THEN AND NOW: How the 'Fast and the Furious' cast has changed since the first movie was released 20 years ago

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THEN AND NOW: How the 'Fast and the Furious' cast has changed since the first movie was released 20 years ago

Danielle Jackson contributed to a previous version of this article.

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Vin Diesel plays Dominic Toretto, an ex-convict turned mechanic who leads a team of elite street racers.

Vin Diesel plays Dominic Toretto, an ex-convict turned mechanic who leads a team of elite street racers.
Vin Diesel in "The Fast and the Furious." Universal Pictures

The actor had been in a handful of films already, like 2000's "Boiler Room" and the sci-fi horror movie "Pitch Black," but his fame skyrocketed when he was cast as Dom in the series' first film. Diesel also voices Groot in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Diesel will return in "F9," this time facing his brother named Jakob (played by John Cena).

Diesel will return in "F9," this time facing his brother named Jakob (played by John Cena).
Vin Diesel in "Fast and Furious 9." Universal Pictures

In "The Fate of the Furious," Dom went rogue to protect his son. In the next installment, it looks like he'll be balancing parenting with more heists.

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Dom's love interest, Letty Ortiz, is played by Michelle Rodriguez.

Dom's love interest, Letty Ortiz, is played by Michelle Rodriguez.
Michelle Rodriguez in "The Fast and the Furious." Universal Pictures

Letty has been part of the street racing crew since the beginning of the series, and she's undergone a few twists of her own. After disbanding the crew in "Fast and Furious," Dom discovered that Letty was murdered, only to later find out in "Fast and Furious 6" that she survived a major accident, but began working against him after suffering from amnesia.

Rodriguez will also reprise her role in the new film.

Rodriguez will also reprise her role in the new film.
Nathalie Emmanuel and Michelle Rodriguez in "Fast and Furious 9." Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

In the eighth film, Letty and Dom's honeymoon was interrupted by Charlize Theron's villain named Cipher.

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Paul Walker was introduced as Brian O'Conner in the first film.

Paul Walker was introduced as Brian O'Conner in the first film.
Paul Walker as Brian O'Connor in "The Fast and the Furious." Universal

Brian was an undercover cop investigating Dom and his team after hearing news of the group hijacking trucks for their equipment.

Due to Walker's tragic and sudden death in 2013, his character was written out of the film series.

Due to Walker's tragic and sudden death in 2013, his character was written out of the film series.
Paul Walker as Brian O'Connor in "Furious 7." Universal Pictures

Walker stuck around as a main cast member for five of the next six films, but died in a car accident in the middle of filming "Furious 7." The film – along with its lead song, "See You Again," by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth – was dedicated to his memory after its 2015 release.

"F9" director Justin Lin told Insider's Kirsten Acuna that he's "constantly" thinking about the best way to honor the late actor as the franchise comes to a close with its 10th and 11th movies.

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Brian's investigation in the first film started to get a little complicated when he fell for Dom's younger sister Mia, played by Jordana Brewster.

Brian's investigation in the first film started to get a little complicated when he fell for Dom's younger sister Mia, played by Jordana Brewster.
Jordana Brewster in "The Fast and the Furious." Universal Pictures

She's a fast driver, though she initially didn't get too involved in Dom's heists or races.

Mia and Brian eventually got married and had a son named Jack.

Mia and Brian eventually got married and had a son named Jack.
Jordana Brewster in "Fast and Furious 9." Universal Pictures
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Tyrese Gibson's character, Roman Pearce, was added to the cast in the second film, "2 Fast 2 Furious."

Tyrese Gibson's character, Roman Pearce, was added to the cast in the second film, "2 Fast 2 Furious."
Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce in "2 Fast 2 Furious." Universal Pictures

Roman was a childhood friend of Brian's who was recently released from prison when he showed up in "2 Fast 2 Furious." In the film, he teamed up with Brian to take down a Miami drug lord.

He's since become a recurring character and member of the "Fast" family.

He's since become a recurring character and member of the "Fast" family.
Tyrese Gibson in "Fast and Furious 9." Universal Pictures

Gibson has starred in several of the "Fast and Furious" films, and will return as Roman in "F9." Based on the trailers, it looks like he might be headed to space.

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Chris "Ludacris" Bridges first appeared as Tej Parker in "2 Fast 2 Furious."

Chris "Ludacris" Bridges first appeared as Tej Parker in "2 Fast 2 Furious."
Ludacris in "2 Fast 2 Furious." Universal Pictures

He's a former racer whose tech knowledge comes in handy for Dom's team.

He returned to the series for "Fast Five" as an official member of Dom's crew, and has appeared in every installment to follow.

He returned to the series for "Fast Five" as an official member of Dom's crew, and has appeared in every installment to follow.
Ludacris in "Fast and Furious 9." Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Most of his scenes or dialogue involve witty banter with Roman. He'll reprise his role again in "F9."

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"Game of Thrones" alum Nathalie Emmanuel joined the franchise as a hacker named Ramsey in "Furious 7."

"Game of Thrones" alum Nathalie Emmanuel joined the franchise as a hacker named Ramsey in "Furious 7."
Nathalie Emmanuel in "Fast and Furious 7." Universal Pictures

She created a program called God's Eye, which could hack anything on the digital network, from phones to satellites.

Ramsey will be back in "F9."

Ramsey will be back in "F9."
Nathalie Emmanuel in "Fast and Furious 9." Universal Pictures

In one of the trailers for the upcoming film, she revealed to the team that she doesn't actually know how to drive.

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays Agent Luke Hobbs who joined the cast in 2011 for "Fast Five."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays Agent Luke Hobbs who joined the cast in 2011 for "Fast Five."
Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs in "Fast Five." Universal Pictures

Luke is a bounty hunter who originally went after Dom and the gang with a plan to arrest them when they fled to Brazil.

That plan was a bust, and Luke eventually joined forces with them to hunt down an infamous Brazilian crime lord.

That plan was a bust, and Luke eventually joined forces with them to hunt down an infamous Brazilian crime lord.
Dwayne Johnson in "The Fate of the Furious." Universal Pictures

Hobbs returned in the eighth film, then starred in a spin-off with Jason Statham called "Hobbs & Shaw."

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Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham, served as the villain of "Furious 7."

Deckard Shaw, played by Jason Statham, served as the villain of "Furious 7."
Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw in "Furious 7." Universal Pictures

Deckard Shaw is the older brother of Owen Shaw, the antagonist of "Fast and Furious 6."

In the eighth movie, he helped Dom's team.

In the eighth movie, he helped Dom's team.
Jason Statham in "The Fate of the Furious." Universal Pictures

Deckhard and Owen helped to rescue Dom's son, who was kidnapped by Cipher.

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Gal Gadot first appeared as Gisele Yashar in "Fast and Furious."

Gal Gadot first appeared as Gisele Yashar in "Fast and Furious."
Gal Gadot in "Fast and Furious." Universal Studios

At the time, she served as a liaison for the film's villain named Arturo Braga. Later in the movie, Dom saved her from being hit during a shootout.

Gisele sacrificed herself to help the team in "Fast and Furious 6."

Gisele sacrificed herself to help the team in "Fast and Furious 6."
Gal Gadot in "Fast and Furious 6." Universal Pictures

She seemingly died in the film, though viewers never actually saw the body.

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Sung Kang joined the franchise in 2006's"The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."

Sung Kang joined the franchise in 2006's"The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."
Sung Kang in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." Universal

His car went up in flames near the end of the movie after a race. Despite his apparent death, Kang returned as Han in later installments of the franchise that were set before the events of "Tokyo Drift."

Han, who was believed to be dead, will be back in "F9."

Han, who was believed to be dead, will be back in "F9."
Sung Kang in "F9." Universal Pictures

The end credits scene of the sixth movie revealed that Deckard was responsible for the death of Han in Tokyo. "F9" will explain how Han survived.

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