Vin Diesel Pens Emotional Tribute To Fast And Furious Family Member Helen Mirren: ‘She Is Part Of Our Mythology’

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As a die-hard movie fan, I can’t help but marvel at the epic journey of the Fast and Furious series, with massive stars tearing up the screen alongside Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto. Yet, none has left quite the lasting impression as when Helen Mirren graced our screens in 2017 as Magdalene Shaw. And let me tell you, from their initial meeting to their collaborations on set, Diesel and Mirren have truly struck up a remarkable bond that’s clear for all to see. In fact, Diesel even took the time to pen a heartfelt tribute to this esteemed Oscar winner, reminding us all of their special friendship.

The love fest between the pair of Fast & Furious stars happened thanks to Mirren’s tenacity to get into the Fast franchise. She previously said she “begged” the actor and producer to let her be in the movies so she could get the chance to drive fast cars in a big-budget popcorn movie. Expressing his appreciation for his co-star, Diesel wrote on Instagram,

As I journey between coastlines, frequently finding inspiration for writing amidst the beauty of Bear Country, I frequently receive updates from my globetrotting friends, basking in the cultural richness of Europe. Over the weekend, a cherished soul, Helen Mirren – the dear friend I adore chatting with – reached out to me. She’s the wise auntie who offers insights on life drawn from experience, wisdom, and empathy.

On Wednesday, Diesel posted a collection of pictures featuring him and Mirren from their work on the Fast & Furious film, accompanied by heartfelt remarks about their friendship. He went on to add:

It’s intriguing how well-suited her role in our epic tale turned out to be, given that we were searching for a European matriarch to enrich our narrative. We wanted a character who embodied unique independence and authenticity, someone who had observed the intricacies of brotherhood as the mother of the Shaw brothers. The audience is consistently drawn to her parallel with the Dom character. It was indeed she who coined the phrase ‘you’re my favorite Yankee’. Haha.

What a delightful communication! Vin Diesel expressly wanted Helen Mirren to be part of the series, specifically portraying the mother of the Shaw brothers, played by Jason Statham and Luke Evans. Over time, Dom and Queenie have had many memorable scenes, and Diesel and Mirren have also shared several charming moments during press tours – including dancing in the rain together.

Diesel notes that there’s a strong connection between Dom and Queenie on-screen, a bond that Mirren previously acknowledged through her YouTube comments by stating they “get each other” and describing their characters as being fashioned from the same substance. This sentiment was also expressed in his recent social media post.

It’s fortunate that she plays a role in our legends… yet, it brings me immense gratitude that she is a member of my family beyond the screen.

It’s making us wonder about the current status of production for the latest Fast & Furious movie, and whether Dame Helen Mirren will be part of it. Although Fast X, Part 2 won’t be one of the 2025 releases, there are rumors that filming will begin this summer. Earlier in the year, Diesel hinted that they plan to shoot the movie in Los Angeles as a way to assist the local film industry, which was impacted by the wildfires in January and affected many livelihoods in Southern California.

Information about Fast X: Part 2 is scant, but it’s anticipated to conclude the prolonged film series that commenced in 2001. It wouldn’t feel right without Dom and Queenie sharing more screen time together. Here’s hoping! In the meantime, keep an eye out for Mirren in The Thursday Murder Club, debuting on Netflix for subscribers on August 28.

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2025-05-29 04:41