Original 'Fast and the Furious' returns to theaters in August
by Fred Topel · UPIJune 11 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures announced Thursday that it will re-release the original The Fast and the Furious in theaters. The re-release begins Aug. 21.
The 2001 film screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May with a cast reunion at the festival. It originally opened June 22, 2001.
The street racing film with a young cast surprised analysts by opening with $40 million and launching a franchise. The original film introduced Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, whose street racing gang was his family.
Paul Walker played Brian O'Connor, the undercover cop infiltrating Dom's gang. Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriguez were also original cast members. Rick Yune played the antagonist and has not appeared in subsequent films.
Diesel did not return for the sequel but had a cameo in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Diesel starred in the fourth through 10th movie, with an 11th on the way.
The spinoff The Fast and the Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw was released in 2019, between Fasts 8 and 9, featuring Dwayne Johnson's and Jason Statham's characters, introduced in Fast Five and the end credits tag of 6, respectively.
Universal Studios Hollywood is opening a Fast and the Furious roller coaster this summer and next year in Orlando.
Cannes: Vin Diesel, Gillian Anderson attend festival
Vin Diesel (C) is kissed by Jordana Brewster (R) and Michelle Rodriguez as they attend a photo call for "The Fast and the Furious" during the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 13, 2026. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo