Spoilers ahoy for Fast X from the outset, but you already knew that.
Any franchise that trundles on for as long as Fast & Furious while remaining so terrified of committing to the deaths of any major characters is always going to end up with an ensemble cast that runs the risk of swelling to bursting point, with Fast X inadvertently continuing the property’s newfound destination as the go-to retirement home for DCU cast-offs.
Having continually told anyone who asked that he was never going to make a return, the double-pronged failure of both DC League of Super-Pets and Black Adam has seen Dwayne Johnson renege on his word by making a “surprise” mid-credits comeback as Luke Hobbs, proving once and for all that not even The Rock can be trusted.
Meanwhile, with Wonder Woman 3 currently trapped in developmental limbo, Gal Gadot popped her head out of a submarine to say hello having been canonically dead for a decade to indicate that she too will side with Dominic Toretto and the family once more. Fast X also marks Helen Mirren’s first onscreen credit since Shazam! Fury of the Gods, while everyone is expecting Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to be Jason Momoa’s final outing as Arthur Curry, regardless of whether or not he gets recast as Lobo.
Even newcomer Alan Ritchson has plenty of previous with DC having been a recurring presence as Aquaman on Smallville, and Scott Eastwood’s sole contribution to the comic book company’s back catalogue was a forgettable part in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, never mind John Cena’s short-term future being plunged into doubt after James Gunn confirmed Peacemaker‘s second season was a long way away.
Cena’s The Suicide Squad alumni Daniela Melchior and Pete Davidson are in there, too, and when you take into account The Fast Saga‘s penchant for hiring hulking action heroes – a list that includes Johnson, Ritchson, Vin Diesel, and Jason Statham to name but four – would you really bet against deposed Superman Henry Cavill being recruited for the grand finale?
