When previously talking about the latest installment of the franchise, director Louis Leterrier wants fans of the Fast and Furious franchise to know that this recent film is unlike any of the other films in the franchise. He said:

“I mean, ‘Star Wars’ is a different thing, but I feel like here you know where it ends. Plus, also taste-wise, I know what I love about the franchise and what I want to push forth. So I was very much about that, about characters, about bringing back the reality, bringing back the cars and the racing, and all that stuff. Yeah, I agree with Michelle [Rodriguez]. Don’t go to see this movie like any regular ‘Fast and Furious’ movie. The emotion will not be the same.”

The director went on to talk about the cliffhanger ending of the film, saying:

“It really ends on a cliffhanger. But I would have not accepted, I think no one would’ve accepted this, had we not gone all the way to the end of the franchise. What we’ve got, as we were on set, is basically understanding where this franchise will end. Then, because we know that, we’re able to not only create this cliffhanger, but also seed all the elements that we’re going to need to fully arc out this whole franchise. And on what we hope is going to be a very satisfying ending. Sad, but satisfying. Then, we’re able to do all that stuff, because we knew where we were going. If you don’t know where you’re going, it’s impossible. I never understand how movies can be greenlit without that. I’m like, okay, you’re heading towards a catastrophe.”

We’ll just have to wait and see how the upcoming films in the franchise turn out. I don’t expect them to get any better, but we’ll see.