Over the last two decades, the Fast & Furious franchise, which is famous for its heart-pumping action scenes, flashy cars, and sky-high drama, has captured the attention of moviegoers. Each new release raises the stakes even higher with more compelling characters and exciting plots. As fans prepare for Fast X Part 2—the eleventh film in the franchise—speculation continues to swirl around Jakob Toretto, played by John Cena, appearing again. Here’s what we know so far.
The Importance of John Cena in the Fast Franchise
Fast X (2023)
John Cena does an Attitude Adjustment pic.twitter.com/UGKTQmToXH
— jesse (@solsrvca) May 19, 2024
A single appearance as Jakob Toretto, Dom’s estranged brother in Fast X, turned John Cena into a huge fan favorite. Starting as an antagonist, Jakob’s arc was quite heartwarming-ending up reconciling with his family and joining Dom’s crew at the end of Fast X. His journey from villain to hero made him a favorite among viewers, which left many fans looking forward to him coming back for the sequel.
But the tragic end of Cena’s character in Fast X, who stood in front of Dom’s son, Brian, sacrificing himself to use a makeshift cannon to blow up the villain’s car, made things more difficult. This all but ensured his legacy in the franchise.
Could he come back to the Fast saga?
While Jakob’s final fate seems definitive, the Fast & Furious franchise is no stranger to resurrecting characters presumed dead. From Letty’s return from presumed death to Han’s miraculous resurrection, the series has consistently tested the boundaries of the mortal coil. However, Cena’s reappearance as Jakob seems doubtful because of both his character’s arc and the actor’s real-life commitments.
Cena’s Focus on Wrestling
JOHN CENA TALKS ABOUT TURNING “HEEL” FOR HIS FINAL RUN. 👀#MITB
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) July 7, 2024
As if there weren’t enough uncertainty, John Cena recently announced that he will retire from professional wrestling after the end of 2025. The WWE star announced intentions to show up for marquee events such as the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania. But while this is promising for wrestling fans, it gives pause as to whether he is available for Fast X Part 2. Juggling a full wrestling schedule with the grueling production of a blockbuster film might be difficult to balance. There might be a possibility of his return if the dates of the film’s production get postponed. The chances of this outcome are very slim.
Everything We Know About Fast X Part 2
Fast X: Part 2, the eleventh installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, is scheduled for release in summer 2026. This is a year later than the original release date. Filming was delayed due to industry strikes, but is now expected to begin early next year. #fastandfurious pic.twitter.com/pDmbudITuK
— , (@CXGHorizon888) November 25, 2024
Vin Diesel announced at 2023 CinemaCon that Fast X Part 2 will be released in 2025. Without official updates on the plot, cast, or crew, those in the know predict the release will be pushed to 2026. Diesel is set to return as Dom Toretto, and Jason Momoa should be back as Dante Reyes, who’s on his nefarious crusade against Dom’s clan.
As the epic conclusion of the Fast & Furious saga, the movie is expected to include many character cameos throughout the history of the franchise. As for Cena’s return as Jakob, remains in the air, fans expecting an emotional conclusion to the epic series, one that’s action-packed and layered.
Final Thoughts
John Cena’s role in Fast X Part 2 is still unknown. Given the dramatic exit of his character and his newfound focus on wrestling, the chances of his return seem slim. But in a franchise where so much is possible, the improbable doesn’t seem so impossible. But with Fast X Part-2, they will be able to deliver the car-racing highs and emotional lows that fans have come to love for years.
