In the grand finale of the Fast & Furious film series, Fast X serves as a reunion for the stars who have been synonymous with the franchise. However, the most intriguing and eagerly anticipated newcomer in Fast X is Hollywood sensation Jason Momoa. The Aquaman star raises eyebrows as he steps into the role of the antagonist in the latest installment, promising a remarkable departure from his previous characters.
In Fast & Furious X, Jason Momoa portrays Dante, the son of kingpin Hernan Reyes. Driven by vengeance for his father’s death in Fast Five (2011), Dante is determined to dismantle Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family. Momoa’s character has spent 12 years devising a perfect plan to make Dom’s family pay a hefty price. Described by the writers and director as insane, cunning, and devoid of any remorse, this villainous role marks a significant shift for Jason Momoa.
Throughout his career in Hollywood, Momoa has often been associated with roles portraying heroic and masculine figures on screen. However, Fast X offers a rare opportunity for Momoa to take on the role of a villain. The Hawaiian actor expresses great excitement, stating that he thoroughly prepared to embody the wildly unpredictable antagonist in Fast & Furious X. Many fans anticipate a spectacular transformation for the Aquaman star.
Jason Momoa reveals that the process of filming Fast X was an exhilarating experience as he delved into a character less traditionally masculine than his previous roles. The actor shares, “I am thrilled to bring new and exciting elements to the character, finding a delicate balance between playfulness and his psychological complexity. Dom and the team have no idea how cunning and insane Dante can be. He deceives the protagonist in the blink of an eye.”
Previous antagonists in the Fast & Furious franchise have often been portrayed as serious, cautious, and ruthless individuals. However, in Fast & Furious X, Dante is a brutal character who still manages to maintain a stylish and flamboyant appearance. Jason Momoa describes his character as “savage, audacious, and flashy.” Apart from his unique appearance and high-intensity action skills, Jason Momoa also appreciates exploring the psychological aspects of the character he portrays. “In many ways, Dante’s issues stem from the obsession with his father. If you constantly try to impress someone, as Dante does with his father, you’ll always feel like a failure. Dante harbors a lot of bottled-up anger, and ultimately, he can only express it by hurting others,” adds Jason Momoa.
Director Louis Leterrier notes several similarities between Dante and Jason Momoa. “To be honest, the only difference between Jason and Dante is the level of cruelty,” he says. Louis Leterrier is also impressed with Momoa’s ability to seamlessly incorporate his daring and flamboyant real-life persona into the character, creating a distinctive and memorable personality for Dante.
