The cast of “Fast and Furious” along with Universal executives are ready to cut the chain ribbon at the “Fast and Furious— Supercharged” world premiere held at the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot. ©Universal Studios. CR: David Sprague.
By PETERSON GONZAGA
Front Row Features
HOLLYWOOD—”Fast and Furious” cars and cast members took over the backlot Tuesday creating a speed zone of Universal Studios Hollywood’s backlot as they celebrated the world premiere of the new thrill ride “Fast and Furious—Supercharged.” It serves as the grand finale of the Universal Studios Tour, which also is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The red carpet was rolled out for the thrill ride premiere that consists of fast car chases immersing guests into the action through the fusion of 3D audio and HD imagery with hydraulics used to simulate the ride perceived in an excess of 120 mph in this motion-based ride. During the studio tour tram ride, interstitial content filmed with cast members is featured on the tram monitors, highlighting interactions as the cast engages guests as they head to the climactic ride.
Universal’s Executive Creative Director Chick Russell said, “We wanted to have a grand finale to our studio tour. We saw how popular ‘Fast and Furious’ was. In fact, the film feels like a thrill ride in itself so why not create a thrill ride based on the film, and that’s what we did.”
The world premiere presentation event was a thrill ride in itself as cars raced into the event platform area with exciting music and the “Pitstop Girls” entertaining the crowd with their dance moves. Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Jason Statham brought their star power to the red carpet. The main event was to cut a ribbon made out of chains when the foursome along with Universal executives and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti were interrupted by federal agents taking control of the event. That control ended as stuntmen took control of the cars with the culmination of one of the muscle cars flying into the air smashing through the “Fast and Furious” billboard with confetti and smoke filling the studio’s backlot.
Universal Studios Hollywood guests can supercharge their ride through the theme park’s new web app. Fans can join the conversation and share photos using #FastFuriousRide.
