Animated Series of “The Fast and The Furious” to Premiere on Netflix

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. franchise / ˈfræn tʃaɪz / (n) – a collection or group of related media like books, films, and TV programs
    Example:

    The movie franchise has six films.


  2. spin-off / ˈspɪnˌɔf, -ˌɒf / (n) – a product that is based on a movie, book, or TV program
    Example:

    The new TV series is a spin-off of the popular film.


  3. protagonist / proʊˈtæg ə nɪst / (n) – the main character of a story
    Example:

    I am excited about the movie because my favorite actor will play the protagonist.


  4. phenomenon / fɪˈnɒm əˌnɒn / (n) – something that is considered great
    Example:

    The film series is already a phenomenon because it has been sold to over a hundred countries.


  5. enticing / ɛnˈtaɪs ɪŋ / (adj) – attractive
    Example:

    I feel that many people will watch the film because of its enticing teaser.


Article

Read the text below.

Netflix is set to release an animated series version of the popular action film The Fast and The Furious in July 2019.


The series is a project under a five-year deal between Netflix and DreamWorks Animation (DWA). Executive producers of the series include The Fast and The Furious cast member Vin Diesel, Neal Moritz, and Chris Morgan, who also produced the film franchise.


Currently, the film franchise has eight films, with the first installment released in 2001. The film’s plot revolves mainly around an illegal street-racing group.


The animated series is a spin-off of the live-action films and will still focus on the subject of illegal street racing. However, the content is expected to be more suitable for children, as opposed to the films’ PG-13 rating. Tony Toretto, the protagonist of the animated series, is the teenage cousin of Dominic Toretto from the film series. Dominic is one of the films’ main characters and is played by Vin Diesel.


The spin-off’s plot will be about Tony and his friends and how they will help a government agency gain access to a criminal organization disguised as a street-racing group.


Melissa Cobb, vice president for Netflix Kids and Family, expressed her excitement for the upcoming animated series. She perceives The Fast and The Furious as a worldwide phenomenon that cuts across different generations. This is why she is hopeful that the spin-off will be as enticing as its film counterpart.   


On another note, a ninth installment of the film series is reported to be in the works. It is scheduled to be released in April 2020.


 


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• If you were a fan of The Fast and The Furious film series, would you be interested to watch its animated version? Explain.
• Do you think the animated series’ plot about illegal street racing will be suitable for children? Why?

Discussion B

• What do you think makes a film a worldwide phenomenon? Discuss.
• If you were to produce a movie, what would it be about? Explain.