The Poster Memorabilia blog

A Fast & Furious Mission to Get Autographs

Years of near-misses, four supporting signatures, and one emotional night at the Furious 7 premiere.

By an anonymous Hollywood insider

I don't care what anybody says, The Fast and the Furious still holds up today. I'm talking about the first movie, by the way. It was fresh, exciting, and hot—everything you'd want in a movie. I know the franchise has become annoying over the years, but the first film is still so good.

It's also special to me because it's the first movie I loved enough to get a poster of. My friend used to work at the nearby AMC, and he saved up tons of movie posters over the years. When he told me he'd give me one for my birthday one year, I immediately knew which one I wanted. He didn't even have to wait for my answer, either. He knew I was gonna say The Fast and the Furious.

The poster hung in my apartment for a couple of years until I thought of a great idea: why not get it signed? I already lived in LA, and I'd already seen some of the cast in person, out and about in the city, so getting their autographs on it wasn't impossible. At least, that's what I thought at first.

Little did I know that it'd actually take me a couple of years to get to the main cast. By the time I started on this “mission,” Paul Walker had already died, so I was never gonna get his. So I was more determined to get the rest of the lead foursome: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster.

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I was so ready to ask for their autographs that I forgot something. These were big stars! The Fast & Furious franchise might not be the most popular, but it's still pretty huge. It made sense that its stars rose to A-list status and weren't easy to meet. Even at the premieres of its many sequels, I always failed to get their autographs.

Ironically, I had no trouble catching the first movie's supporting cast. Matt Schulze, Rick Yune, Chad Lindberg, and Ja Rule turn up at fan conventions, autograph shows, and events around LA more often than you'd think. With tips from fellow autograph hounds about their upcoming appearances, it didn't take much for me to meet them and ask for their autographs.

When I got these four signatures, I became even more determined to get the main cast. That day finally came when Furious 7 premiered in Los Angeles on April 1, 2015. It was the first installment after Walker died in 2013, so it was a special night all around.

“That moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

I'm actually grateful I finally met the main trio and got their autographs at that premiere. Asking them to sign the poster of their very first movie together, after a promotional tour filled with Paul Walker tributes, must've meant a lot to them too. At least, I hope it did.

Diesel, Rodriguez, and Brewster were all smiles as they signed my poster, but I couldn't help but feel that they were also very emotional. I didn't see it on their faces, but I just know they were. And honestly, it made me regret not getting Walker's autograph even more.

I'm still proud of what I got. That moment will stay with me for the rest of my life. Just like this amazing piece of movie memorabilia with all their autographs on it.

Some things you watch. This one you keep.

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