Vin Diesel talks coronavirus fears in Hollywood: 'We need movies now more than ever'
The coronavirus outbreak has thrown the entertainment industry for a loop, with major events like South by Southwest being canceled, the anticipated James Bond movie âNo Time to Dieâ shifting its release date from April to November and everybody wondering when the next shoe will drop.
One of the biggest upcoming movies is âF9â (in theaters May 22), the ninth installment of the mega-action âFast and Furiousâ franchise that stars Vin Diesel and has a huge international following.
During an interview Friday for his new superhero movie âBloodshotâ (out March 13), USA TODAY asked Diesel if there have been discussions about moving âF9.â He responded only that itâs âa great, great questionâ and framed his outlook on releasing projects during the current virus crisis through his âBloodshotâ military character.
âLet me put it to you this way: 'Bloodshot' at the end of the day is a soldier and a soldier doesn't decide or pick when or where he's deployed. We're going to go in,â he said.
Diesel, a producer on "Bloodshot" and the "Fast" films, "wonât fault anyone in the world for saying, âYou guys are stupid for releasing this movie right now.â â But, he added, âwe need movies now more than ever. We're already in a very interesting time where cinema and the cinematic experience is so threatened. So, yes, put it on record we're going to show up.â
On a personal level, the coronavirus threat hasnât affected the fan-first mindset of Diesel, whoâs known for the enthusiasm he brings to fan events and premieres for his movies, running around taking pictures and shaking everyoneâs hand.
âI love to show up for the audience and for the fans because God knows how much they've showed up for me,â Diesel said. âIâm crazy. I'm begging Sony to let me go to China, even now. And you should see everyone's faces like, âYou're going alone, buddy!' "
For Diesel, it comes down to having a romantic idea of movies and believing âthere is a magic to the cinematic experience. I like to support that in every single way,â he said. âMaybe the higher thinking is not to just focus on the box office, but know that we're all one world and we all have to get through this together.â
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vin Diesel on releasing 'Bloodshot,' 'F9' during coronavirus fears