Fast X Brings Brian Back
Written by on May 30, 2023
WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Fast X, now playing in theaters.
In the Fast & Furious series — and in Hollywood in general — one of the biggest tragedies has been Paul Walker’s death in 2013. He lost his life in a car accident, which resulted in Furious 7 stalling and the film series eventually moving on by placing his character, Brian O’Conner off-screen. Since then, he’s been mentioned, seen in photos and flashbacks, and has been left babysitting his children. It felt more respectful than trying to digitally recreate him, which hasn’t worked out well for the entertainment industry when other properties like Star Wars tried.
Fast X continues the trend of keeping Brian off-screen, but it sidelines Mia as well when Jason Momoa’s Dante Reyes comes after the family. However, given that Dante wants all the Torettos by the throat, a workaround has to be found for Brian. With a two-parter or possibly a trilogy in play, it would do Mia an injustice if she’s kept making cameos like this. But there’s one solution that’s been created that could match the story perfectly.
Fast X Feels Incomplete Without Mia Toretto
All of Dom’s kin are involved when they go on the run from Dante — someone who’s angry the heroes killed his criminal father. Letty’s taken prisoner, Jakob (or Uncle Muscle) is babysitting Little Brian, while Mia speeds home to take care of Brian and the children. She knows the Agency thinks they’re villains, so the story diverts her to an unseen side quest.
Given Dante’s war costs Jakob his life, Mia has to return after Fast X to garner revenge. Letty needs her as the team is splintered, plus Dom and his son end the film at the mercy of Dante and the traitorous Agency head, Aimes. It just doesn’t feel complete that Mia’s not there saving her brothers, when they’d do anything to rescue her.
The past movies compounded this, and if the franchise really is genuine about bringing all the family together, the hanging nail of Brian has to be addressed. If the story was self-contained, hiding Mia and Brian would have made sense and matched the plot. However, without Mia moving forward, the film’s Corona moment with the Toretto matriarch about them uniting would feel like it holds less weight.
Fast X Sets a Way Up to Write Brian Off
The future Fast & Furious movies can take a page from Disney and Lucasfilm when Princess Leia had to die off-screen. Whether it’s Dante’s forces or Aimes’ troops, Brian sacrificing his life for his family can lead to a flash-forward with a memorial. This can immediately trigger Mia into action, unleashing her like never before. She’s usually the more tempered of the bunch, but this Mia would be ideal to work with Letty, Cipher and the others.
The Fast & Furious franchise is male-heavy, but Mia adds value to her brother’s team and family. Seeing as there’s no word on an all-female entry into the film series, increasing her presence in the remaining films offers the chance to put her on equal footing with Dom. She can also lead Ramsey, the resurrected Gisele and Brie Larson’s Tess to help her avenge the loved ones Dante and Aimes killed.
At this juncture, the franchise is about moving on and evolving, per Paul Walker’s daughter making a cameo. In that sense, by removing Brian, the narrative wouldn’t feel restless anymore, especially if later down the line, the O’Conner kids become part of the story. By accepting mortality, there can be a sense of closure and peace. Ultimately, Brian’s passing in-continuity can help steel the crew up to remind Dante and future threats a death in the family doesn’t mean the end of the road.
See how Brian’s role stalls Mia’s development in Fast X, now playing in theaters.
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