Fast & Furious: Dwayne Johnson Is Gearing Up For Another Hobbs-Centric Movie
Dwayne Johnson is set to headline his very own "Fast and Furious" film.
Audiences who found themselves seated for "Fast X" in were delighted to find out that the film's mid-credits scene features the return of Luke Hobbs. This brief cameo came after Johnson publically made it clear that he wouldn't be returning to the billion-dollar franchise. Now, The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Johnson is on track to return for a brand new "Fast" project, which will center Hobbs and various other "Furious" characters.
The outlet notes that this isn't a sequel to 2019's "Hobbs and Shaw," the first spin-off in the "Fast" franchise. The Johnson-led project isn't "Fast 11," which Louis Leterrier is expected to direct. Instead, insiders are describing it as "Fast X.5." Is it an entry set directly after the events of "Fast X," which saw the Fast Fam going up against their number one hater Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa)? Or is Johnson's latest "Furious" adventure set to detail the operation he was leading at the end of "Fast X"? Only time will tell what Johnson and company have in store for fans. One thing is certain: a familiar part of the "Fast" saga won't be showing up.
Don't expect Vin Diesel in Dwayne Johnson's Fast flick
While other actors from the "Fast and Furious" franchise are set to reprise their roles for Dwayne Johnson's film, THR says that Dominic Toretto actor Vin Diesel won't be popping up. Diehard fans of the franchise will know that Johnson and Diesel haven't been on the best terms, which was one of the reasons why Johnson was ready to call it curtains on Hobbs. Despite their public feud, "Fast X" director Louis Leterrier says he helped convince Johnson to return to the franchise with the mid-credits scene.
This time, it seems like Johnson and Diesel have really moved on, ready to bring the Fast Fam together. "Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us," Johnson said in a lengthy tweet following the film's announcement. "We'll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love." What compelled Johnson to return to the franchise? In a video accompanying the tweet, Johnson says that fan reactions to the character's return made him realize it was time to step back into Hobbs' shoes.
Dwayne Johnson says his Hobbs film will set up Fast 11
In his tweet, Dwayne Johnson teased that his "Hobbs" movie "will serve as a fresh, new chapter & set up for 'FASTX: Part II.'" Will this "fresh, new chapter" include Jason Momoa's Dante Reyes, who threatened the secret agent at the end of "Fast X"? While Johnson doesn't explicitly confirm Momoa's return, he does say that "business is about to pick up" between the two.
Ultimately, concrete details are slim on this so-called "Fast X.5," though a writer has been found in franchise OG Chris Morgan. He's best known for penning some of the franchise's most memorable films, including "Fast Five" and "Tokyo Drift." Morgan also brought the "Hobbs & Shaw" spin-off to life, though he didn't return for "F9" and "Fast X." Many diehard "Fast" fans believe that Morgan is the secret sauce to the franchise's success, so it's definitely exciting to see the screenwriter return to the series.
Dwayne Johnson will be producing his upcoming "Fast and Furious" romp alongside Morgan. What's surprising is that they've found a producing partner in Vin Diesel, signaling that the two superstar's feud has genuinely come to an end. A director isn't currently attached to the project. According to Diesel, "Fast 11" is set to race into cinemas in 2025. It remains to be seen if the Hobbs-centred film will release before that.