The "Fast & Furious" franchise is a favorite for many auto fanatics. Whether you're a fan of high-speed chases or custom car models, you likely get your fill of both with a viewing of one of these films. Anyone who truly loves these fun action flicks will probably make a special trip to the theater to catch "Fast & Furious 7" when it debuts April 2.
Eschewing CGI for real feats of strength
Fans already have an idea of some of the auto-related tricks they'll get to see on the big screen. Several trailers for the film have featured shots of cars being dropped out of a plane, for example. While some may think this feat was all done with special effects, in reality the filmmakers decided to make it much more real.
"We really wanted to rely on CGI as little as possible," producer Neal Moritz told The New York Post. "We did drop cars out of planes."
The source went on to explain that coordinators completed lots of tests prior to shooting. They discovered that the cars fell better when engines and other heavy gears were left inside, as the additional weight gave them more stability. Then the automobiles were pushed out of a plane at 12,000 feet, with special chutes deploying when they hit 5,000 feet above ground.
Just because parachutes were used doesn't mean all of the stunt cars were in good shape. Wind was a major enemy, ripping pieces off the automobiles and even dragging one car through the desert after catching hold of its parachute. But filmmakers weren't too concerned - although the cars may be expensive, there's no need for auto repair when you're dealing with so many expendable vehicles.
A tradition of pushing boundaries
Vin Diesel, one of the stars of the franchise, explained how this sequence worked during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He told the late night host that cameramen parachuted out of the plane as well, aiming to capture everything in one smooth take. The New York Post further said that these sky divers, who were wearing cameras mounted on helmets, fell at a rate of about 130 miles per hour.
The actor also told the comedian that they destroyed close to 250 cars during the course of filming, Yahoo reported. That's more than the 205 demolished as part of "Fast & Furious 6," but it's also a number producers will likely try to top should there be an eighth installment.