‘Fast & Furious’ revs up for 15th anniversary re-release

May 25, 2016
FILE - In this June 18, 2001 file photo, from left, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Michelle Rodriguez, arrive at the world premiere of "The Fast and the Furious," in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Universal Pictures announced Wednesday, May 25, 2016 that it will re-release the film in a limited run on June 22, to commemorate its 15th anniversary. (AP Photo/Chris Weeks, File)

FILE – In this June 18, 2001 file photo, from left, Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Michelle Rodriguez, arrive at the world premiere of “The Fast and the Furious,” in the Westwood section of Los Angeles. Universal Pictures announced Wednesday, May 25, 2016 that it will re-release the film in a limited run on June 22, to commemorate its 15th anniversary. (AP Photo/Chris Weeks, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “The Fast and the Furious” is speeding back into theaters this summer in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the film that launched the improbable $3.9 billion franchise. Tickets are now on sale for the nationwide June 22 re-release, Universal Pictures said Wednesday.

The 2001 film about East Los Angeles street racers starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and the late Paul Walker was a big box office success, earning over $200 million worldwide, but no one at the time could have imagined its potential longevity. In the years and films since, the franchise has only grown in profitability and audience goodwill.

The most recent, “Furious 7,” earned over $1.5 billion globally in 2015. The eighth film is in production for a 2017 release, with 9 and 10 scheduled through 2021.