Today, it has evolved into a Mission: Impossible-style billion-dollar franchise with nine subsequent installments and one spin-off.
From that point on, the man audiences see on the screen is a completely different kind of protagonist.
Both actors had established credits to this point, most notably Diesels performances inSaving Private RyanandPitch Black.
Image by Federico Napoli
Yet, neither actor had reached household name status when they appeared in theRob Cohen-helmed action film.
As a character, Dom had a DNA similar toPatrick Swayzes Bhodi fromPoint Break.
He exudes high confidence on the street as an unbeaten competitor that nearly everyone respects.
Image via Universal Studios
Doms dark past eventually complicated his values in the present.
By this time, the franchise had expanded to new characters and exotic locales outside L.A. Dom’s sister Mia sees something she likes in Brian, too.
Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) enjoys the adrenaline of street car racing and his fans treat him like a rock star. After a blazing encounter with the ruthless Johnny Tran, Dom decides to take Brian (Paul Walker), a newcomer to street racing, under his wing. Dom’s sister Mia sees something she likes in Brian, too. Trouble is, neither of them realize he’s an undercover cop, and Dominic and his rival Johnny Tran are both the prime suspects in a case involving dirty money and big-rig hijacking.
