Fast & Furious 11: Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel Reunite in $7 Billion Franchise Finale?

In 2019, David Leitch (John Wick) unveiled Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, a spin-off focusing on the characters Luke Hobbs (played by Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham). In this offshoot, Hobbs and Shaw are forced to work together to stop Brixton (Idris Elba), a genetically enhanced anarchist who has obtained a weapon of mass destruction. With a budget of $200 million, this action film raked in $760 million globally. Although it didn’t fully meet the producers’ expectations, the earnings were still respectable. A sequel was soon announced but was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the franchise, which has grossed over $7 billion worldwide, has shifted direction.

Tensions Between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson

To recap, after completing Fast & Furious 8, Dwayne Johnson decided to leave the main series due to a fallout with Vin Diesel. However, Johnson’s character, Luke Hobbs, was supposed to continue appearing in spin-offs. Absent from Fast & Furious 9, released in August 2021, both Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham surprisingly returned to the cast of Fast X, released in May 2023. Johnson’s character appears in the post-credits scene of the film directed by Louis Leterrier, catching many fans off guard who thought a return of the super cop was off the table, causing a stir in the studio’s lineup. Ultimately, Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson set their differences aside (though they do not share scenes in Fast X) to wrap up the saga.

“A Reunion of This Great Brotherhood”

In June 2023, The Rock stated that he had put the past behind him, noting, “Despite our differences, we’ve been like brothers for years. With brotherhood, we’ll safeguard this franchise and always take care of it, whether it’s the characters or the fans we adore. I’ve always built my career by first considering what the audience wants, and that will continue to guide me.”

Vin Diesel has also shared a photo of himself and Dwayne Johnson from the set of Fast & Furious 5 on his Instagram, accompanied by the following message:

“Universal is whispering in one ear that we need FastX2 by March 2026! In the other ear, Comcast is pushing for two films to conclude the saga! Moreover, the screenwriter from Fast Five sent me this image saying we need to see Dom and Hobbs resolve their issues. I just want to return to real street racing, practical stunts… and a return to this beautiful brotherhood.”

Thus, Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson are set to reunite in Fast & Furious 11, with filming expected to start in the first quarter of 2025, aiming for a release date in March 2026, according to Diesel’s post.

What About the Hobbs & Shaw Spin-Off?

So what’s happening with the planned spin-offs involving Luke Hobbs? Apart from the sequel to Hobbs & Shaw, a film focusing on the conflict between Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), set after the events of Fast X and serving as a bridge before Fast & Furious 11 was announced (though filming has not started), as well as a standalone film centered solely on Johnson’s character.

Chris Morgan, the saga’s screenwriter, recently discussed the continuation of the Hobbs & Shaw spin-off with the Hollywood Reporter. It seems he is as bewildered as the audience with these numerous projects. “This is really something the studio should talk about. We’re discussing what happens, when, and how, but I’ll leave that to minds brighter than mine.” Morgan added that he is currently working on a script for a project similar to Hobbs & Shaw, though he didn’t provide further details. “It’s under lock and key. I can say that I’m working on a script in the style of Hobbs & Shaw. We’ll see where it leads, but I’m excited about it.”

These statements don’t really clarify the future of the Fast & Furious franchise and its spin-offs, especially since Vin Diesel hinted in his message that the last installment of the franchise could actually be split into two new parts, as he had previously announced in May 2023. The actor and producer had backtracked on his statements, but everything still seems uncertain.

With filming for Fast & Furious 11 set to begin soon, new information should be forthcoming. In the meantime, Dwayne Johnson is currently donning a wig and leaf loincloth on set for the live-action adaptation of Vaiana, where he reprises his role as the demigod Maui.