The Fast & Furious Franchise and the Exclusion of Jean-Claude Van Damme

The Fast & Furious movies have turned several actors into action stars, including Kurt Russell, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Stratham. While there have been opportunities for established action stars to join the franchise, such as Vin Diesel, it seems that one notable actor has been excluded: Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Vin Diesel’s Rejection of Jean-Claude Van Damme

In an interview with The Telegraph, Van Damme revealed that he was being considered for a role in a Fast & Furious movie. However, Vin Diesel, who not only plays Dominic Toretto but also produces the franchise, reportedly rejected the idea of having Van Damme on board. According to Van Damme, Diesel said, “No, I don’t want him.”

Speculations on the Exclusion

Van Damme did not reveal which Fast & Furious movie he was being considered for, nor did he provide any details about the character. However, it is intriguing to speculate why Vin Diesel rejected the idea of having Van Damme join the franchise, considering his proven track record in the action genre.

Van Damme achieved stardom in the ’90s with blockbuster hits like Universal Soldier, Hard Target, Timecop, and Street Fighter. While his profile may have diminished in recent years, with most of his work being direct-to-video or limited releases, he did appear in the first two Expendables movies. A role in a Fast & Furious film could have been a great opportunity for him to impress audiences unfamiliar with his earlier work.

Future of the Franchise and Van Damme’s Career

As of now, it seems unlikely that Van Damme will be part of the Fast & Furious franchise. However, if the situation changes, we will keep you informed. Van Damme has recently lent his voice to the character Jean Clawed in 2022’s Minions: The Rise of Guru. His next movie, Frenchy, sees him taking on multiple roles as the star, director, writer, and producer. As for the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast X has set the stage for Fast & Furious 11, which was initially planned for a 2025 release but is now on hold due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Additionally, a spinoff movie featuring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Momoa will serve as a bridge between Fast X and Fast & Furious 11.