Universal Pictures has given a 2019 release date for their untitled 'Fast and Furious' spin-off which will focus on Johnson's Luke Hobbs and Statham's Deckard Shaw.
- Oct 6, 2017
AceShowbiz - It was just yesterday (October 4) that news of "Fast and Furious 9" being pushed back a year to 2020 emerged. And now, Universal has announced that they have given a 2019 release date for their untitled "Fast and Furious" spin-off focusing on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw.
The Hobbs and Shaw solo film will arrive in theaters across the nation on July 26, 2019. The studio has tapped Chris Morgan, who has penned every "Fast and Furious" film since 2006's "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift", to write the screenplay for the film. Despite the film already getting a release date, no deals have been made with the two actors, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
" 'Fast & Furious' is one of Universal's most beloved properties, and we handle every decision we make surrounding this franchise with great care," Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley said. "The global brand of 'Fast & Furious' is strong and full of iconic characters, and we look forward to continuing to build on the film that started it all, as well as expanding into different narratives beginning with our first spin-off."
Meanwhile, sources tell the site that one reason for the delay of "Fast 9" was to accommodate potential director scheduling. It is also said that Justin Lin, who directed the third to the sixth "Fast and Furious" films, may be lining up to return to the franchise and is the top choice to helm the ninth film, which is now set to open on April 10, 2020.
The announcement of the untitled Fast and Furious spin-off release date came just a day after Johnson's co-star Tyrese Gibson launched yet another Instagram rant in which he blamed the wrestler-turned-actor for holding up production on the ninth film.
"#PSA Congratulations to @TheRock and your bother in law aka 7 bucks producing partner @hhgarcia41 for making the fast and furious franchise about YOU - And like you, DJ even if they call I will not be deleting this post - Gn folks see you in 2020 April," the 38-year-old actor captioned a post on Wednesday, October 4. "#FastFamily right? Nah..... It's about #TeamDwayne #3yrs will it be worth the wait? #NoShaw just Hobbs will this be another #BayWatch? Guys guys just relax I'm just a passionate film critic."
Earlier on Thursday, the Roman Pearce depicter also posted on the photo-sharing site an old picture of some of the cast members, including the late Paul Walker, and wrote, "Diversity, love, multi ethnic worldwide multi generational, United Nations, One Race, Fast Family...... Until Dewayne showed up I guess this whole time he had a problem cause he wasn't the ONLY ONE on the movie poster..........."
"I guess dreams do come true congratulations to @hhgarcia41 and @therock you guys are just amazing you really broke up the #FastFamily," he continued. "I tried to warn you guys... You thought I was hating...... I was simply fighting to keep the family together what makes us great is when you see us all TOGETHER we don't fly solo....."
"#MyLastPost today..... I got 3 years of venting on this clown - They offered but YOU didn't have to agree with a solo #HobbsMovie #OriginalFastFamily," he added, "we salute you and stand on your shoulders #VinDiesel #PaulWalker #RobCohen #RomanTej were offered a spin off we TURNED IT DOWN!!!"
