Hollywood Won’t Learn: It’s a White Summer Again

“Fast Five” opened huge by appealing to Latinos and African-Americans, but the lesson was lost on the rest of tentpole season’s slate

The lessons of “Fast Five” are apparently lost on a Hollywood that’s about to embark on its biggest season, the summer.

The Universal sequel exploded onto theater screens last weekend, raking in $86.2 million with an ethnically diverse cast that attracted an equally diverse audience.

Latinos represented almost as many moviegoers as whites (33% versus 35%), while African-Americans also turned out in force, according to studio figures.

Also read: Hollywood’s White-Hot Summer? (Slideshow)

The multi-racial cast starred Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, featured a Rio de Janeiro backdrop and was directed by Justin Lin, who scored the biggest-ever domestic debut for an Asian director.

Want to keep reading?

Create a free account, or log in with your email below.

 

Gain access to unlimited free articles, news alerts, select newsletters, podcasts and more.

 

Comments