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Brandon Scott: From an analytical standpoint...I would likely echo David to a large extent. I don't know if it would have opened THIS big, but still, I think the idea is that this is the true sequel. I have only seen the first, so maybe I should see this (critically bashed that it is) as the true sequel. Ultimately, this reinforces the ability of Diesel to be a draw at the box office I mean, the Pacifier did well after all, and those who saw Boiler Room know that he is capable of acting. He just doesn't seem to show it/display it much these days. Walker is a different entity entirely, though. Into the Blue, had him and Jess Alba and it still didn't do anything to my recollection. I don't think Walker is capable of acting whatsoever, with his best effort being the under-seen, and actually pretty entertaining, Running Scared.

Kim Hollis: I don't think I credit it to the "acrimonious" departure of Diesel, but I do think I credit the success to Diesel to a large part. The series is able to put some unfinished storylines to bed as they're able to resolve some of the conflict between Dom and Brian and take them in some new directions. And in the process, it looks like they probably can add a fifth film to the franchise and expect some level of success. I guess people really liked the "getting the gang back together" aspect of the movie.

It looks like both of them have been juicing plenty already

Kim Hollis: Who gets the most juice from this, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, or the next couple of Fast and the Furious films?

David Mumpower: A rising tide lifts all boats here. A couple of weeks ago, I would have laughed at the notion of Paul Walker as Captain America, but I half-expect that deal to be signed this month because of this. With regards to Vin Diesel, who is still only 41, all is forgiven for the abominations that were Babylon A.D. and Find Me Guilty. What people are going to remember from this period of his career now will be The Pacifier and this whereas it should have been A Man Apart, The Chronicles of Riddick and the two films I just mentioned. He instantly changes from being perceived a guy who makes poor career decisions to the star of three $40+ million openers with Fast & Furious, The Fast and the Furious, and xXx as well as a $30 million one with The Pacifier (I'm not counting Saving Private Ryan since that wasn't because of him). He's back in a big way as worldwide audiences (he's one of the most popular actors abroad) have just clearly established to him the roles they want to see him play. He's expected to be an action hero, not an actor, whether he likes it or not. As for the franchise itself, this is a Westley from The Princess Bride scenario. It went from dead to mostly dead to slightly alive to heroic once more. Universal effectively closed their eyes and swung as hard as they could, thereby almost accidentally hitting the ball out of the ballpark.

Brandon Scott: I don't know how the "franchise" aspect of this plays out. I think it was clear in the first place that Diesel thought he was above it after the first, and now, clearly, he will be the recipient of the most financial rewards based on this film's performance. There is no denying that he is the "marquee" name here and I think he will indeed get plenty of action offers as David suggested. I don't know that he will come back for another sequel, though, and I don't know that the franchise really keeps going forward from here to be honest. I haven't seen the film. I don't know if it is open-ended (not that it really matters) but I think he and Walker will get more work and the women will continue to be tokens of sorts, although Rodriguez has steadily worked (playing the same girl in every movie she has ever done). "Hi, I am mean and I scowl a lot and I am somewhat of a "reluctant" sex symbol, despite my real life leanings." As Bruno said in his new trailer, "I don't know whether you know this or not, but I'm gay." So MRod will still work, and Brewster I don't expect we will still see that much of. Derek Jeter was her biggest moment prior to this, and may still end up being so.

Kim Hollis: I think the sad reality is that Fast & Furious gets Paul Walker more movies because studios will believe that he is a draw. Diesel will benefit as well, but I've always rather liked him in the right roles so I'm less bothered by that. As I mentioned previously, the one thing I think we can be sure of is that there will be at least one more Fast & Furious movie. The box office for opening weekend has proven to the studio that it's a money-maker.

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