Warning: Spoilers for Fast X
Fast X, the penultimate installment of the beloved Fast Saga, has ignited a heated debate among fans over the fate of one of its most intriguing characters: Jakob Toretto (John Cena). Jakob Toretto had spent much of his life estranged from his sister, Mia, and brother, Dom. However, he reconciled with his family at the end of F9, so it was good to see him still in the thick of the Toretto clan in Fast X. Jakob plays a crucial role in the narrative of Fast X. However, the circumstances surrounding his alleged demise have left viewers questioning whether he truly met his end.
In Fast X, Jakob Toretto is skillfully depicted as a formidable force, serving as a catalyst for a gripping scene in Fast X. His newfound alliance with Dom and Mia brings a sense of intrigue and emotional depth to the narrative, making it all the more difficult for fans to accept his purported death. Having just reunited with his family, Jakob's presence highlights the way in which Fast X turns the Fast Saga franchise's ideas of family, forgiveness, and redemption on their head. This thematic importance makes it even harder to believe that Jakob is really dead.
Fast X Seemingly Kills Jakob (But Is He Really Dead?)
In Fast X, Jakob Toretto is entrusted with safeguarding Brian "Lil B" Marcos from the relentless Dante. Jakob finds himself confronted with a grave predicament when Lil B clambers into the rear of Jakob's cannon-equipped vehicle to rectify a stuck missile. In a swift and cunning maneuver, Dante seizes the opportunity to snatch Lil B from the back of the car. This leaves Jakob in a state of horror and desperation, and he decides to take drastic action. Motivated by an indomitable sense of selflessness, Jakob embarks on a daring and sacrificial mission, purposefully igniting a chain reaction that leads to the detonation of his own car.
Jakob's plan works. His car explodes and forces Dante to veer off course, which creates a critical window for Dom to intervene and rescue his imperiled son. Lil B is able to jump into Dom's car just as Jakob's cannon car turns into a massive fireball, with Jakob still seemingly inside. There is no obvious way that Jakob could have escaped before the car detonated. However, Fast and Furious characters have a history of defying the odds and surviving seemingly fatal events. Thus, the question of whether Jakob Toretto has somehow defied the apparent fatality and escaped his explosive demise at the end of Fast X lingers.
Fast & Furious Keeps Bringing Back Dead Characters
The first and most memorable resurrection occurred in Fast & Furious 6 when Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) made a triumphant comeback after her apparent demise in Fast & Furious. The reunion between Letty and Dom Toretto was met with joy by fans due to their undeniable chemistry. Another remarkable resurrection in the Fast Saga involved the beloved character Han (Sung Kang). Previously believed to have been killed by Deckard Shaw in Tokyo Drift, it was revealed in F9 that the enigmatic Mr. Nobody had staged Han's death. Han's unexpected return was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, who had long clamored for the return of the charismatic and skilled driver.
The twist and turns of life and death continued with the surprising revelation that Gisele (Gal Gadot) had somehow survived an apparent fall to her death in Fast & Furious 6. Then, in Fast X, Gisele unexpectedly returns in a submarine to rescue Cipher and Letty. The circumstances surrounding her resurrection raise questions among viewers, inviting debate as to whether her return was a logical narrative choice or a hackneyed plot twist. The full implications of her death and resurrection are yet to be determined, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further developments in Fast 11 and beyond.
Why Fast & Furious Can't Make Jakob Another Death Fakeout
Jakob Toretto's death in Fast X needs to be final. The finale of the Fast Saga revolves around the orchestrated harm inflicted upon Dom Toretto and his crew by the formidable Dante Reyes. Given Dante's meticulous planning and organization in his quest for vengeance, it would be unrealistic for Dom and his team to remain unscathed. On the one hand, killing off immediate family, such as Letty, Lil B, or Mia and Bria, would incite audience anger. On the other hand, it wouldn't be enough to eliminate a likable recent addition to the group, such as Ramsey. However, Jakob's death carries significant emotional weight without completely dismantling the fabric of Dom's family.
If any individuals appear alive in Fast 11, it is more likely to be one of the other allies who are in jeopardy from Dante rather than Jakob. The fate of Elena's sister, Isabel, remains uncertain, although it seems unlikely that Dante would leave her unharmed. The same uncertainty looms over the safety of Mia, Brian, and their children, as well as Queenie Shaw and Abuela Toretto. Most of Dom's crew appeared to die in a plane crash during the Fast X finale, although it is unlikely that all these characters actually meet their demise. One way or another, the fates of these family will likely factor into Fast 11 and beyond.
