Everybody thought "2 Fast 2 Furious" sank the "Fast" franchise for good in 2003. Vin Diesel turned down $25 million to return to the series so he could go off and make another franchise ("xXx") with director Rob Cohen. Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster were out. Even Ja Rule turned down half a million dollars to reprise his role. One thing the sequel did have though: Academy Award nominated director John Singleton. Bringing along his "Baby Boy" breakout, Tyrese Gibson, Singleton steered the Fast franchise into new candy-colored terrain, introducing vital characters and elements to the franchise that would pay off in the next decade. Were critics and audiences too harsh in their criticisms? How did Ludacris' mechanic character turn into a super-hacker several movies later? What would the franchise have looked like if Eva Mendes fulfilled the Gal Gadot role in future installments? And is the casting of Cole Hauser as an Argentinian drug lord so insanely weird that it defies cultural appropriation? We're joined by critic, writer and Fast Fanatic Logan Kenny to answer these important questions.
"2 Fast 2 Furious" is streaming now on HBOMax.
