It’s almost the end of the road in Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious saga, one of Hollywood’s most popular global movie franchises that’s all about family, street racing and the occasional heist. Fast X is confirmed to be the first of the final two road trips, revving up more full-throttle action and emotion when it hits cinemas in May. Reprising his role as fan favourite Han Lue, is American Korean actor Sung Kang, and we caught up with him over zoom (along with his two super cute dogs), to talk new cast members, stunts, and the funny places fans pop up to share their love of cars with him.

So Fast X, the tenth film is sure to be this summer’s Blockbuster movie. Without any spoilers, what are you most excited for people and the diehard fans to see with this penultimate instalment?

A couple of things really. One is that we’re making this film more grounded and more car centric, so I know the original fans will be happy with the action sequences as they’re now more stars of the film than they used to be. The second is we just have new and wonderful cast members, with Jason Momoa and Brie Larson, so the world of the fast family is expanding and I’m very excited about it all!

This film is shot in so many great new places and has a 20-plus-year story arc to conclude. Given that these films have evolved the way they have in terms of stunts and locations and the cast, does anything still surprise you when you read a script?

The stunts always surprise me, because there is such an amount of research that goes into blowing up a bridge or racing down the side of a dam, or going into space, and how to translate that on film and connect to the story. Even though the scenes in this film are more grounded, they still become more fantastical with each movie that comes out, and it merits it to a degree, because of the cast that are blessing us with their contribution.

What also surprises me, is that in the early days there was a slight prejudice that Fast & Furious was just a B-action flick, and it didn’t merit big thespians on board. But today, it’s become part of popular culture and so many generations have grown up with the films and in time, if it ages properly, it will transcend the initial stereotypes. I heard through the grapevine that Helen Mirren’s grandkids are huge fans of the franchise, and she’s part of this movie along with other Oscar winners, and that’s amazing, from where we’ve come from. It blows my mind to see all these thespians on sets, and that we’re in this league of actors. Aside from being part of all the action, as an actor it’s a big deal for me to be rubbing shoulders with people who are so good at their craft.

Left Shirt **Goodfight**, pants **Versace**, shoes **Kenzo**
Right Top, sunglasses & jewelry **Versace**, pants **Giorgio Armani**

You mention that things will be more grounded in this film, and this is a franchise that lives and dies on its fantastic action set pieces and the cars obviously. I read that this one will also return to its street racing roots. Can you give us a teaser of any specific stunt moments we can look forward to?

Well Han is drifting through the streets of Rome and doing some awesome car stunts, so for my part, it’s going to be pretty spectacular!

Ok, so no spoilers, but it appears as though fans will get a resolution to the storyline between Han and Deckard Shaw, as in the movie trailer you look like you’re both teaming up. Are the pair putting their differences aside because you’ve previously described your character as a "lover... not a fighter”?

You’ll have to see, I can’t give that away yet!! We did get together and we do discuss something…. haha!

So, what’s your favourite part about playing Han then?

The whole ethos of what Han is and what he represents. First and foremost, it’s being part of the FAST family outside of the movie, and when you step back, to see you are part of a franchise that’s been speeding along after two decades. To realise you’re a part of this Hollywood legacy, it’s amazing.

Coat **Louis Vuitton**, shirt & gloves **Kenzo**, pants & shoes **Giorgio Armani,** sunglasses **Gentle Monster**

You mention the family, which as you said has expanded with this movie. What do you think it is about these car obsessives that makes them role models for audiences, who might see themselves in those characters?

Well Han drives cool cars and does cool things, but he also maybe represents their face, their cadence, their life ideology on screen, and I get to be someone’s brother or friend or ideal boyfriend, and that’s pretty special, to be able to walk in his shoes outside the movie. Because of Han and Fast & Furious, I’ve been given this symbolic garage key to everyone’s garage, and that doesn’t just represent the physical car in the garage, but their life, their story, their secrets, passions, dreams, and it’s a true honour.

Do you get lots of people wanting to share their passions for cars with you? Is there a favourite fan encounter?

You know, I would love to take someone with me on my daily stroll and see the interactions I have with folks that are into cars. Folks that have grown up with this passion for automobiles, whether it be a super car, or exotic car or the family car that they took trips with their father and mother in. They often stop me and tell me, ‘Hey, I had this old classic car and my dad and grandfather worked on it together and we also put a turbo on it.’ I can be in a bodega and suddenly have a conversation with someone about cars and be able to connect on a simple level which is not from fan to celebrity, but just as fellow automobile enthusiasts.

I can set a tone and pass forward a positive experience, or be a douchebag and be like, ‘Yeah whatever, that’s nice for you, but I gotta go.’ It’s a reminder of the opportunity to connect with people globally, and even sometimes in the most inconvenient places like the bathroom!

Shirt **Goodfight**, pants **Versace**, shoes **Kenzo**

No way?

Oh yeah, I’ll be in the stall, and this guy will be like, ‘Oh hey, I have an old Datsun,’ haha!

Tell me about your own car memories, and what was the first car you owned?

I have so many amazing car memories, and some of my most important memories as a young man, were when I was around cars. My father gave me the family car as a gift for my 16th birthday, and I was so excited, bragging to all my friends that I’m going to start cruising with these guys. Then on my birthday, I asked my dad for the keys, and he said, ‘It’s your car son, but do you have insurance?’ I didn’t even know what it was! So, the reality of having that dream burst like that was hard, but now I recall it as him teaching me a lesson about the importance of needing insurance and being responsible.

Also, I have memories of experiences with my best friend’s first beetle bug Volkswagen, that was a piece of junk that he inherited, and we worked on it, so we could take a road trip together. Just that bond and the friendship and the challenges of rebuilding a car and then the trip itself, what an amazing memory to have, that shared experience around a car. It’s in my novel of amazing life experiences as a young person.

Right Coat **Louis Vuitton**, shirt & gloves **Kenzo**, pants & shoes **Giorgio Armani,** sunglasses **Gentle Monster**
Left Top, sunglasses & jewelry **Versace**, pants **Giorgio Armani**

I bet you were listening to some epic tunes on that road trip too, any that bring back the emotion and nostalgia for those days?

Yes, this obscure song called ‘Friends’ by UTFO. We would put it in the cassette player and just play it on repeat and sing along to it! Every time I think of my friends or a road trip, that song comes into my head.

Once Fast & Furious comes to the end of the road, what would you love to do next, is there a dream project or actors you would love to work with?

Gary Oldman, I would love to go head-to-head with him on screen. I would also like to enter the comedy world, there’s something to be said about being on set where the endorphins are going because everyone’s getting a good chuckle! Will Ferrell is also someone I would love to come over to the Fast &Furious world, he would be a great villain! Long last brother of Dom, haha!

I love acting, but I would love to have more opportunities to expand my creative world, and maybe those opportunities I seek are not available for someone who looks like me at this current time. So instead of taking a backseat approach and blaming the status quo, the only true thing I can control is being proactive. That’s why I directed my first feature which I’m really excited about and I’m currently working on another one, and I’ve been in town pitching the story and the team I’ve assembled. I’ve been blessed to work with so many amazing crew members and actors and the unsung heroes in our business, that are the foundation of a great movie and why our industry is so great. Now I would like to take those learning experiences and share them with other folks. As a director I also have more control of the project, and the tone and ethos that you set on set.

Left Full look **Louis Vuitton**
Right Top, sunglasses & jewelry **Versace**

You’ve just inspired everyone championing inclusivity and representation. As an Asian-American actor and role model for so many, how important has the storytelling been to you in the projects you’ve worked on, to reinforce that sense of belonging and pride in your identity?

I didn’t really know what to do with being someone who is of any type of influence or be able to represent my heritage and my face, and for my people to look at me and see themselves and want to emulate the values they see on screen. I didn’t know what the purpose was of that, or why I should be responsible for that. But now as I get older, one’s purpose and priority changes and I have to ask myself, is my legacy just doing a bunch of movies for my resume? Or is my legacy those quiet individual moments when I do meet people in passing, and I get to talk to them on a human level, and represent a person of colour, my family name, the husband, friend or colleague I want to be, the person that I want to be? I hope I can influence and leave a positive legacy for this world. It’s an honour and every day I feel like I’m going to fail, so it forces and urges me to better myself every day.

Finally, I must ask you about those two cute fluffy friends in the background on our zoom today, you love dogs as much as me then?

Yes!! I have three-year-old Deh-ji which means pig in Korean, he’s a golden doodle and then we have the little guy, Kool-off, he’s the baby. They’re always next to me when I’m zooming on camera, and they even have a car dog bed, so they’re part of the FAST family too!

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Shane McCauley

Fashion by Nico Amarca

Hair /Grooming by Candice Birns

Casting by Imagemachine cs

Photographer’s assistant Carter Whitaker