In the spacious press room, numerous photographers raised their cameras high, capturing every moment of the event. These were valuable pieces of entertainment news.
On the small stage in front, Matthew stood as the absolute focal point. To his sides were Paul Walker and Gal Gadot. Surrounding them were other cast members, including Daniel Wu, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, and more. The entire "racing family" had gathered to showcase their camaraderie to the media.
Although there were minor conflicts within the "racing family," they were never serious. Since the previous film had solidified the "family" concept, the cast had maintained reasonably good relationships, both publicly and privately.
For a group of actors—particularly well-known ones—you couldn't expect more.
Hoping they'd behave like a real family? That's just wishful thinking.
Nevertheless, they presented the most harmonious image in front of the media, part of an actor's job for promotional purposes.
Soon, the actors dispersed among the reporters, granting interviews. Unsurprisingly, the journalists crowded around Matthew the most.
A reporter from The Times opened with a question. "Mr. Horner, was the sixth installment already planned long ago?"
Matthew, well-prepared, answered calmly, "Both Justin and I have always had ideas for the sixth and seventh installments. However, figuring out how to bring those ideas to life proved challenging. We discussed it extensively and decided to elevate this film to a grander and more exhilarating level. That means the new movie will feature faster cars, larger-scale action sequences, and even more thrilling fights. The racing scenes will be bigger and more exciting than in any of the previous films."
A journalist from the BBC followed up, "Does this film bring anything new?"
Innovation in a $180 million production wasn't something to experiment with lightly. Matthew smiled and said, "I hope this movie embodies the essence of car culture, blending it into a pure action film. We want this series to set a benchmark for the culture and spirit it represents in future films."
Another reporter, from The Hollywood Reporter, asked, "It's been said that the sixth and seventh installments are closely connected. Are they two parts of the same story?"
Matthew didn't deny it but explained, "These are two interlinked yet independent stories. Originally, we planned to make just one movie, but there was too much content. The script was over 210 pages long, so we had to split it into two parts. Essentially, the sixth and seventh films are one story. There will be more roaring cars, and all the character relationships will be further developed."
He paused briefly, then added, "When we discussed the story, we realized a single film couldn't accommodate everything. Splitting it into two parts became a necessity. The car racing culture and vehicle modifications will definitely offer something fresh and exciting."
Self-assured remarks from Matthew came across as confidence rather than boastfulness.
The interview went smoothly, and afterward, Matthew returned to the hotel to rest. He would be staying in London for a while to continue filming and needed to stay in top shape.
The interviews quickly appeared in global newspapers, websites, and TV channels. The Fast & Furious franchise had already become a powerful brand, easily drawing attention from countless fans.
Although the films were leaning more toward action movies disguised as racing films, high-speed racing remained one of the biggest selling points of Fast & Furious 6.
Without jaw-dropping racing scenes, the films wouldn't deserve the name Fast & Furious.
The new movie's production featured several adrenaline-pumping car sequences, including carefully choreographed races in the streets of London and other locations, as well as scenes involving a tank and an airplane.
Due to unforeseen issues with the tank scenes, those required a set to be constructed, while the airplane sequences, originally scheduled later, were moved up.
The stunts and action in Fast & Furious 6 were the largest in the franchise so far. Director Justin Lin meticulously planned four major action set pieces: the crash of a giant Russian cargo plane, a tank battle, the destruction of a multi-level parking garage, and high-speed chases through urban streets.
For the cargo plane crash, the crew rented an abandoned Royal Air Force base near London and refurbished the runway.
To achieve authentic visuals, Lin insisted on practical effects as much as possible.
One of the boldest stunts in the series so far involved the crash of an Antonov AN-225 cargo plane.
The scene depicted the massive plane being pulled down mid-takeoff. During filming, the special effects team rigged the plane to their vehicles, allowing them to drive in and out of the cargo hold via the rear ramp, culminating in a dramatic crash.
Another key moment featured the protagonist Sean driving through the plane's nose cone.
The crew couldn't obtain an actual Antonov AN-225 due to international and financial constraints. However, Hollywood's technical capabilities made creating a replica straightforward.
The team built three major parts of the plane at the airbase: a 75-foot-long, 50-foot-wide fuselage with wheels; a 100-foot-long rear ramp resembling the tail section, allowing cars to drive in and out; and a full-scale model of the plane's midsection, wings, engines, and damaged nose.
Practical effects like flames and smoke enhanced the realism.
Amid roaring engines, Matthew sped across the runway, skillfully maneuvering around the plane's nose. On camera, the replica seemed to be moving quickly, but in reality, it traveled at a manageable speed, enabling Matthew—who wasn't an exceptional driver—to perform the stunt.
Once this scene was completed, the crew moved on to other actors' sequences before preparing the plane model for a massive explosion.
Matthew and the lead actors left the set, leaving the remaining action scenes to stunt doubles.
Paul Walker approached Matthew afterward. "Got time tomorrow?"
Matthew shook his head. "I've got two scenes tomorrow."
"Last-minute changes?" Paul nodded in understanding when Matthew confirmed. "I was going to invite you to a fun party."
Matthew, always on good terms with Paul, smiled. "There'll be other opportunities."
Paul nodded. "I'll find someone else then."
Matthew assumed Paul would invite someone from the cast since most had free time over the weekend.
But Paul pulled out his phone and called a friend in London, asking for a ride to the party since he didn't have a car.
Westerners love parties. Matthew used to enjoy them too, especially ones filled with beautiful women.
However, since getting a steady girlfriend, he had settled down and avoided any inappropriate behavior in his relationships.
When Matthew returned to his hotel after a long day of filming, he was met with a delightful surprise.
"Margot?" He saw Margot Robbie standing in the hotel lobby. "When did you get here?"
"Just an hour ago," she replied with a smile.
Matthew hugged her tightly. "It's so good to see you."
Margot, slightly puzzled, asked, "What's going on?"
Without answering, Matthew grabbed her hand and led her to his room. As soon as the door closed, he pressed her against the wall, his intentions clear.
Margot understood without explanation and relaxed, matching his intensity.
Afterward, as the room quieted, Margot gently stroked Matthew's cheek. "You were really impulsive just now."
Matthew kissed her lightly, then admitted, "Work has been stressful lately." After some hesitation, he added, "I guess you could say…"
"What?" Margot asked curiously.
"I've been showing signs of a slight addiction... not too serious, though. Ever since meeting you, it's been better."
Margot raised an eyebrow. "So I showed up just in time."
"Exactly." Matthew laughed. "Helen suggested I see a therapist a few times, but I didn't go."
Margot kissed him back. "Whenever you're overwhelmed, call me. No matter what, I'll be here for you."
"Having a girlfriend isn't so bad after all," Matthew joked, pulling her close again. "Let's start round two."
"Let me rest a bit. I've been on a long flight."
Realizing his oversight, Matthew stopped and held her close. "I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me."
Lying in his arms, Margot could sense how deeply the airplane accident had affected Matthew. It seemed to have reshaped many of his perspectives.
Thinking about it, she realized the same accident had profoundly changed her as well. Before it, she wouldn't have considered being with someone like him.
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