Vin Diesel attending the world premiere of 'F9' in Los Angeles on June 18. — Reuters
LOS ANGELES: Vin Diesel had plenty to celebrate on Saturday night.Not only did he place the winning bid of US$70,000 for two court side seats at a Clippers game and a Breitling watch at a benefit for Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), but "F9: The Fast Saga" broke the weekend box office record since the onset of the pandemic.
Variety's Rebecca Rubin reported that the latest installment of Universal's "Fast & Furious" franchise brought in US$70 million from 4,179 North American theatres, unseating the $48.3 million record set by Paramount's "A Quiet Place Part II."
"I think what feels best is just the idea that people are returning to the theatrical experience," Diesel said. "It feels good to say, 'Cinema is back!'"
John Cena and Charlize Theron in a scene from 'F9'. — Universal Pictures
Diesel praised Universal for going all-in on a theatrical release, without also sending the film to streaming.
"You can't fault another studio for wanting to stream a movie, but the ones like Universal are bold enough to say, 'Hey, we're going to support the theatrical release,'" Diesel said. "I take my hat off to them."
Theron, who returns in "F9" after making her "Fast & Furious" debut in the eighth entry, said, "It's amazing. Just thinking about the fact that they're on their ninth movie, that's pretty impressive. It's a perfect movie to help us come back."
Franchise regular Jordana Brewster agreed: "It's really nice. It just feels good to be back in the theatre - period!"
Vin Diesel with Michelle Rodriguez. — Universal Pictures
The CTAOP fundraiser, produced by CH Cre8tive, follows its last outing in August 2020, which included a drive-in screening of "Mad Max: Fury Road" on top of the Grove parking structure and a Q&A with Theron and co-star Nicholas Hoult. Saturday's event was a mask-less get together on New York Street on the Universal Studios Lot.
A screening of "F9" followed a Q&A with Theron, Diesel, Brewster and director Justin Lin moderated by Paul Scheer and June Diane Raphael.
