Hobbs & Shaw Expands the F&F Franchise

The FAST & FURIOUS franchise has been a consistent presence on the big screen for nearly 20 years now — but not only is it still full of surprises, it’s also expanding in a major way in 2019.
For the first time ever, the series has produced a spinoff title, and audiences will be able to experience its grandiose, over-the-top action this August. It’s called HOBBS & SHAW, starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, and anticipation is through the roof, with many counting down the days until release. The good news for those folks: Tickets are now on sale nationwide for opening weekend.
Written by Chris Morgan (who has scripted every FAST & FURIOUS sequel since THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), HOBBS & SHAW is set after the events of THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS and, as the title suggests, follows the misadventures of Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham).
These two characters, who both played crucial roles in the last two installments of the blockbuster crime movies, notably don’t get along in any singular way, but only their combined skills can save the world this time out. Specifically, they need to stop a superhuman madman named Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), who has undergone experimental surgery to become bulletproof and is threatening to release a virus that would decimate the global population.
The spinoff is a natural direction for the FAST & FURIOUS movies to take, as both Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham have been massively important and popular parts of the series for years now. The former has been a key figure since FAST FIVE, which was the sequel that totally rejuvenated the franchise. Statham was introduced as the best villain we’ve seen in the canon so far when he first appeared in FURIOUS 7. On top of their contributions to the brand, they also happen to be two of the best, most charismatic action stars in the world, so it makes every kind of sense to have them go off together on their own special adventure.
It also means that we may still continue to see stories set in this fantastical universe for years to come. While the main series may be finite, there’s endless potential to keep making spinoffs about fan-favorite characters.
Speaking of the main FAST & FURIOUS series, while characters like Vin Diesel's Dominic Toretto and Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pearce aren’t expected to make appearances in the 2019 film, fans won’t have to wait very long to see them again in another adventure bringing together heists and car culture. It’s been announced that director Justin Lin is hard at work on FAST & FURIOUS 9, and if all goes according to plan, it will be speeding its way into theatres in May 2020.
HOBBS & SHAW won’t be hitting theatres until August 2, but if you want the best seats possible at the first screening in your area, now is the time for you to claim your spot. The film is expected to be one of the biggest of the year at the box office and will likely sell out a number of showings over opening weekend. You’re definitely not going to want to be the last person to see the big-screen awesomeness that it’s expected to deliver.