The importance of family is the thematic through line of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, but overcoming the odds and picking up victories is a close second. The heroes always rise to the occasion, whether they're racing five-second cars in the desert or evading nuclear missiles. This mentality also seems to have been adopted by the cast and crew behind the scenes, who aren't willing to let others beat them in the space race.
While answering a question from Looper at a "Fast and Furious 9" press junket, Ludacris noted that there's a good reason for the rocket car that was featured in one of the film's trailers. The rapper-turned-actor joked that the minds behind the film weren't willing to let actor Tom Cruise or business magnate Richard Branson (who currently has space travel on the brain, per the Guardian) beat them to the punch when it comes to space missions. It might not be the all-out "Fast and Furious" space opera that fans want to see, but it's one step closer to that dream coming to fruition.
Of course, Cruise might be the one who gets most of the plaudits in the end. The actor recently teamed with Doug Liman and Elon Musk for an ambitious project that they plan to shoot entirely in outer space. If that happens, it will genuinely be the first movie of its kind.
"F9" is set for release on June 25.
