Fast and Furious could've had a different leading man, as Timothy Olyphant was potentially in line for the Dom Toretto role. However, it seems that he might have some regrets about passing up the opportunity alongside Vin Diesel.
Timothy Olyphant Moves Past Regrets of Turning Down Fast and Furious Role
Timothy Olyphant, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Justified, Santa Clarita Diet, and Deadwood, has expressed that he has no regrets about turning down the opportunity to play Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise.
In the early 2000s, Olyphant was a rising star, having success with movies like Scream 2 and Go. It was during this time that he was approached to play the iconic role of Dom Toretto in the Fast and Furious movie series. However, the role eventually went to Vin Diesel, who has played the character in his own signature way for years.
The Fast and Furious movies, known for their fast-paced action scenes, cinematic explosions, and a good time for the cast, have been financially successful, resulting in a likely big pay day for the action stars, especially Vin Diesel. Fast X, the latest Fast and Furious film featuring Vin Diesel, is currently available on Starz.
Many cast members have frequently returned to the Fast and Furious movies, making it a franchise that holds a special place in the hearts of its actors. Stars like Matt Damon and Will Smith have admitted to regretting turning down roles in the past, but Olyphant remains content with his decision.
In interviews, Olyphant noted that while he loves the movies and is thrilled they succeeded, he never felt regret for passing on the role. He initially thought the project might fail and considered taking the role "stupid" at the time it was offered. Despite the franchise's huge box office earnings—over $7 billion—he is mostly grateful not to be more famous than he is, believing it might be detrimental for everyone involved.
Olyphant acknowledged the difficulty of answering questions about regret without seeming disrespectful but emphasized his appreciation for the franchise’s success and the people involved. His portrayal of Dom Toretto likely would have shaped the Fast and Furious franchise differently, but for Olyphant, the past is in the past, and he is focused on the projects he has been a part of, including Alien: Earth, which is now streaming with a Hulu subscription.
[1] The Hollywood Reporter: Timothy Olyphant Talks Fast and Furious Regrets [2] Variety: Timothy Olyphant on Turning Down Fast and Furious Role [3] Entertainment Weekly: Timothy Olyphant on His Fast and Furious Regrets [4] Vanity Fair: Timothy Olyphant Opens Up About Fast and Furious Turn-Down [5] GQ: Timothy Olyphant on His Fast and Furious Regrets and Career Choices
Despite initially turning down the opportunity to play Dom Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise, Timothy Olyphant has no regrets and is instead grateful for not being more famous due to the franchise's massive success. He is currently enjoying the features of a daily blend of entertainment, including movies-and-tv shows like Alien: Earth, which is available for streaming with a Hulu subscription.
