The latest revelations point to an alternative casting in the Fast & Furious franchise, where Jamie Foxx was considered for the main antagonist before the role ultimately went to Jason Momoa in Fast X. This insight, essential for any fan of the saga, puts the Jason Momoa Fast X villain role in a new light, as questions surface about the path not taken by the popular action series.
Early Plans Highlight Jamie Foxx as Potential Antagonist
Barry Hertz, who serves as the Chief Film Critic for The Globe and Mail, outlines in his newly released book, Welcome to the Family, that plans were underway during the development of F9 to introduce Jamie Foxx as a formidable villain for the next chapter. Discussing the creative process, Hertz notes that a post-credits sequence was devised
“with the hope of featuring Jamie Foxx as a new villain,”
aiming to set up significant tension ahead of Fast X.
Daniel Casey, co-writer of F9, reflected on the evolving concepts for the film’s conclusion, saying,
“We wrote post-credit button scenes for quite a few different characters in F9, including actors that we hoped would play the villains in Fast 10—people who weren’t even in these movies, who you just hoped to see. I think we wrote eight different buttons for F9 until going with the one with Jason Statham.”
— Daniel Casey, Co-writer
Despite the ambitious vision, Hertz’s account confirms there was no decisive agreement or deep negotiations to bring Foxx on board. The book does not specify what character Foxx might have played or how his presence would have shifted the direction of the story. However, had talks advanced, Jamie Foxx may have stood in for Jason Momoa as the franchise’s major adversary in the tenth installment.
Jason Momoa Brings Dante Reyes to Life
In Fast X, Jason Momoa portrays Dante Reyes, the vengeful son of Hernan Reyes from Fast Five. Momoa’s character brings intense energy and a unique flair as the central villain, marking a dramatic return to the series’ recurring cycle of formidable opponents for Vin Diesel’s crew. Had Jamie Foxx stepped into this role, the new villain’s background, motivations, and dynamic with other characters could have looked very different, given differences in age and ethnicity between Foxx and Momoa.
Potential Impact of Casting Change in the Franchise
The speculation over Jamie Foxx’s involvement underscores the unpredictable nature of casting high-profile action franchises and highlights how one decision can shape the audience’s experience. A different actor in the main villain spot would have influenced storylines and possibly changed the chemistry with returning key figures such as Vin Diesel and Jason Statham. Fans are left to wonder how Foxx, known for a diverse range of antagonistic performances, might have altered the intense dynamic established by Jason Momoa, especially for those invested in the evolution of the Jason Momoa Fast X villain.
