Variety is reporting that Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation, Luther, Avengers: Infinity War) is joining the cast of the Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw opposite Dwayne Johnson (Skyscraper) and Jason Statham (The Meg) as the movie’s villain. The project, which centers on the pair of characters from the main film franchise, is set to arrive in theaters on August 2, 2019.
The only details that have been released so far on Elba’s character is that he will serve as the antagonist that Hobbs and Shaw will have to team up against. Elba’s newest project, the comedy series Turn Up Charlie, is currently in pre-production. The actor’s recent credits include In the Long Run, Avengers: Infinity War, Thor: Ragnarok, Molly’s Game, and The Dark Tower.
Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde director David Leitch (who also spearheaded the John Wick franchise), has signed on to helm the upcoming film, which will follow Dwayne Johnson’s Diplomatic Security Service agent Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham’s assassin Deckard Shaw. The spin-off features a script from Chris Morgan, who has worked on the franchise since Tokyo Drift in 2006.
Johnson’s Hobbs first appeared in 2011’s Fast Five and has appeared in each Fast & Furious film since then, with Statham’s Shaw making his debut in a post-credit scene during 2013’s Fast Six and serving as the main antagonist of Furious 7 with an appearance in The Fate of the Furious as well. The upcoming spin-off is a separate film from the in-development ninth and tenth films in the series. Fast & Furious 9 will be released on April 10, 2020 with Fast & Furious 10 set to conclude the series on April 2, 2021.
Johnson will produce alongside Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia through Seven Bucks Productions. Statham, Neal H. Moritz for Original Film, and Chris Morgan for his eponymous production company will also produce, with executive producers Kelly McCormick, Steve Chasman, Amanda Lewis, Ainsley Davies, and Ethan Smith.
To date, the Fast & Furious franchise has made over $5.1 billion at the global box office.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
