Let's be real for a second. By the time the tenth Fast and Furious movie rolled around, we all knew the drill. Corona beers, endless speeches about "family," and cars doing things that would make Isaac Newton weep. The franchise was coasting. It was getting a bit... heavy? Maybe even a little too serious for a series that literally sent a Pontiac Fiero into orbit.
Then Jason Momoa showed up.
When the news first broke that the Aquaman star was joining Fast X, people figured he’d be another hulking meathead for Vin Diesel to rumble with. We expected another Hobbs or a younger, grittier version of a Shaw brother. Instead, Momoa gave us Dante Reyes—a lavender-wearing, nail-painting, chaotic bisexual peacock who seemed to be having more fun than everyone else in the theater combined.
Honestly, he didn't just play the villain. He hijacked the entire movie.
The Retcon That Actually Worked
Usually, when a franchise says, "Hey, remember that guy from four movies ago? This is his son," we roll our eyes. It’s a classic "asspull," as some fans on Reddit have affectionately called it. But Fast X did something clever. They went back to the vault of Fast Five—arguably the peak of the series—and digitally inserted Dante into the iconic bridge heist.
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It turns out Dante was right there when Hernan Reyes got wiped out. He watched his father die. He spent the next twelve years stewing in that trauma, but instead of turning into a brooding monk, he turned into a flamboyant agent of chaos. It’s the kind of revenge story that feels personal because we, the audience, were "there" too.
Why Dante Reyes Is the Anti-Dom
The contrast between Momoa and Diesel is hilarious. You’ve got Dom Toretto, who speaks in low-frequency grunts and treats every backyard BBQ like a sacred religious rite. Then you’ve got Dante, who dances ballet while blowing up the Vatican.
Momoa’s performance is built on a "push-pull" duality. One minute he’s laughing like a maniac, and the next, he’s showing the deep, jagged pain of a man who lost his entire world. Director Louis Leterrier has mentioned that this was a deliberate choice. Momoa didn't want to play him "dark and angry." He wanted Dante to be inviting—until you get too close. Like the devil in a pastel silk shirt.
The Power of Pure Improvisation
A lot of what made Dante so weirdly magnetic wasn't even in the script. Did you know the scene where he’s painting the toenails of two corpses was almost cut? It was too dark, too "out there" for a PG-13 car movie. But test audiences loved it because it was so genuinely unhinged.
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Momoa also improvised one of the most disgusting-yet-funny moments in the film. During his big fight with Dom, he actually pulled out his own molar (okay, it was a prop, but based on a real cracked tooth he had) and threw it at Diesel. He wanted Dante to be a guy who enjoys getting hit. It’s terrifying. If you're fighting a guy and he starts giggling when you punch him in the face, you’ve already lost.
The Future: What Happens in Fast 11?
Now, here’s the tricky part. We are currently in early 2026, and the wait for the next chapter is getting a bit long. Fast X ended on a massive cliffhanger—Dom and his son are trapped at the bottom of a dam rigged with explosives, and half the "family" just got blown out of the sky.
As of right now, things are a bit up in the air:
- The Script Situation: Jason Momoa recently admitted he hasn't even seen a script for the next one yet.
- Release Dates: Originally slated for 2025, it’s now looking more like a Spring 2027 release to mark the 25th anniversary of the franchise.
- The Character Evolution: Leterrier has promised that Dante will "truly evolve" in the next film. He’s not going to be the same guy twice.
There's a lot of chatter about whether Dante will eventually "pull a Deckard Shaw" and join the family. Personally? I hope not. The series needs a true, irredeemable monster. You can't really invite a guy to the BBQ after he tries to murder your child and blows up half of Rome.
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How to Get Ready for the Finale
If you're looking to brush up on your lore before the 2027 finale, don't just rewatch Fast X. Go back to Fast Five. Watching the bridge sequence again with the knowledge that Dante is "just off-camera" makes the whole thing feel way more intense.
Also, keep an eye on the rumored Hobbs & Reyes spin-off. That post-credits scene with Dwayne Johnson wasn't just for show. The rivalry between Dante and the man who actually pulled the trigger on his father is the real "main event" we're waiting for.
Whatever happens, Momoa saved this franchise from becoming a parody of itself by leaning into the parody. He reminded us that these movies are supposed to be wild.
If you want to track the latest updates on the production timeline, your best bet is to follow the trades like Variety or Deadline closely over the next six months. Production for the final film will need to start by mid-2026 if they want to hit that 2027 window.