TheFast and Furiousfamily is taking a loss – for now.Dwayne Johnsoncaused quite the stir when he andJason Stathamset course for their own spinoff,Hobbs and Shaw, based on the buff frienemy-bros first introduced asFastantagonists inFast 5andFast & Furious 6, respectively. The pair found their way to heroics along the way, but after stealing the show inThe Fate of the Furious, they took they’re dynamic duo to a new franchise starter and it sounds like they’ll be sitting outFast and Furious 9.
Johnson spoke with the folks at MTV News and revealed that, for now, there are no plans for him to appear in the sequel – and it starts shooting soon – but he might be back in the future.
Johnson explained,
“The plan has always been for the Fast and Furious universe to grow and expand. As of now, we’re not in Fast 9 because they’re getting ready to start shooting. But who knows with Fast 10 and down the road, you never know. Because look, at the end of the day, the truth is, there’s unfinished business between Hobbs and Dom. It’s unfinished.”
Now, he does throw in that “as of now,” which means a cameo could still come together (especially ifHobbs and Shawproves to be the biggest breadwinner of the franchise yet), but considering the behind-the-scenes tumult when the spinoff was announced, it would make sense if Hobbs and Shaw sat this one out. Either way, theFastfranchise will be fine. What started with some street racing and TV heists way back in 2001 has evolved into a globe-trotting superhuman adventure with more bald buff guys than a crossfit gym. No doubt, it will continue to evolve as cast member come and go, and there’s no doubt that Universal is going to make this billion-plus dollar franchise a priority no matter what that evolution demands.
For now, the next step isHobbs and Shaw, which recruitedDeadpool 2directorDavid Leitchand pits the deadly duo againstIdris Elba– possibly the only man cooler than the two of them combined.Hobbs and Shawarrives in theaters on July 26.
For more on theFurious-verse, check out the links below.
