Jason Momoa: ‘I admire Vin Diesel’

Jason Momoa expresses his admiration for Vin Diesel’s dedication to maintaining the “Fast & Furious” franchise for 20 years, inspiring the film crew on set.

Actor Jason Momoa makes his return to the big screen, portraying a villain for the first time as Dante Reyes, the son of Brazilian drug lord Hernan, in Fast X. During this occasion, he shares his experience working on the film.

• How do you feel about joining “Fast & Furious”?
• In nearly 10 years of pursuing acting, I have never played a villain before. People didn’t believe I could take on such a character, and they didn’t give me the freedom to be creative with my role. But I was given the opportunity to test myself in Fast X. I presented my ideas to the producers on how to portray the character of Dante, and they accepted them.

I put all my effort and passion into Dante. I wanted to play a character who brings a sense of fun to the film while also confronting Dom (played by Vin Diesel) and his family. Playing Dante was like being a kid in a candy store because Dante gets to drive supercars and motorcycles, and I have a passion for them. I was excited to be a part of the final installment of the culturally influential Fast & Furious franchise.

• What preparations did you make for the role of Dante?
• The conflict between Dante and Dom is complex, and Dante is much more dangerous than the adversaries Dom faced in previous installments. The most challenging part was to show the innocence of this character to the audience. There are moments when it seems like both characters will clash, but I had to deceive the audience so that they couldn’t predict what would happen next.

I focused on costumes and props because they are crucial in building the character. My costume in the film was designed by Sanja Milkovic Hays, and I helped her choose the colors of the clothes and some props like knives and guns. I wanted my character to wear visually appealing outfits that showcase muscles, affirming the charisma and personality.

During the motorbike scene in Rome, Italy, the track was very short, requiring me to handle the shots very quickly. Supporting actors and the public were present everywhere as I raced past the Vatican or sped down the Spanish Steps. After completing the scenes, I wanted to do them again. These moments were an incredible experience that will always stay with me.

• Do you have any memorable experiences collaborating with the film crew?
• The best thing is working with a talented team. You just propose an idea, and they turn it into reality. Louis Leterrier is one of the top 5 amazing directors I have had the opportunity to work with. He provided me with useful advice for my work, but he was also strict.

I’m impressed by the female cast. Michelle Rodriguez is extremely friendly; I met her when we were shooting in Italy. Charlize Theron’s acting sometimes left me in awe, with every gesture and tone of voice.

Portuguese actress Daniela Melchior dedicated all her effort and focus to the role of Isabel Neves. Dante has committed many wrongdoings against Isabel, so before filming, I had multiple discussions with Melchior. She was always enthusiastic about the scenes and supportive of everyone.

And what about Vin Diesel?

• In the film, our characters take different paths. Dante hates Dom for causing the death of his father and is determined to seek revenge. Dom is a person driven by emotions, while Dante has received a lot of love from his father. We had many debates on how to make the audience feel that both characters are fighting for their families.

Vin Diesel has remained committed to the franchise for the past 20 years. He is attached to the role