The Fast Saga may be speeding toward the finish line — but its biggest challenge yet isn’t a new villain or a death-defying stunt, it’s the pennies down the side of the sofa. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Fast & Furious 11 (sometimes referred to as Fast X: Part 2) doesn’t yet have a locked script or release date. And what’s worse, Universal executives have made it clear they won’t move forward unless the film can be produced “far more economically” than its predecessor.

The numbers tell the story. Fast X cost a staggering $340 million to make, with pandemic delays and a mid-production director swap pushing the budget to franchise-record highs. Despite grossing $705 million worldwide, the movie “barely” turned a profit, insiders say. For the finale to go ahead, Universal is demanding a budget closer to $200 million — a steep $140 million cut.

At this summer’s FuelFest auto-racing festival, Vin Diesel hyped fans up by declaring he’d only return under three conditions: to bring the series back to Los Angeles, refocus on street racing, and reunite Dominic Toretto with Brian O’Connor (the late Paul Walker’s character). “That is what you’re gonna get!” Diesel shouted to roaring cheers.

Behind the scenes though, it isn’t as simple as that, because sources say the current draft of the script would cost around $250 million to make, and filmmakers are “scrambling” to trim at least $50 million. Ideas on the table include scaling back globetrotting, cutting or shrinking roles for some returning cast members, and reducing the number of over-the-top stunts that have become a hallmark of the series. These would all actually be welcomed by fans, who are keen to see a “back to basics” movie set in the world of Los Angeles street racing.

Why Are Fast and Furious Movies So Expensive?

The cast, quite simply. The Fast fambly is enormous at this point and each supporting actor is pulling in between $2–10 million depending on their importance, while Diesel pulls in over $25 million per film — and that’s before factoring in his producer credit, which he’s held since Fast & Furious (2009). Add in new A-listers like Jason Momoa and Charlize Theron, plus complicated stunt sequences and VFX, and the price tag skyrockets.

Producer Neal Moritz emphasized that the focus is “making this a satisfying finale both creatively and financially.” But Universal is already exploring the road ahead. Plans include potential TV projects, character-specific spin-offs, and even smaller, stripped-down films that could bring the series back to its 2001 roots. But for now, the franchise is at a crossroads and the road looks bumpy.

via Collider