Dom's Beer Choice: The Fast And Furious Brew

The Fast and Furious franchise has been devoted to a single beer brand since the beginning: Corona. In the first film, Dominic Toretto, the franchise's hulking, hairless patriarch, offers Brian O'Conner a beer with the now-iconic line: You can have any brew you want... as long as it's a Corona.

Corona has since become a staple of the franchise, with the beer appearing whenever Dom's team is celebrating or reconciling. In fact, Corona is so integral to Dom's character that it's been theorised to represent family in the Fast and Furious films.

Corona is not product placement

The Corona beer brand has been a staple of the Fast and Furious franchise since the beginning. In the first film, Dominic Toretto, the franchise's hulking, hairless patriarch, utters the now-iconic line, "You can have any brew you want... as long as it's a Corona." Since then, Corona has appeared in several key moments throughout the films, often during celebrations or reconciliations among the crew.

Despite the prominent placement of Corona in the Fast and Furious films, it is not a product placement in the traditional sense. According to the franchise's creators, the inclusion of Corona was a creative decision that reflected the setting and character development of the story. Rob Cohen, who developed and directed the first film, explained that Corona seemed like an iconic Southern California beer, fitting for the multicultural cast he was trying to build. Corona's popularity in California and its significant Hispanic and Asian consumer base aligned with the diverse "family" depicted in the film.

The arrangement between the Fast and Furious franchise and Corona was also notably informal and did not involve a financial exchange. In the initial film, Corona provided free beer and granted permission to use their name. This stands in contrast to typical product placement deals, which often involve substantial financial agreements.

The absence of a financial agreement between the two parties is particularly noteworthy given the significant brand exposure and advertising value Corona gained from its association with the franchise. Over the years, Corona has become a unifying symbol and a tool for self-reference and awareness within the Fast and Furious films. It has been estimated that the product placement value for Corona from all of the films is about $15.3 million.

While Corona does not pay to be in the movies, its presence in the Fast and Furious franchise extends beyond mere product placement. It has become an integral part of the films' character development and world-building, contributing to the sense of family and camaraderie that is central to the franchise's appeal.

It's character development

In the first film of the Fast and Furious franchise, Dominic Toretto, the franchise's hulking, hairless patriarch, offers a beer to Brian O'Conner, a mysterious rookie in the racing scene who has just become his new friend. "You can have any brew you want," Dom says, "as long as it's a Corona."

This line, and the Corona beer, became a part of the canon. Over the course of 16 years and eight installments, Corona became a staple of the franchise, almost always appearing whenever Dom's team was celebrating or reconciling. It was theorized that Corona represented family in the Fast and Furious films.

Corona was notably absent from the second and third films, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift, in which Dom was not a major part. It also did not appear in Fast Five, which was set in Brazil. In these instances, it is implied that Dom does not feel at home.

Corona's absence from The Fate of the Furious, the eighth film in the franchise, is particularly significant. In the final scene, Dom toasts his crew with a bottle of Budweiser. This is especially strange because, in the first film, Dom refuses to let Brian drink anything but Corona.

According to Chris Morgan, who wrote the screenplays for every film since the third, Corona is essential to Dom's character. "It's part of Dom's character. It just is."

Corona is more than just a product placement in the Fast and Furious films. It signifies Dom's LA roots and his friendship with Brian. It is a symbol of home, family, and comfort. Its absence in The Fate of the Furious could be interpreted as a sign that Dom is not being himself or that he is feeling homesick.

It's a symbol of home

The Corona beer that Dominic Toretto, the patriarch of the Fast and Furious franchise, drinks is more than just a product placement. It is a symbol of home, family, and friendship.

In the first film, "The Fast and the Furious", Dom welcomes Brian O'Conner, a rookie in the racing scene, into his home and offers him a beer with the now-iconic line, "You can have any brew you want... as long as it's a Corona". This line sets the tone for the rest of the franchise, with Corona becoming synonymous with Dom and his crew.

Corona is notably absent from the second and third films, "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Tokyo Drift", which also happen to be the films where Dom is not a major part. However, it makes a triumphant return in the fourth film, "Fast & Furious", where Dom and Brian are seen reconciling over Coronas.

The beer is more than just a drink for Dom; it represents his roots in LA and the multicultural family he has created. It is a symbol of home, a touchstone for the theme of family, and a sign of friendship and camaraderie. In the seventh film, "Furious 7", Mr. Nobody, a mysterious government agent, shows his understanding of Dom by offering him a Corona, demonstrating that he knows the man and not just his wrap sheet.

The absence of Corona in the eighth film, "The Fate of the Furious", is notable and carries a deeper meaning. Dom is seen drinking Budweiser instead of his usual Corona, indicating that something is amiss. The lack of Corona symbolizes that Dom is not himself, and the comfort and family he usually associates with the beer are missing. The absence of Coronas in this film reflects the absence of Brian, Dom's best friend, who is written out of the film following the tragic death of actor Paul Walker.

The return of Coronas in the ninth film, "F9", signifies a return to family and home for Dom. The beer has become so intertwined with the character that its presence or absence carries a powerful message about Dom's state of mind and the dynamics of his crew.

It's a symbol of family

The Corona beer in the Fast and Furious franchise is more than just a product placement. It is a symbol of family, home, and friendship.

In the first film, "The Fast and the Furious", Dom makes his first overture of friendship to Brian by handing him a Corona, saying, "You can have any beer you want, as long as it's a Corona." This line has become heavily associated with the character of Dom and sets the tone for the role that Corona beer will play in the franchise.

Corona beer is notably absent from the second and third films, "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Tokyo Drift", which also happen to be the films where Vin Diesel's character, Dom, is not a major part. Corona makes a return in the fourth film, "Fast & Furious", where Brian and Dom are seen reconciling over Coronas, further solidifying the beer's association with family and friendship.

The writer of the franchise, Chris Morgan, confirms that Corona is essential to Dom's character. In an interview, he states, "It's part of Dom's character. It just is." Corona represents Dom's LA roots, as it is an iconic Southern California beer. It also represents the multicultural family that Dom has created, as Corona has significant contingents of Hispanic and Asian consumers.

The use of Corona in the films is a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to capture the authenticity of LA's car scene and the spirit of family and friendship that is central to the franchise. Even though Corona does not pay for product placement in the films, its presence adds depth and emotion to the story, especially when it comes to Dom's character.

The absence of Corona in certain films, such as "The Fate of the Furious", is also significant. In this film, Dom is seen drinking Budweiser instead of his usual Corona. This deviation from the norm signifies that something is amiss and that Dom is not himself. The lack of Corona implies a sense of displacement and a lack of comfort and family that Dom feels, especially in light of Brian's disappearance.

The return of Corona in the ninth film, "F9", mirrors the return of Brian to the franchise and symbolizes the restoration of Dom's sense of home and family. Thus, the Corona beer in the Fast and Furious franchise is more than just a drink—it is a symbol of family, unity, and the strong bonds that the characters share.

It's a symbol of friendship

In the Fast and Furious franchise, Corona beer is a symbol of friendship, family, and home. The iconic line, "You can have any brew you want, as long as it's a Corona," uttered by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) in the first film, established Corona as an integral part of the series.

Corona is more than just a product placement; it represents the spirit of family and friendship that is central to the franchise. In the movies, Corona is often present during scenes of celebration, reconciliation, and family meals, symbolizing the bond between Dom and his crew. It is a way to signify time and place, with Corona being closely associated with Dom's LA roots and the multicultural cast of characters.

The absence of Corona in certain films, such as "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Tokyo Drift," where Dom is not a major part, further emphasizes its connection to his character. The return of Corona in the fourth film, along with Dom, reinforces the idea that the beer represents his presence and the sense of family that he brings to the crew.

The use of Corona in the franchise is also notable because it was not a result of a typical product placement deal. The writers and director chose to include Corona to capture the authenticity of LA's car scene and the multicultural nature of Dom's family. This adds to the sense of realism and helps ground the outrageous action sequences and stunts in a world that feels familiar to the audience.

The theory that Corona symbolizes friendship and family is further supported by its connection to the character Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker). In the first film, Dom offers Brian a Corona as a gesture of friendship, and throughout the franchise, the two are often seen drinking Coronas together. In "The Fate of the Furious," the absence of Corona is notable and theorized to be linked to Brian's absence, as the beer represents the comfort and family that Dom feels when Brian is by his side.

In conclusion, Corona beer in the Fast and Furious franchise is more than just a drink; it is a symbol of friendship, family, and home. It adds depth to the characters, provides a sense of continuity, and helps establish the franchise's unique world, creating an enduring connection with the audience.

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