Hobbs & Shaw 2 - What We Know So Far
There are few things we know for certain in this realm of entropy, but there are at least two solid facts that can be confirmed: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson keeps growing more muscles, and Jason Statham's beard stubble gets coarser and manlier every time he punches a baddie in the face. Also confirmed: Their successful spin-off in the Fast & Furious franchise, Hobbs & Shaw, will be getting a sequel, as The Rock explained in a Q&A on Instagram, via Screen Rant.
Longtime Fast & Furious writer Chris Morgan will be returning for the screenplay, but for now, details are sparse. As Johnson puts it, everybody involved with the project is getting started. "Just gotta figure out the creative right now," he says, "and the direction we're going to go." That means the movie is still in its early developmental phase. However, there are a number of possible directions it might take, particularly since the first Hobbs & Shaw left us with a few nuggets that set up a sequel. So strap on your seat belts, because here's everything we know so far about the possible direction of the upcoming Hobbs & Shaw 2.
How long until we get more Hobbs & Shaw?
There has been talk of a sequel for quite some time now, but full confirmation wasn't made until recent months. Knowing when it will come out, though, is a complex matter in the age of COVID-19. Also in the mix, as far as scheduling, is the fact that The Rock is an extremely busy man: He's currently getting ready to step into the DC universe as as Black Adam, and will also be in another Jumanji film. So, when it comes to Hobbs & Shaw, a lot of elements will undoubtedly have to work around the superstar's schedule.
That said, the smart move would also be to alternate yearly release dates of F&F installments with H&S sequels. With the release date for Fast & Furious 9 set for 2021, we might not be getting another dose of Statham and The Rock until 2022.
When it does arrive, though, who will be coming back?
Who will be back in Hobbs & Shaw 2?
There may be jetpacks and superhuman acrobatics as well as hyper-intelligent baddies raining vehicles down on the city streets, but let's not forget the central theme of the Fast & Furious franchise. That's right: family. The whole ordeal is like a Thanksgiving dinner in the park, while your drunk uncle does donuts around the table in a red 1982 Camaro.
The sequel would, of course, not be happening without both The Rock and Jason Statham attached, so you can count them in. Even though no official announcements have been made, aside from the two stars, the core members have all expressed their desire to come back on board, including Vanessa Kirby — and even Idris Elba, who told Digital Spy he'd like to see his character's origin story depicted. Meanwhile, even there has (again) been no official word, we can possibly expect Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Hart to make surprise appearances, since the two had cameos in the first Hobbs & Shaw that were somehow kept under wraps until the release.
What is the plot of Hobbs & Shaw 2?
Where does the story go? There is some speculation that the writers might send Hobbs & Shaw into more of a sci-fi realm, and given how Idris Elba's character in the last one developed, this could very well be a possibility, particularly since it'd be a smart way to differentiate from the main series. That being said, any plot developments on Hobbs & Shaw 2 are pure speculation at this point. Perhaps the most obvious clue about the sequel's direction is the first film's revelation of a shadowy figure pulling the strings of Eteon, for now known simply as "the Director," though it's unclear if this is a thread for the Fast & Furious franchise as a whole, or just the Hobbs & Shaw movies in specific. Screenwriter Chris Morgan has mostly stayed quiet on the matter, but in one interview with Screen Rant, regarding Eteon's future, he said the following: "This speaks specifically to being able to tell a story in a cinematic universe where not everything has to be jammed into one story, one thing. That is an ongoing reveal. I would direct the audience to... just hold on."
Johnson, meanwhile, keeps giving out little bits of information. In an Instagram video, the action star let slip some tidbits: "And now in this next installment we have a few more surprises and great characters to create. Not characters that Hobbs can just kick the s*** out of, because that's boring, but characters I think that you guys are gonna fall in love with."
After this many successful runs with the gang, we've learned to trust the process. Shooting has yet to begin on the project, so there is no trailer, but watch out for new developments in the near future.