Fast X Missed The Perfect Opportunity For A Hobbs And Shaw Cameo
Contains spoilers for "Fast X."
The first installment in the supposed three-part finale of The Fast Saga, "Fast X" pulls out all the stops — especially when it comes to casting. Pretty much every core cast member that could logically — or, honestly, even illogically — return to join Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) for one last ride appears at some point. Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson overcame his Kahndaq-sized feud with Diesel to swing by for a surprisingly thrilling mid-credits scene. However, there is one omission from the cast that — while not immediately noticeable — is almost unforgivable.
During one of the film's subplots in which Jakob Toretto (John Cena, returning from "F9") helps Dom's son, "Little B," escape Agent Aimes' (Alan Ritchson) viscous manhunt, the plot finds them trapped on a commercial airliner in need of supplies. Ultimately, a flight attendant comes to their aid, played by Meadow Rain Walker, the daughter of late franchise star Paul Walker.
In addition to being a touching, subtle nod to Walker, the scene is a fine solution that gets Jakob and Little B to their flying, Smirnoff-fueled canoe as quickly as possible — but it undeniably misses a cameo opportunity so huge, so perfect, we can't help but wonder what could have been. What if, instead of a flight attendant, the series brought back a hilarious commercial airline employee already well known to "Fast and Furious" fans everywhere — the "Hobbs & Shaw'" Air Marshal, Dinkley, played by world-famous comedian Kevin Hart?
Who is Air Marshal Dinkley?
If you didn't binge-watch all ten preceding films (or skipped the bizarre spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw" entirely), Kevin Hart's role as Dinkley seemed at first to be written as yet another forced celebrity cameo, in the same style as Pete Davidson in "Fast X" or Cardi B in "F9." But even aside from the fact that Hart has a unique and genuinely entertaining chemistry with Johnson (of course, thanks to their longtime friendship), Hart's Dinkley stands out by actually playing a key role in the plot.
During his brief comedic scene on the plane, Dinkley mentions that he was once a member of Sabre Squad Echo, which seems to impress both Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham). He boasts that he has serious connections and resources at his disposal, and — despite his awkward, desperate bravado — he surprisingly comes through when the team needs to escape to Samoa. This moment elevates Hart's cameo to something meaningful to the development of the story, thus also making his character all the more memorable.
While Hart's character did not return for "Fast X," Meadow Rain Walker is excellent as the mysterious, clandestine flight attendant that hooks Jakob up. Hopefully, we'll get to learn more about her and her relationship with the Torettos in future films. And maybe fans can even hope to eventually get a cameo from Air Marshal Dinkley in the future.