Universal’s still-untitled ‘Fast & Furious 9’ now has John Cena officially onboard, after the initial tease from Vin Diesel.
Cena was recently in Paramount’s Transformers spin-off ‘Bumblebee’ and Universal’s ‘Blockers.’ He has several movies coming out soon, like Paramount’s ‘Playing with Fire,’ releasing November 8th, and Universal’s ‘The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle,’ releasing January 17, 2020. Also, he will be joining James Gunn’ ‘The Suicide Squad,’ releasing August 6, 2021.
Justin Lin (‘True Detective,’ ‘Star Trek Beyond’) is returning to the director’s chair for this installment. Lin was at the helm for four different mainline ‘Fast & Furious’ movies, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth films. Now, he will take on both nine and ten, wrapping up the flagship side of the franchise. The screenplay is from Daniel Casey (‘Kin’), based on a story by Lin.
‘Fast 9′ will be the tenth film overall, as the true ninth film is ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,’ starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, releases August 2nd. Then, the doors will be open for more spin-offs, including the female-led film, which is in development by Nicole Perlman, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and Lindsey Beer. ‘Fast & Furious 10′ is still dated for April 2, 2021.
Moreover, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson will return, while Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, and Nathalie Emmanuel are likely coming back. However, Dwayne Johnson said to MTV News during the Sundance Film Festival that he will not be in ‘Fast 9.’ But, there is still “unfinished business” between his character Hobbs and Diesel’s character Toretto, which means he could very well be back for ‘Fast & Furious 10.’
Meanwhile, pre-production is currently underway in London, England. Principal photography will begin June 24th and wrap October 25th in Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden.
“Fast & Furious 9’ will release May 22, 2020.
Source: Deadline