Universal Chief Regrets Sending Fast Furious Cast To Space

Donna Langley, NBCUniversal Studio Group and Chief Content Officer, publicly expressed regret over the 2021 scene in F9: The Fast Saga where characters Roman and Tej travel to the International Space Station in a rocket car, calling it a creative misstep that cannot be undone. This decision, though controversial, stemmed from the franchise’s evolution from simple car racing films to globe-trotting heist scenarios, a shift that initially expanded its global box office success. Langley credited star Vin Diesel's direct engagement with fans as influential in shaping the franchise’s direction, including major character arcs and revivals like Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty. Despite the backlash against the space scene and a gradual box office decline in recent installments, the franchise remains a huge financial success and is set to continue with Fast XII planned for 2026. Langley also highlighted Universal's approach to authentic fan engagement and the franchise’s organic inclusivity rooted in its origins in downtown L.A. car culture. The Fast & Furious series exemplifies how studios balance innovative storytelling with fan expectations, sometimes at the risk of stretching believability too far.