Fast X: Part 2 could have the largest cast of any Fast & Furious movie, but it needs to give a larger role to one actor who made their franchise debut in the previous movie. The Fast and Furious franchise began with an excellent cast, including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Michelle Rodriguez. It expanded after the first film, adding series regulars like Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, and Ludacris. Since 2011’s Fast Five, many of Hollywood’s best action stars have joined the family, including Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Charlize Theron, and John Cena.
Even acting legends like Kurt Russell and Helen Mirren have joined in on the fun. Fast X expanded the cast even more, introducing Brie Larson as the daughter of Russell’s Mr. Nobody and Jason Momoa as Dante Reyes, the central antagonist for the franchise’s finale. Momoa got the most time to shine, chewing up the scenery as Dominic Torreto’s latest enemy. Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson also made his franchise debut in Fast X as Aimes, but he was often sidelined to focus on Dante. Fast 11 needs to give Ritchson a bigger role and utilize his versatile talent.
Fast X Underused Alan Ritchson
His Character Was Pretty One-Note
Ritchson has become a recent action star thanks to his role as Jack Reacher in Prime Video’s Reacher series. He’s a perfect fit for the Fast & Furious franchise and a welcome addition for the final two films. In Fast X, Ritchson plays Aimes, the leader of The Agency who succeeded Mr. Nobody after he disappeared. He’s a tough and stubborn agent who despises Dom and his family for their reckless, destructive behavior. While he appears to befriend Dom by the end of the film, he betrays him and reveals he’s been working with Dante the whole time.
Aimes is an intriguing antagonist because he initially seems like someone who wants to do the right thing, but disagrees with Dom’s methods. He has a rigid personality, but there is some charm which allows him to deceive Dom into trusting him. Still, his performance is often one-note, coming across as a stereotypical tough guy whose biggest trait is his mᴀssive stature. It’s easy to forget about him, especially when Momoa steals the spotlight. Still, the final reveal suggests there could be a larger role for Aimes in Fast 11.
Fast & Furious 11 Needs To Give Ritchson A Larger Role
Aimes Is Now A More Threatening Antagonist
Fast X ended with Aimes showing his true colors. He’s been working with Dante since Fast Five, forming some type of partnership with Dante’s father, Hernan, before the crew stole the vault containing the Reyes’ family money. At the end of Fast X, Aimes shoots down Roman, Tej, Ramsey and Han’s plane, and leaves Dom and his son to die in the dam explosion. While he was somewhat of an antagonist to Dom, the film’s ending made him an undeniable villain.
While Dante is still the main villain of Fast 11, Aimes needs more of a central role. There are many new questions created from this twist surrounding his backstory and what else he’s done to sabotage Dom and his team. Aimes must have been a high-profile individual if Hernan wanted to form a partnership with him. He could be more interesting if the film explores who he is and what he did before meeting Dante in Fast Five. He has the potential to be one of the franchise’s best villains, especially if Fast 11 knows how to use Ritchson.
Ritchson Can Show More Of His Range As A Fast 11 Antagonist
Reacher Is More Versatile Than Many Might Expect
Ritchson has built a reputation as an action star, primarily due to his role in Reacher. He’s fantastic as the тιтular character, giving him an overly serious persona that’s balanced by a good heart and charming wit. However, many would be surprised to learn that the actor has a comedic background and even some musical talent. Ritchson made his TV debut on American Idol in 2004, making it to the second round. He has singing chops that he has yet to demonstrate in other projects.
Ritchson’s other notable roles include тιтans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
His comedic ability was on full display in Blue Mountain State, where he played Kevin “Thad” Castle for three seasons and in the 2016 film, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland. Thad was one of the show’s most hilarious characters, and Ritchson’s dedicated and over-the-top performance made him a fan favorite. He also showcased his comedic skills in 2024’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, bringing a touch of levity to a serious role. He may not be able to portray Aimes as ridiculous as Momoa’s Dante, but he can demonstrate more of his versatility in Fast 11.
