Vin Diesel Says 'F9' Won't Be Delayed By Coronavirus & He'd Go To China Now To Promote It

Ever since the news that “No Time to Die” was delayed from its April release all the way until November due to the coronavirus pandemic, film fans have been looking at other big spring films to see which is the next to get moved. It appears, for now, at least, that May’s “Black Widow” release is going to stick. But later in the month, the new ‘Fast & Furious film, “F9,” hits theaters and that film, more than most, really relies heavily on China and other international territories. So, Vin Diesel wants everyone to know that “F9” is still coming and he’ll do everything in his power to make sure the film doesn’t get delayed.

READ MORE: Cannes President Is “Reasonably Optimistic” The Festival Will Not Be Canceled Due To Coronavirus

When asked by USA Today whether fans could anticipate news that “F9” is going to move from its May 22 release date due to the outbreak of the illness, Diesel admitted that it’s “a great, great question,” but offered a pretty ambiguous reply, referencing his new movie in the process (the actor is also a pretty damn good salesperson).

“Let me put it to you this way: ‘Bloodshot‘ at the end of the day is a soldier and a soldier doesn’t decide or pick when or where he’s deployed. We’re going to go in,” he replied.

READ MORE: ‘Peter Rabbit 2’ Delayed Until August Due To The Coronavirus Outbreak

He added that he “won’t fault anyone in the world for saying, ‘You guys are stupid for releasing this movie right now’…[But] we need movies now more than ever. We’re already in a very interesting time where cinema and the cinematic experience is so threatened. So, yes, put it on record we’re going to show up.”

In fact, even for “Bloodshot,” the actor was fully ready to fly to China to promote the film, even given the state of the country, where all the theaters have been closed since January and thousands have died due to coronavirus.

READ MORE: ‘F9’ Trailer: It’s Brother Vs Brother In The Next ‘Fast & Furious’ Film

“I love to show up for the audience and for the fans because God knows how much they’ve showed up for me,” Diesel explained. “I’m crazy. I’m begging Sony to let me go to China, even now. And you should see everyone’s faces like, ‘You’re going alone, buddy!'”

Long story short, if Diesel has any say in the release of “F9,” fans can most certainly expect the film to hit theaters around the world on May 22. But ultimately, that decision is made by people higher up than the actor, even though he’s also a producer. So, at the end of the day, not even Vin Diesel will be able to conquer coronavirus if the studio doesn’t want him to. But he’s waiting for the call to fight if needed.