As of now, there has been much speculation and excitement around the possibility of a sequel to Hobbs & Shaw, the 2019 spin-off of the highly successful Fast & Furious franchise. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Statham, the film was a high-octane action blockbuster that introduced fans to a new dynamic in the Fast & Furious universe. With a blend of thrilling car chases, over-the-top action sequences, and a good dose of humor, Hobbs & Shaw was well-received by audiences, grossing over $760 million at the global box office. However, since its release, fans have eagerly awaited confirmation of a follow-up. Here, we explore the current state of the sequel, why it may happen, and what challenges it faces.

Will There Be a Sequel?

Short answer: It’s highly likely, but it has not yet been officially confirmed.

After the release of Hobbs & Shaw, both Dwayne Johnson and the film’s producer Hiram Garcia expressed excitement about continuing the story. Johnson, who played Luke Hobbs, was enthusiastic about the idea of building out a new branch of the Fast & Furious universe, giving his character and that of Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw more room to breathe outside of the core saga. This was appealing not only because it allowed for fresh storylines, but also because it gave Johnson and Statham a greater degree of creative freedom.

In interviews after the first movie’s release, Johnson revealed that there were already discussions taking place regarding a sequel. Garcia, who has worked closely with Johnson on many of his projects, confirmed in multiple interviews that Hobbs & Shaw 2 was in development. In fact, as of late 2020, Garcia mentioned that they were already brainstorming ideas for the next installment.

However, in the years since, there has been no official word on when the film will enter production. Given the success of the first film and the built-in fanbase, the sequel feels like an inevitability, but various factors have contributed to the delay.

What is Causing the Delay?

1. The Pandemic: Like many major film projects, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the timeline for Hobbs & Shaw 2. With global lockdowns halting film production in 2020, studios were forced to prioritize certain projects, pushing others to the back burner. Universal Pictures, the studio behind the Fast & Furious franchise, had to juggle several high-profile films, including the main Fast & Furious series, which itself saw delays in the release of F9. It’s likely that the pandemic slowed down any development on the Hobbs & Shaw sequel.

2. Scheduling Conflicts: Both Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham are two of the busiest actors in Hollywood, frequently working on multiple projects at once. Johnson, in particular, has a packed schedule, with commitments to franchises like Jumanji, Black Adam, and other upcoming projects. Statham also remains in demand, often juggling action roles in films like The Expendables and Wrath of Man. Coordinating their schedules for the filming of a sequel has likely proven difficult, contributing to the delays.

3. Creative Direction: Another reason for the delay could be finding the right direction for the sequel. While the first Hobbs & Shaw focused on the antagonistic relationship between its two leads and their mission to stop a cyber-enhanced villain, the sequel would need to up the ante in terms of stakes and action. Both Johnson and Statham, as well as the film’s producers, have expressed a desire to make the second movie even bigger and better, which may require more time in the development stage.

4. The Broader Fast & Furious Franchise: The Fast & Furious universe continues to expand, with several projects in the works, including the final installments of the main series and other potential spin-offs. Vin Diesel, who leads the core Fast & Furious franchise, has hinted at the possibility of further spin-offs focused on female characters and other elements of the Fast universe. The fate of Hobbs & Shaw 2 may be tied to the direction of the broader franchise, especially given the rumored tension between Diesel and Johnson. While both stars have downplayed any ongoing feud, it’s possible that studio politics could play a role in the timeline for the sequel.

 

What Could the Sequel Look Like?

While details remain scarce, there are several clues about what fans might expect from a Hobbs & Shaw sequel. At the end of the first movie, the door was left open for further exploration of the relationship between Hobbs and Shaw, as well as their respective families. Johnson has mentioned that he would love to dive deeper into Hobbs’ Samoan heritage, which played a significant role in the climax of the first film. This suggests that the sequel could feature more of Hobbs’ extended family and explore his roots further.

Additionally, there is a possibility that Idris Elba’s character, Brixton Lore, could return. Despite seemingly being defeated at the end of Hobbs & Shaw, Brixton’s ties to a mysterious, unseen villain leave the door open for his resurrection or for the introduction of an even more dangerous foe.

There’s also the question of whether other characters from the Fast & Furious universe could make appearances. Both the main series and Hobbs & Shaw have been known to feature crossover characters, and it’s possible that fan-favorites like Helen Mirren’s Magdalene Shaw or even Diesel’s Dominic Toretto could appear.

Conclusion

While a sequel to Hobbs & Shaw seems inevitable, its release may still be a few years away due to scheduling conflicts, development hurdles, and the broader trajectory of the Fast & Furious franchise. Fans, however, can rest assured that when Hobbs & Shaw 2 does arrive, it will likely bring with it the same adrenaline-pumping action, larger-than-life characters, and unexpected twists that made the first film such a hit.