A little over two months ago, we reported thatDavid Leitch(Atomic Blonde,Deadpool 2) wasthe frontrunnerto direct theFast and Furiousspin-off film,Hobbs & Shaw, which will be focusing onDwayne JohnsonandJason Statham’s respective franchise characters. Now, Universal has officially set Leitch as the director in earnest. This is but the next step in getting this highly anticipated, high-octane picture into production.
Johnson’s Luke Hobbs, the former Diplomatic Security Service agent, and Statham’s Deckard Shaw, murderous anti-hero, will likely continue their bromance established inThe Fate of the Furious.Fast & FuriousscreenwriterChris Morgan, the pen behind every script sinceTokyo Drift, also turned in the spinoff script, but no other plot points are currently available. With a planned release date of June 03, 2025–arriving in theaters before the ninth installment of the parent franchise–Hobbs & Shawcould clear the road for both Johnson and Statham to separate themselves from the “Family” of Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel). And the capable, action-focused direction of Leitch will be leading the way.
Check out the confirmation below:
Doesn’t get much more definitive than that. It also doesn’t get much more definitive, when talking about theon-set feud between Johnson and Diesel, than the former’s recent comments about likely not returning for the next installment of theFast and Furiousfranchise:
“Vin and I had a few discussions, including an important face-to-face in my trailer, and what I came to realize is that we have a fundamental difference in philosophies on how we approach moviemaking and collaborating. It took me some time, but I’m grateful for that clarity. Whether we work together again or not.”
Whether or not Johnson will return forFast and Furious 9…
“I’m not quite sure. Right now I’m concentrating on making the spinoff [Hobbs and Shaw] as good as it can be, but I wish him all the best, and I harbor no ill will there, just because of the clarity we have…Actually, you can erase that last part about ‘no ill will.’ We’ll just keep it with the clarity.”
Stay tuned for more on theHobbs & Shawspin-off now that Leitch is on board.
