Icons Unearthed: The Fast And The Furious on SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand S1E1 and S1E2 – It all began with a magazine article that exposed the world of illegal drag racing in cities across America.
Creatives at Universal would make a modest action film featuring drag racing, car modification – and of course, family – from its pages. What should have been a one-off popcorn summer flick followed by a straight-to-video sequel became one of the largest film franchises of all time.
Worth billions of dollars in ticket sales, it has spawned merchandise, spin-offs, and theme park attractions, and put a series of increasingly amazing stunts on the world’s movie screens. Despite the loss of a beloved lead actor, the franchise is a masterclass in world-building, raising the stakes, and growing a truly dedicated fan base internationally.
Episode One: Racer X
This billion-dollar blockbuster franchise begins with a magazine article about a New York city street racer that inspires Universal to make a movie about the underground world of illegal street racing. The simple formula of Romeo and Juliet meets Point Break with cars becomes the little movie that could, defying all expectations.
Episode Two: Shifting Gears
With Paul Walker originally locked into a two-picture deal, a sequel is imminent after the success of The Fast and the Furious. However, after Vin Diesel and director Rob Cohen declined to come back, legendary director John Singleton and rising star, Tyrese Gibson, have huge shoes to fill in a movie that pushes the boundaries of danger both on screen and off.
Icons Unearthed: The Fast And The Furious on SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand – Season Premiere / Saturday 20 December at 8.30pm (6 Parts)
TV Central SBS content HERE
Icons Unearthed: The Fast And The Furious on SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand S1E1 and S1E2
