Dwayne Johnson Says Hobbs Will Not Show Up In Upcoming 'Fast 9'

We’re not saying that these two points are 100% related, but it’s certainly interesting that the “Fast and Furious” franchise really took off and became such a behemoth in “Fast 5,” which was the first film to feature Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Hobbs character. Since then, Johnson has been a fixture in the ‘Fast’ films and each one has gone on to become massive, massive hits. But it appears that for ‘Fast 9,’ things are changing and the franchise will have to see how it does without The Rock.

Speaking to MTV News from the Sundance Film Festival, where he was promoting “Fighting with My Family” (our review), Johnson talked about the upcoming “Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” and why that spin-off film means there’s no Rock (and probably no Jason Statham) in the upcoming ‘Fast 9.’

READ MORE: ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Has A New Title & Dwayne Johnson Says Fans “Are Going To F—ing Love This Movie”

“The plan has always been for the ‘Fast and Furious’ universe to grow and expand. As of now, we’re not in ‘Fast 9’ because they’re getting ready to start shooting.”

He continues, “But who knows, with ‘Fast 10’ and down the road? You never know. Because look, at the end of the day, the truth is, there’s unfinished business between Hobbs and Dom. It’s unfinished.”

Look, at this point, it’s ridiculous to think that the lack of The Rock is going to seriously hamper the box office success of ‘Fast 9.’ Sure, he probably helped position the franchise as one of the biggest in the world, but there’s so much momentum with those films that it would be unlikely that any one actor could derail it. That being said, there’s going to be a big-time charisma void in the upcoming ‘Fast 9’ that is going to be difficult for Vin Diesel or Tyrese Gibson to fill.

READ MORE: Jason Statham Says ‘Fast & Furious’ Spin-Off ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Will Be “Gritty, And Real, And F—— Hardcore”

Let’s be honest, if ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ is a massive blockbuster, it’s unlikely that Rock and Statham will see any point in coming back for a ‘Fast’ film unless there’s a big enough reason (a milestone or massive paycheck). Why would The Rock want to compete with the rest of the ‘Fast’ cast when he can go off and make his own thing?

“Fast and Furious Present: Hobbs & Shaw” hits theaters July 26.