Idris Elba has had an extremely busy few years, starring in a variety of memorable and successful films.
And it looks like the 45-year-old actor’s hectic schedule isn’t about to get any lighter.
The Luther star is currently in final negotiations to play the main antagonist in Universal’s Fast and Furious spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw.
The spinoff will see Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Statham slip back into the roles of Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw.
Elba’s character has not yet been named, however this will be the villain faced by Hobbs and Shaw.
According to Variety, the film will be directed David Leitch, with Fast and Furious screenwriter Chris Morgan writing the script. Production is reportedly all set to begin this very autumn.
IMDb have given this following plot description:
A spinoff of The Fate of the Furious, focusing on Johnson’s US Diplomatic Security Agent Luke Hobbs forming an unlikely alliance with Statham’s Deckard Shaw.
Remind yourself why the Fast and Furious franchise has yet to run out of gas below:
Although this is a spinoff from the beloved series, the new movie will take a slightly different approach, being reportedly more ‘character centred.’
Speaking with Collider in May 2018, director Leitch revealed:
I think it’s going to be a little bit more grounded because it’s the beginning. It’s an origin story, in a sense.
It’s not an origin story, but we’re starting a franchise. So we want it to be a little bit more grounded, a little bit more character-centric.
We’re going to set up the stakes for these guys and their relationship, but we’re also going to have some great set pieces and some action that you’d expect from that type of franchise.
Screenwriter Morgan added:
We’re diving into their world. I think we want to have our own take on the Fast universe.
It will definitely have elements of the original DNA, but it is more drifting into Shaw’s spy word and Dwayne’s agent world and, obviously, we want to build on their relationship, their conflict, their banter.
That chemistry that they have between them, that’s sort of what’s driving the movie.
The Rock certainly appears to approve of Elba being cast as the baddie, tweeting:
He’s a baaaaaad man.
Welcoming my dude @idriselba with tattooed and open arms to our #HobbsAndShaw Fast & Furious spin-off movie.
Every hero is only as good as their villain. Cue the music… let’s dance.
And fans of the original franchise appear equally enthused at the prospect of Elba joining the team.
One person exclaimed:
He will make an EXCELLENT villain.. what a great choice!! I’m excited just thinking about it! [sic]
Another happy fan tweeted:
This spinoff is going to be DOOOOPE! I’m ready for it Rock and Idris. Bring it, fellas! [sic]
Hobbs and Shaw will hit cinemas as of July 29, 2019, which just isn’t fast or furious enough if you ask me…
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.