The Fast & Furious Franchise’s Biggest Missed Opportunity from 10 Years Ago in Its Highest-Grossing Film

Fast & Furious reached new heights with its seventh installment, a film that not only solidified its status as a monumental success in the franchise but also marked a poignant farewell to the beloved Paul Walker. Furious 7 blended high-caliber entertainment with a heartfelt tribute, yet it ultimately squandered a golden opportunity to fully utilize one of its notable new characters. While the film concluded with an emotional farewell between Dom and Brian, it successfully balanced this sentimentality with thrilling action sequences featuring one of the franchise’s most compelling villains, Deckard Shaw.

The Missed Potential of Djimon Hounsou’s Jakande in Furious 7

Limited Opportunities for Djimon Hounsou in the Fast & Furious Universe

Djimon Hounsou as Mose Jakande wearing sunglasses in Furious 7.

With a star-studded cast, it was a challenge for all actors to shine in Furious 7. Unfortunately, Djimon Hounsou’s remarkable talent was not leveraged to its fullest. Known for his roles in major franchises including the MCU and DC, Hounsou was relegated to a secondary villain in this film, which felt like a disservice given his impressive filmography. While many of Hounsou’s significant roles emerged after his time in the Fast & Furious series, his established reputation leaves many fans wondering why he wasn’t afforded a more substantial presence.

As Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw took center stage as the main antagonist, Hounsou’s Jakande became somewhat overlooked. His character’s demise came after a helicopter explosion at the hands of Dom and Hobbs, and although the franchise is known for resurrecting characters, it seems unlikely Jakande will make a return in future installments. This is regrettable, as Hounsou’s character had untapped potential—his connections with key players like Cipher and Ramsey could have easily positioned him as a formidable main adversary.

Ultimately, Jakande’s role was minimized to elevate Shaw, and with Statham having become a franchise mainstay, it leaves fans curiously speculating about Jakande’s potential legacy had he been given a more prominent role. Hounsou’s capacity for depth and intensity as a villain remains clear, yet he did not have the opportunity to craft a more memorable character arc.

Deckard Shaw: The Dominant Force in Furious 7

Deckard Shaw’s Transformation into a Franchise Icon

In the thrilling landscape of Furious 7, Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw emerged as a pivotal character, driving the narrative with his quest for vengeance after his brother was harmed by Dom’s crew in a prior installment. Shaw’s presence as the primary antagonist left a lasting impression, ensuring his subsequent appearances in later films, including the spin-off, Hobbs & Shaw. Statham’s portrayal captured both the intensity of revenge and the complexity of a character that eventually shifted from foe to ally.

Shaw’s relentless ambitions to thwart Dom and his team offered some of the film’s most dynamic scenes, complemented by Statham’s action-hero persona. As the franchise prepares for Fast & Furious 11, Statham’s enduring role underscores the character’s evolution and significance within the series. The films effectively utilized his martial arts expertise, aligning him perfectly with the franchise’s high-octane aesthetic, and while Statham’s introduction as the main villain was a strategic choice, it is notable that this came at the expense of fully showcasing Hounsou’s character.

Balancing the Importance of Shaw and Jakande in Furious 7

Enhancing Jakande’s Role Without Undermining Shaw

Two cars driving down opposite roads in Furious 7

While both Deckard Shaw and Jakande played pivotal roles in Furious 7, it’s evident that the film could have harmoniously allowed both characters to shine. Given Jakande’s alignment with Cipher, who was poised to be the main antagonist in the next installment, his continued presence and development could have enriched the plot and provided thrilling dynamics that enhanced his character’s significance. This approach would not have necessitated reducing Shaw’s impact; in fact, it could have elevated the stakes for both villains.

Although Jakande’s pivotal moment came with the death of Sheppard, it was not enough to establish him as a credible threat. A larger presence with more confrontations against the main team would have positioned him as a formidable adversary alongside Shaw, further entrenching him in the franchise lore. Had the writers opted for this direction, Furious 7 could have retained its status as a blockbuster while allowing Hounsou to fulfill his potential, creating a more diversified villain landscape.

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