| Los Bandoleros | |
| Caption: | Promotional poster |
| Director: | Vin Diesel |
| Cinematography: | Shawn Kim |
| Distributor: | Universal Pictures |
| Runtime: | 20 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
Los Bandoleros is a 2009 American direct-to-video short film written and directed by Vin Diesel. It is the second short film in the Fast & Furious franchise and serves as the prequel to Fast & Furious (2009). It stars Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Sung Kang, Tego Calderón, and Don Omar. In the film, runaway fugitive Dominic Toretto (Diesel) sets up the hijacking of a fuel tanker in the Dominican Republic.
Development for this short film began following the announcement of Fast & Furious (2009), and serves as a narrative bridge and a sequel following the events of The Fast and the Furious (2001), The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003). The film was released in the United States on July 28, 2009, as part of the Blu-ray and Special Edition home releases of Fast & Furious (2009).[1]
Dominic Toretto recruits Han Lue and Rico Santos to help Tego Leo, Dom's associate, escape from a prison in the Dominican Republic. Dom, having lived as a fugitive in the country for the last five years, and his crew organize a meet with local politician Elvis to set up the hijacking of a fuel tanker; Elvis seeks to exploit the fallout for a political advantage, while Dom and his crew wish to give away the fuel to Rico's aunt, Rabia, and their local community.
Cara and Malo, two of Dom's friends, accompany the rest of the crew to a nightclub to meet Elvis, who arranges the robbery to take place on a highway the following morning. Dom is then surprised by the arrival of Letty Ortiz, who drive together to a beach and rekindle their romance.
The central cast is rounded out by appearances from Juan Fernandez as Elvis, a local politician who helps organize the hijacking. Mirtha Michelle and F. Valentino Morales feature as Cara and Malo respectively, friends of both Dom and Rico. Adria Carrasco also appears as Rubia, Rico's aunt.
Los Bandoleros is said to "hold together the entire Fast & Furious timeline"[2] and to ensure a certain continuity in the franchise.[3] [4] [5] [6]