Vin Diesel Says ‘Fast Five’ Has Good Oscar Chances

If you never thought you could put “Fast and Furious” and Oscar in the same sentence, you thought wrong, the franchise’s star Vin Diesel believes. In a recent interview for the LA Times, the actor admits he resents the misconception that “Fast Five” is just another popcorn movie.

With very good reviews and an excellent star, the fifth film in the franchise, “Fast Five” broke records at the box office, prompting the announcement for a sequel within days of the official release.

Nevertheless, “Fast Five” is not just a movie about cars and the gorgeous men (and women) driving them. It could very well be in the running for an Oscar next year because it also has some serious acting as well, Diesel says.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some Oscar talk around this. I don’t know, maybe I’m just biting off what some guy from Channel 7 thought,” Diesel says “with a chuckle.”

With this, he’s trying to point out there’s more about the latest “Fast and Furious” film that some would like other to believe: it’s more of a heist movie and, as such, it also showcases some serious acting.

It’s only a matter of time before people get to realize that, Diesel believes.

“But sooner or later, people are gonna say, ‘Wait a minute, just because they are for the working class doesn’t mean they’re not great’,” says the actor.

Justin Lin, who directed the last 3 films in the franchise, calls them part of a “working class” franchise, but also resents the idea that they can be labeled so easily as popcorn movies.

There’s more to them, he says, and the very fact that the franchise has been around for years, making billions at the box office and keeping fans happy, should be enough indication of that.

“There are so many times where I work with people and they think that ‘Fast and Furious’ is just putting neon lights on a car,” Lin says.

He doesn’t go as far as to say the film may land an Oscar nomination or even award in February 2012. For the time being, it’s just Diesel who’s expressed his belief about that.