Jordana Brewster on Fast Five, Maturing Onscreen and the Chance of a Sixth Fast & Furious Film

Last week, Movieline spoke with with Fast Five star Tyrese Gibson to get the male perspective on being part of such a lucrative, testosterone-driven franchise. Eager to get another take, we reached out to Jordana Brewster, who has played the sole heroine of the car heist series since day one. The Yale graduate eagerly discussed her growing role in Fast Five (which is released on DVD and Blu-ray this week), a potential sixth installment and her own meager knowledge of automobiles.

It seems like even five movies in, Fast & Furious continues to grow more and more popular at the box office. Did you have any idea that it would be such a lasting franchise when you signed on?

No! When we signed on, I was in high school and I didn't know much about car culture. I didn't even have my license at the time, so I knew that we were making a movie about cars but I don't think any of us knew that we were onto something so special that would keep growing. Justin [Lin] is really amazing in that he keeps building on it without taking the fans for granted. He knows that he's got to keep expanding and he does that by taking us to new places like Rio de Janeiro and adding characters like Dwayne Johnson's character. Our fans are amazing and so loyal.

And not just the fans but the critics also seem to have a certain respect for this franchise. Have you always felt the critics' support as well?

I stopped reading reviews like two or three movies in, so I try not to pay too much attention to that. But if they did, that's awesome.

Has your knowledge of cars expanded tremendously since the first movie?

Well, I still don't drive a stick. I did take one class, but I was so hopeless, I just said, "I'm not going to get this" and gave that up. I do love driving and appreciate it more. There's no way you can't living in Los Angeles. I also have developed an appreciation for just beautiful cars like the GT40 I drove in Fast Five. I was like, "Oh my gosh, I love the lines on that car." But then someone like Paul will know what's going into the engine and how you fix that car if it breaks down. I'm not that savvy.

Do you feel any pressure to drive an awesome car in real life?

No, I mean, I drive a Range Rover Sport which I really love. My dream car would be a Maserati. That would be amazing.

Fast Five was such a fun movie to watch. What was the most fun scene to shoot?

My favorite scene by far was the foot chase that we shot in Puerto Rico. Paul and I got to do all of these stunts which was so much fun for me -- not just as an actor because I got to kick ass and jump off roofs -- but because my character, Mia, got to grow and be on the run with the boys. That was something that Justin and I had talked about, and it was really important to evolve.

Did you have to do some strong convincing to let Justin do your own stunts?

No, Justin was like, "I'm going to push you on this one." It was just time for her -- and me -- to be on the run with the boys and protect her family. She had a lot more at stake on this movie.

How do you unwind from being on such an action-heavy, testosterone-fueled set every day?

I meditate, which I really like. Just 20 minutes twice a day and that really helps. It's funny because when you watch the movie it seems like it's constant adrenaline but there's so much stopping and starting on set that everyone is pretty mellow. That's the only way to keep your sanity.

[SPOILER ALERT] How did you react when you found out that Mia was going to be pregnant in this movie?

I was excited, because story-wise, I thought it helped up the ante for her and it helped her and [Paul Walker's character] Brian become closer.

How do you think this will change the trajectory of the franchise?

I don't know. I'm excited to see where they'll take it if there's a sixth movie.

Have you heard anything about a sixth movie yet?

Nothing official, but I would be up for it. It's so much fun because you're working with your friends and you're working with these people that you have a shorthand with.

How much feedback do you get from female fans?

I think I've gotten the most feedback on this one because Mia was stronger and on the run with the boys and involved in the action. Because she was a stronger female character, I did get a great response. I hear from them on Twitter about the action sequences. And yes, I still get a lot of questions about Paul and what it's like to work with him. [Laughs]