From its inception, Fast & Furious has been all about an ensemble cast and over the past two decades, the ensemble has only grown further. Dwayne Johnson was added in Fast Five as Hobbs, and Furious 7 got Jason Statham as Shaw, a villain. Since then Hobbs and Shaw have had their own spinoff movie and now director Justin Lin addresses whether the two will ever appear in the main franchise.
In June 2021 it will be two decades since The Fast and the Furious first hit the screens and we were introduced to Dominic Toretto played by Vin Diesel. Over the years the franchise has moved away from street racing, which was the main theme of the first few movies, and turned into full fledged spy/superhero films.
In Fast Five Dwayne Johnson was added as a law enforcement officer hot on the heels of Dom in Brazil. Later he joins forces with Dom and his crew to fight off the Shaw brothers but behind the scenes Vin and Dwayne could not stand each other resulting in directors filming their scenes separately. So, now a spinoff out of the way Dwayne and Jason returning to the main franchise seems less and less likely.
Justin Lin Explains the Fate of Hobbs and Shaw in Main Fast & Furious Franchise
While Jason Statham does not have the same issues with Vin as Dwayne does but the two actors have been together now in a spinoff movie headlined by themselves. Coming back to the main franchise to play a side role may not seem as attractive considering their spinoff was the fourth highest grossing movie in the whole franchise.
Hobbs and Shaw made over $750 million at the box office, Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson did that on their own without a large ensemble to help them. So, a franchise filled with inflated egos, it is more likely Hobbs and Shaw stick to their own spinoff movies. Still, the director of five Fast & Furious movies till date says in his mind they are still part of the universe.
In an interview with Deadline, Justin Lin said, “I never really considered them gone, you know? To me, they’re still in this universe; they’re part of this family. Whatever we do, whenever we’re talking about the next chapter, I never feel like I have any restrictions, so I’m excited for what we build, and as we’re coming to this kind of final chapter of this saga, I think I’m excited to revisit… Any character, in any situation, is up for discussion.”
Also Read: Fast & Furious 9 Director Justin Lin Says Fans Will Feel the Presence of Paul Walker
Being a professional actor Vin and Dwayne should be able to put their egos aside and come together for one more time so fans get what they want. Fast Five was enjoyable because the two large men went head to head, Vin may not agree but Dwayne Johnson added more to the franchise and brought his massive following to the series.
Jason Statham will probably be back in another Fast & Furious movie but we do not see the two massive egos of Vin and The Rock, being in the same room. Justin Lin may be right, the two characters will probably appear in the main franchise again but them ever being close is out of question.
For now fans can enjoy the return of Han in Fast & Furious 9, magnet cars and cars with rocket engine attached to them, but Rock and Statham will not be making a cameo. As for Hobbs & Shaw 2, Chris Morgan is back as writer and Johnson is producing the film. Universal seems to be doubling down with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham and as the main franchise fades away, Hobbs and Shaw appear to be the new crew in town, taking the F&F franchise further.
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Dominic Toretto Dwayne Johnson Fast & Furious Hobbs and Shaw Jason Statham Justin Lin Universal Vin Diesel
Last modified: April 17, 2021
