his family. Apart from that, Jakob’s death also paints a rather terrifying and lasting image of Jason Momoa’s villain.

Dante Reyes will return as the antagonist in the next instalment of the Fast & Furious franchise. His story of revenge and the extent he’ll go to get it are perfectly reflected when he asks Jakob if he can die to save his family. 

Dom and Dante really are two sides of the same coin, both saddled by family, but with one’s love corrupted by vengeance, and one’s steeled with the determination to protect, it’s easy to distinguish them. Jakob’s death solidifies the necessity for sacrifice to further the story, underline the villain’s cruelty, and help wrap a character with a great development arc.

Do you think the Fast X director made the right move in saying the final goodbye to Jakob and his journey in the Fast & Furious franchise so close to the end? Write down your thoughts in the comments below!

About Fast X

Fast X is an upcoming action film involving street racing directed by Louis Leterrier. The film is the tenth installment in the Fast And Furious franchise and is the first part in the two-part finale of the film series, collectively known as The Fast Saga.

The film stars an ensemble cast including Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jason Momoa, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, and Rita Moreno.

Fast X is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 19, 2023, by Universal Pictures. Its sequel, intended to be the main series’ final installment, is also in development.

Source: EW