APRIL FOOL: GMD shut down for filming of 'The Fast and the Furious 11'

Gulf of Mexico Drive will be shut down from April 1-15 to film a car chase in the eleventh installment of “The Fast and the Furious 11: The Final Chase.”

“I came to Longboat Key for the first time last year during peak season,” said director of “The Fast and the Furious 11,” Speedy Murray. “Driving down Gulf of Mexico Drive for the first time, I couldn’t get it out of my head how amazing a car chase would be here, especially since it’s the main street. You really can’t turn down the side streets to take a shortcut or cut someone off. That is just a whole different spin that not a lot of people would expect.” 

“The Fast and the Furious 11: The Final Chase” follows Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto as he tries to live a life of normalcy after many years of espionage, heists and thrills. 

After escaping to Florida where he believes that no one would find him, Toretto discovers a secret from an old friend that makes him doubt everything and everyone from his past. 

The car chase, which will take two weeks to film, is predicted to start on the north end of the island in the Longboat Village area zooming out and down 10 miles of Gulf of Mexico Drive. It will end with a huge explosion at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, creating the perfect cinematic chase filled with action and suspense.

Murray said that this is likely to be the last “The Fast and the Furious” film with Diesel. 

“What better way to end this era of his career than filming it in paradise?” said Rick Slick, spokesperson for Diesel.

Diesel and other cast members will be staying at different spots around the island. 

“This will be the perfect way to show off our beautiful island in one of the most famous franchises known to man,” said Norman C. Baggins, the new marketing director for the town of Longboat Key. 

Baggins shared that this will put Longboat Key on the map and attract new residents with different backgrounds. 

“We love welcoming new people to Longboat Key,” said Baggins. “Having these Fast and Furious fans and thrill-seekers will change the atmosphere of the island a little bit but will overall add some excitement to an already great town filled with well-rounded people.”

Since Gulf of Mexico Drive will be closed, there will be two ways to get around the Key. 

A temporary Longboat Key water ferry will be available with four stops on the bay side. There will also be a shuttle service using repurposed school buses that will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of filming while making stops throughout the island. A complete schedule and route map is still pending.

“The Fast and the Furious 11” is also looking for extras for the film. 

Murray said he would love to have most of the extras be from Longboat Key to make the scene as authentic as possible. Extras must be able to swim, run a 10K race and jump out of a moving vehicle.