Jordana Brewster reflected on the legacy of the 'Fast & Furious' franchise as it arrived at the Cannes Film Festival for a special 25th anniversary salute. The actor, who plays Mia Toretto, called the moment “super validating” and “a little bittersweet” as she prepared to reunite with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, producer Neal H. Moritz, and Meadow Walker, daughter of the late Paul Walker, for a midnight screening of 'The Fast and the Furious.'
Jordana Brewster on Fast and Furious Cannes Tribute
Speaking to Variety in Cannes, Brewster said the festival tribute carried deep emotion because Meadow Walker would represent her father, who died in 2013. “I was reading the itinerary and realized that Meadow was standing in for Paul,” Brewster said. “That’s going to be beautiful.”
The Cannes event was Diesel’s idea. He had wanted to bring the franchise to the French Riviera for years and finally made it happen ahead of the film’s 25th anniversary in June. Brewster said revisiting the 2001 film made her nostalgic and showed her why the story still connects.
“What was so beautiful about the first one is that every character was fleshed out,” she said. “It’s really hard to do in an ensemble piece, and I think that’s what’s allowed its longevity. Every person relates to a different character.”
Brewster also joked that the only dated part was “carjacking trucks for TV-DVD players.”
Fast Forever and Paul Walker Tribute
Brewster said Mia remains the franchise’s moral center. “She’s grounded. That’s a really important element to have in the franchise, because things can spin off in all directions,” she said.
Diesel recently revealed at the NBCUniversal upfront presentation in New York that 'Fast Forever,' the 11th and expected final movie, will release in March 2028. He also announced a new 'Fast & Furious' television show for Peacock.
“For the last decade, we have realized that the fans have wanted more,” Diesel said. “They wanted us to expand the legacy characters, their stories… And I had to wait till it was right.”
Brewster said she would enjoy a show that follows Mia and her children. “It’d be fun to have me and my two kids, and they’re getting into all kinds of trouble — it’s almost like karma,” she said.
She also credited Diesel for supporting her return in 'Fast X' after Mia was missing from an early draft. “Vin is really my brother,” she said. “He’s been so loyal for the entire franchise.”
Brewster said honoring Walker in the final film remains important. She hopes Brian O’Conner is shown or remembered as part of the team’s victory, keeping his legacy central to the ending.
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