On Tuesday, Vin Diesel shared an emotional letter on Instagram, unveiling for the first time the intricate details of his personal connection with Cuba—a story that began 26 years ago and ultimately led the Fast & Furious franchise to film on the island.
The actor and producer recounted that when he first read the script for the franchise, the character Dom Toretto was depicted as the owner of a Cuban bodega in New York. This reference inspired Diesel to travel to Cuba without any budget or team to grasp the essence of the character. "I traveled there to find it. No budget. No team. Just me trying to understand the spirit behind the character's origin," he noted.
During this journey, a Cuban woman recognized him from a pirated VHS copy of Pitch Black—the film that catapulted him into stardom in 2000—and helped him settle a hotel bill that his credit cards could not cover. This experience profoundly impacted him, leading him to make a vow: "Someday, I would bring the biggest Hollywood movie to that island."
Years later, Diesel partially fulfilled that promise by directing Los Bandoleros (2009), a 20-minute short film serving as a prequel to Fast & Furious 4. He did it for free, a rarity even within the franchise. "Of the eight directors who worked on this franchise, only I. My father always said never to do anything for free… haha. But the truth is, I would have paid them," Diesel explained.
According to Diesel, this was because of what Cuba and the Caribbean brought to the series: the Caribbean rhythm, the presence of cultural icons like Don Omar and Tego Calderón, the enduring love story between Dom and Letty—described as "the longest love story in cinema"—and the backstory of characters like Han. Diesel has repeatedly stated that the saga embodies the Cuban spirit.
This short film paved the way for the production of The Fate of the Furious (Fast & Furious 8) to film in Havana from April 21 to May 5, 2016, marking one of the first major Hollywood productions on the island since the 1959 Revolution. The scenes featured thrilling chases along the Malecón, the Capitolio, and the Hotel Nacional.
Vin Diesel's first video in Cuba during that shoot became one of the production's most talked-about moments. Cuban model Lisandra Delgado also shared stories of her time with the actor during those weeks of filming on the island.
The letter also reveals that the photo accompanying the post was taken in Cuba, alongside Charlize Theron, just before filming together for the first time. Diesel mentioned that they were supposed to share the screen in the 90s but he walked away from the project when told his dignity would cost him everything. Decades later, Theron played Cipher, the villain in the eighth installment, posing the film's central question: "What happens when Dom turns his back on family?"
The post, which garnered over 80,000 likes within hours, concludes with a reflection encapsulating the saga's spirit: "The road always knew where it was going. We just needed… faith." The final installment of the franchise, Fast Forever, is slated for release on March 17, 2028.
Vin Diesel's Connection with Cuba and Fast & Furious
Why did Vin Diesel travel to Cuba originally?
Vin Diesel traveled to Cuba to understand the spirit of his character, Dom Toretto, who was originally written as the owner of a Cuban bodega in New York.
What promise did Vin Diesel make to Cuba?
Vin Diesel promised to bring a major Hollywood movie to Cuba, a vow he fulfilled by filming parts of The Fate of the Furious on the island.
How did Vin Diesel’s trip to Cuba impact him?
During his trip to Cuba, a local woman helped him with a hotel bill when his credit cards failed, leaving a lasting impression and inspiring his promise to the island.