Author Barry Hertz on The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious
•February 19, 2026
0
Why It Matters
The interview underscores the Fast & Furious franchise’s enduring box‑office pull and highlights how studio negotiations and cutting‑edge theater technology are reshaping revenue models for exhibitors and investors alike.
Key Takeaways
- •Barry Hertz's book chronicles Fast & Furious franchise evolution.
- •Fast & Furious franchise slated for March 2028 release.
- •Female‑driven films open modestly, then gain strong box‑office legs.
- •Warner Bros. sale talks heat up as Paramount improves its offer.
- •New onyx LED screens at Georgia theater showcase next‑gen cinema tech.
Summary
The Box Office Podcast welcomes Globe and Mail deputy arts editor Barry Hertz to discuss his new 350‑page volume, "Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious," which maps the franchise’s rise from a modest 2001 debut to a global blockbuster engine. Hertz recalls his teenage memory of the first film and explains how the series reshaped studio strategies, culminating in the announcement of the next installment, "Fast Forever," slated for March 17, 2028.
During the conversation, the hosts weave in broader box‑office analysis: female‑oriented titles like "Weathering Heights" open with modest four‑day grosses but build momentum through word‑of‑mouth, while Warner Bros. faces renewed acquisition interest after Paramount sweetened its bid. The discussion also highlights emerging exhibition technology, noting a new onyx LED screen at Georgia’s Trilith theater that promises brighter, more immersive experiences.
Notable moments include Hertz’s vivid description of his first Fast & Furious viewing, the podcast’s citation of a $38 million opening for a recent female‑driven film, and the strategic timing of the Fast franchise’s 2028 release to capitalize on franchise fatigue and fresh audience cycles. The hosts also reference Disney’s billion‑dollar club entry and Amazon MGM’s surprise over‑performance with "Crime 101," underscoring shifting dynamics in theatrical revenue streams.
The episode signals that the Fast & Furious brand remains a bellwether for franchise longevity, while studio M&A activity and next‑gen theater tech signal a competitive landscape where content, distribution, and audience experience intersect. For exhibitors, understanding these trends is crucial to programming decisions and capital investments.
Original Description
This week on the Boxoffice podcast, co-hosts Daniel Loria, Rebecca Pahle, and Chad Kennerk recap the opening weekend of “Wuthering Heights” and cover all the latest news in theatrical exhibition. Then in the feature segment, Daniel speaks with Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor at the Globe and Mail, about his new book Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters that Supercharged the World.
00:00 Intro
00:21 Episode Preview Barry Hertz Interview
01:00 Weekend Box Office Kickoff and Weathering Heights Opening
06:11 Weathering Heights $38M Debut Analysis
08:00 Warner Bros.’ Ninth #1 in a Row
08:21 Sony’s Goat Opens to $35M
08:44 Amazon MGM’s Crime 101 Overperforms
11:43 Amazon MGM’s 2025 Slate Momentum
13:00 Disney Hits $1B Globally in February
14:00 Warner Bros. Sale Update
14:26 New Fast & Furious Release Date 2028
16:02 Barry Hertz Joins the Podcast
17:00 Discovering the First Fast & Furious
21:00 From Street Racing Article to Global Franchise
23:26 How the Franchise Went Global
29:00 Was Tokyo Drift Almost Direct to DVD?
30:00 Justin Lin Reinvents the Series
33:00 Universal and Vin Diesel Decline Participation
37:57 On Set Tensions and Diesel Johnson Rift
39:00 Scrapped Villain Super Team Plans
41:00 What’s Happening With Fast X Part 2?
0
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...