We’re getting closer and closer to that Hobbs and Shaw movie, with recent casting of Vanessa Kirby (known for The Crown) as Shaw’s sister, and now this new development just days later. According to Variety, Idris Elba is in final negotiations to play the big baddie in the Fast And Furious spin-off!
This is exciting for pretty obvious reasons. Idris Elba is a terrific actor who has proven to play formidable villains before in films like Star Trek: Beyond and the recent “live-action” Jungle Book, although the big difference here is that Elba won’t be under heavy makeup or relegated to simply doing voice over. This is him in the flesh and going up against Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson, which will be a spectacular thing to witness.
There’s no detail as to who exactly Elba will be playing here, and plot details have yet to be revealed. Is he playing someone from Shaw’s past? Will it address the lack of involvement from the regular Fast and Furious crew? Will it in anyway shape or form redeem Shaw for killing Han? Will Tyrese Gibson get upset about the mere existence of this movie again? I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.
This spin-off is being helmed by Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2 director, David Leitch, and written by franchise regular, Chris Morgan.
Hobbs and Shaw will be released by Universal Pictures on July 26th, 2019.