Though Fast and Furious 9 is slightly over a year away from release, much of the focus right now is on the upcoming spinoff movie Hobbs and Shaw, which will see Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham’s characters team up against a new villain played by Idris Elba. But once the David Leitch-helmed film has arrived in cinemas, it seems that it could be a long wait before we see Luke Hobbs back on our screens.
Speaking to MTV News, Johnson clarified that he isn’t returning for Fast and Furious 9, before adding that he may still come back for the tenth and reportedly final installment:
“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.”
Like Johnson says, the Fast and Furious franchise is currently in the process of undergoing the extended universe treatment, which starts with Hobbs and Shaw and continues with a planned female-led spinoff. At the same time, there’s been some talk of ongoing tension between Johnson and his co-star Vin Diesel, which may have also factored into the pair going their separate ways for the time being.
In any case, seeing how Johnson only joined the series in 2011’s Fast Five, it’s evident that Hobbs isn’t a necessary ingredient to the saga, even if a lot of fans may be disappointed to see him sit this next one out. Nonetheless, there’s still one more Fast and Furious movie lined up after film number nine, and Johnson at least seems open to returning for the project.
Either way, you’ll be able to see the star in action once more when Hobbs and Shaw hits theaters on August 2nd, 2019. After that Fast and Furious 9 is set for release on April 10th, 2020, followed by Fast and Furious 10 on April 2nd, 2021.