Universal’s still-untitled ‘Fast & Furious 9’ now has Michael Rooker onboard the cast. He will play Buddy, a role that is a last minute addition to the production.
Rooker is popular for his role of Yondu in Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of James Gunn’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies. He was recently in the third season of HBO’s ‘True Detective.’ Next, he will appear in Jeff Wadlow’s ‘Fantasy Island’ reboot, releasing February 28, 2020, and he will co-star with Dylan O’Brien in Paramount’s ‘Monster Problems.’
Meanwhile, 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 and Alfred Botello.
‘Fast 9′ will be the tenth film overall, as the true ninth film is ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.’ Also, a female-led film 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, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, and Helen Mirren will all return. John Cena, as well as Vinnie Bennett, Finn Cole, Francis Ngannou, and Anna Sawai, have been cast in unknown roles.
However, Dwayne Johnson said to MTV News during the Sundance Film Festival that he will not be in ‘Fast 9.’
Dwayne @TheRock Johnson tells @joshuahorowitz what to expect from his new @FastFurious spin-off @HobbsAndShaw and whether or not we'll see him in #Fast9 pic.twitter.com/UWIr2EvWRC
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) January 29, 2019
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.’
Further, filming is currently underway in Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, with a wrap date of October 25th.
“Fast & Furious 9’ will release May 22, 2020.
Source: Deadline