Sung Kang Explains How Fast & Furious 9's Justice For Han Was Created

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Sung Kang reveals how the process of delivering Justice for Han in Fast & Furious 9 began. After the character's presumed death, he returns to The Fast Saga to join Dom's crew as they battle it out with Jakob and Cipher. But aside from the impending clash between the Toretto brothers, Han's return is one of the most anticipated plot lines in F9 especially considering how his murder has been handled in Fate of the Furious.

After more than two years of delay primarily due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is finally hitting theaters in June. Initial reactions for F9 have made their way online and while the general consensus claims that it's a perfectly enjoyable flick that delivers on big action sequences and family drama, there has been very little said about what can be expected from Han's return. Lin previously revealed that one of the reasons he decided to return to The Fast Saga is to deliver justice for Han — something that has been pushed by fans and eventually supported by some cast members.

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In a new interview with People, Kang details how exactly Lin's intention to follow through with Justice for Han in F9. Apparently the director didn't know that there was a push for the idea and was only made aware of it when they reunited at the anniversary of Better Luck Tomorrow — their first film together. Eventually, Lin called him back and told him that there might be a way to bring back Han in The Fast Saga.

We were at the 15th anniversary of Better Luck Tomorrow, and somebody had brought up this #JusticeForHan. And Justin wasn't aware of it, because I don't think he had seen 7 or 8, so he didn't understand what all that was about. We were always talking about it, going where could Han continue in that universe? We were also okay with just letting Han sleep. It's been a wonderful exit. He died multiple times, come on. Enough, right? But I think just the way the stars were aligned, the fans felt like there was some type of closure that was not given to them and there was this injustice. It's all fun and games, but it's also part of the Hollywood romance to be in love with a movie, a franchise or characters in a film. When Justin got the opportunity to start directing [F9], he was like, "Hey, just somehow we've got to bring Han back."

Then he figured it out and he called me. It was wasn't like this surprise, it was more like, "Hey, we get an opportunity to go play again and we get to see our old friends." Now there's purpose behind it, because you're not doing it just for yourself, there's a whole fan base that legitimized your work over the years. So how wonderful is that to have purpose, to say that you're fighting for justice and a belief for this Asian character. It's awesome.

Han actually originated from Better Luck Tomorrow. Lin previously introduced the character in his 2002 Asian-American-focused film before bringing him to The Fast Saga when he was tapped to helm The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Kang's role wasn't actually the primary lead of the movie but he was the enforcer of the troubled teens. While there's no official confirmation, both Lin and Kang said that Better Luck Tomorrow's Han is the same as the one in the Fast & Furious films. What's interesting is that the 2002 film motivated both instances of Han's entry in The Fast Saga.

While it's currently uncertain how Lin plans to accomplish Justice for Han, it's possible that the whole plotline won't be totally resolved in Fast & Furious 9. As it is, Deckard Shaw, who was behind the attempted murder is not appearing in the film, so it would be difficult to hold him accountable. That said, with two more films confirmed, this is something that can play out throughout the rest of The Fast Saga's run.