Initially, Matthew's plan was to make Fast & Furious parts four, five, and six into a cohesive trilogy. However, the story Justin Lin proposed had parts six and seven closely connected, featuring a pair of sibling antagonists. Specifically, in the sixth film, the smaller sibling causes trouble, leading the elder to seek vengeance in the seventh.
Matthew had seen the Fast & Furious series before, especially the seventh film, which left a deep impression due to Paul Walker's tragic passing. Even now, he remembered most of the storyline.
The script Justin Lin and Chris Morgan had developed had some minor changes, but the main storyline was quite similar to those original films.
Keeping the story's continuity was essential, so the film style needed to remain consistent.
This was one of the main reasons Matthew wanted Justin Lin to stay through the seventh film.
In terms of compensation, paying Justin Lin wasn't an issue for the franchise. Matthew was willing to offer $15 million plus a share of the box office as his fee.
Of course, Matthew wasn't the one directly negotiating these details; professionals were responsible for that.
If it didn't work out, they could look for another director.
Justin Lin thought briefly, then smiled wryly. "I didn't expect to get stuck directing my own story. If I'd known, I would've written a standalone story for the sixth film."
Matthew responded calmly, "The more success you have, the stronger your resilience for future risks."
He understood that Justin Lin not only wanted a break but was also interested in exploring other genres.
"Alright!" Justin Lin agreed, finding the compensation generous and knowing that Matthew, who had supported him and rarely interfered, was an unusual producer in the industry. "I'll finish the seventh film, then take my break."
He quickly asked, "Why change the villains from brothers to a brother and sister?"
Matthew had thought of this idea while reviewing the script, comparing it to what he remembered of the original films. After considering it, he found the concept workable.
"We've had one consistent problem in our two Fast & Furious films," Matthew said, "and that's that the villains aren't strong enough."
Justin Lin nodded, "That's why Chris Morgan and I specifically strengthened the antagonist in the script."
Matthew pointed to the script. "In part six, the villain is formidable—a British criminal with a powerful team. Though they're on the wrong path, they still embody a strong sense of 'family.' In the end, though, we take him down."
"Actually, I have an idea," Justin Lin suggested. "To emphasize the villain's strength, perhaps a family member of theirs could be sacrificed?"
Matthew couldn't help but think of Gal Gadot's character. In the sixth film, her character had fallen from a car and didn't appear in the seventh. However, he remembered seeing gossip about her involvement in Wonder Woman around the same time, which may have contributed to her scenes being cut.
Back then, Gadot's character, Gisele, was a minor role, but she was now nearly the lead female.
Killing off the main character of a commercial film needed to be handled with care; not every film could pull off a Titanic-style ending.
"Let's leave it for now," Matthew suggested after thinking it over. "We'll revisit the idea in the seventh film. If any actor leaves, we can write them a heroic exit."
There was plenty of room to adjust the story later on.
The racing family couldn't be maintained forever. With each sequel, the lead actors' fees would inevitably rise. Even Matthew and David Ellison would have to consider the financial risks of a cast with such high salaries.
Actors aren't their characters—they wouldn't just shout "family" and forget about increasing their paychecks.
After all, even the protagonist in Fast Five had to negotiate over profit-sharing in Rio.
At this point, Justin Lin brought the conversation back on track. "What about the female villain for the seventh film?"
"If the sixth villain is very powerful, wouldn't repeating that in the seventh film lead to franchise fatigue?" Matthew needed to consider this issue; without the emotional impact of Paul Walker's passing, the marketing and nostalgia effects would be significantly reduced. "Franchise fatigue could cause a steep drop in box office numbers."
"That's possible," Justin Lin admitted, recognizing Matthew's market insight far exceeded his own.
Matthew tapped his fingers on the armrest. "We need to give the audience something fresh and exciting."
Who would've thought that Fast & Furious 7 would be such a huge hit without Paul Walker? Many people went to see it because of the emotional tribute.
Similar to Heath Ledger's legacy, one shouldn't underestimate the impact of a posthumous tribute.
Having taken every precaution, Matthew believed the film would do well even if nothing happened to Paul Walker. In that case, they'd need a fresh selling point to boost interest.
Matthew thought back to Fast & Furious 7. Looking back, it was hard to be objective, especially with that memorable ending where you couldn't help but feel deeply that someone from the screen had truly left us.
The film handled it beautifully, allowing Paul Walker's character to say goodbye rather than depicting another tragic death.
What was the song that played? He wasn't particularly into English songs at the time, but he could still recall that emotional surge as the two cars drove onto separate paths when the music began.
It's said that even the most stoic people shed tears.
Fast & Furious 7 might not have been the series' best, but it was undoubtedly the most poignant.
While it leaned heavily into Hollywood's "posthumous marketing," the tribute to Paul Walker couldn't be ignored.
Think about the promotional power back then—not only regular moviegoers but even those who usually stuck to pirated copies had been compelled to visit theaters.
Matthew shook his head, clearing his mind of this fleeting emotion. "Let's make the older sibling seeking revenge a sister." He elaborated, "A striking, skilled, high-speed-driving female villain with a powerful presence!"
"Uh…" Justin Lin scratched his nose. "That sounds interesting."
"A female villain is unexpected and can bring a fresh perspective for the audience," Matthew continued, feeling increasingly confident in the idea. "What do you think?"
Justin Lin nodded. "We could try tweaking the script for the seventh film and see how it goes."
Matthew only laid out the concept. "You and Chris Morgan can discuss the character setup."
"With a female villain, we need a powerful actress who can carry the role," Justin Lin added, his mind racing. "And we still need a strong male actor for the sixth film's antagonist."
He glanced at Matthew. "Someone who doesn't look any less imposing than you."
Recalling his experience shooting G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Matthew replied, "I have someone in mind."
As the director, Justin Lin asked immediately, "Who?"
"Jason Statham," Matthew replied. "Over two years ago, I had a verbal agreement with him to star in an action film together."
"Great choice," Justin Lin agreed. "Jason Statham fits the character's profile well—he's even British, just like the antagonist."
Seeing Justin's look of understanding, Matthew realized that his ability to plan several steps ahead wasn't something everyone could do.
Matthew had probably been thinking about characters for Fast & Furious long before, securing Jason Statham in advance.
"I'll reach out to Jason Statham," Matthew said directly. "If he's willing to take the role, Justin… work closely with him and adjust the script accordingly."
Justin Lin nodded. "No problem." He then asked, "What about the actress?"
Though a popcorn film, the female antagonist role required a specific kind of presence. Most well-known actresses wouldn't fit the part, especially those with more artistic reputations, who might be disastrous in this kind of role.
Matthew already had someone in mind when he thought of changing the character. "I'll reach out to Charlize Theron and try to convince her to take the role."
"Excellent!" Justin Lin agreed again.
Though Theron had worked less frequently in recent years, Justin's impressions of her were strong. Her cold expression and commanding presence made her perfect for a revenge-driven villain, and her taller, more muscular build was also a natural advantage.
She was practically the template for a powerful female villain.
Suddenly, Justin realized a potential issue and asked, "What about the age difference and looks between Jason Statham and Charlize Theron?"
Matthew slapped his forehead, realizing he'd overlooked that detail. "Let's keep them as brother and sister instead."
With the rise of feminist themes, a plot where the big brother is incapacitated and relies on his younger sister for revenge fit the current narrative.
"What about the looks?" Justin Lin still seemed uncertain. "They don't really look alike."
Matthew waved his hand dismissively. "That's a minor issue."
This was film, after all. Siblings looking different was normal, unless they were identical twins. In most films, siblings didn't look particularly alike.
Besides, Jason Statham and Charlize Theron did share one thing: both had the allure of iconic screen presences.
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