Ever since we learned Cardi B would appear in a minor role in "F9," we figured her appearance would be similar to Rita Ora's "Fast 6" cameo where announces the start of Letty and Dom's London race.
Boy, were we wrong.
Though you may be quick to dismiss the singer's role as a quick and unnecessary cameo, as we originally did, upon a second viewing of "Fast 9," we realized there's more to Cardi B's character than we previously thought.
This is your last chance to head back before spoilers.
Cardi B plays a fake police officer in 'F9'
When Dom gets arrested in the UK after Otto calls the police, he's put in the back of an Interpol truck.
Seconds later, the officers start removing their helmets one by one to reveal they're all women, led by Cardi B's character, Leysa.
Leysa has a short conversation with Dom in which she says "she'd still be stealing gas" in the Dominican Republic if it weren't for Dom. She also mentions having connections to Queenie (Helen Mirren).
Wait — how did Cardi B even wind up in 'F9'?
In a promotional video for the film, Cardi B mentioned that "Fast & Furious" star Vin Diesel invited her to be in the film.
"Vin Diesel reached out and he was talking about a role and I'm like, 'It's freakin' 'Fast and Furious.' Get me there. Put me on a plane," the singer said.
—#F9 (@TheFastSaga) June 15, 2021
Diesel said we'll see Leysa again in 'F10'
It's easy on a first watch to think this is just a simple cameo.
You're likely so thrown off by the singer's appearance that you may miss the dialogue, especially if you're in a theater with excited fans cheering.
But Cardi B's appearance won't be a one-off.
"We are very much excited to evolve her character and to expand it to the finale," Diesel told Entertainment Tonight of Cardi's character.
"F9" director Justin Lin told ET he's "excited" to explore Leysa more.
Leysa's dialogue actually helps viewers understand how deep her ties with Dom, and likely Han and Letty, run.
When Leysa mentions the Dominican Republic, fans will know she's referencing the beginning of 2009's fourth film in the franchise, "Fast & Furious," when Dom, Letty, Han, and others were stealing gas.
If you're a big fan of the franchise, you'll know Leysa's line cuts even deeper into the "Fast" mythology. In Diesel's 20-minute short film, "Los Bandoleros," which bridges "Tokyo Drift" and "Fast & Furious," where Dom is shown visiting family in the DR where gas is scarce.
It's there that Dom decides on the "Robin Hood" mission for the start of the 2009 film to help take care of extended family and the people in the DR. Apparently, Leysa is among the people Dom helped. If you know anything about the franchise, it's taught us that when Dom helps you out and earns your respect, people have his back for life.
Since Leysa mentions having ties to Queenie, we wouldn't be surprised to see Leysa and her all-female group back to help, espcecially if the Fast Fam needs help taking Cipher down.
And it likely won't just be Cardi B. If the last two films go all out, it's very possible we're going to see a giant homecoming, with many familiar faces from older "Fast" movies riding with Dom one last time before the saga closes
