Idris Elba is in final negotiations to play the villain in an upcoming spinoff of the “Fast and Furious” franchise. According to Variety, the spinoff “Hobbs and Shaw” led by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Statham is adding some more big names to the bill.
The often at odds characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw portrayed by Johnson and Statham, respectively, will have to come together to face Elba’s character. Other than Johnson butting heads with several actors from the original franchise including Tyrese Gibson and Vin Diesel, the fans’ appreciation of the duo’s chemistry reportedly played a part in Univeral Studios’ decision to greenlight the spinoff.
Director of hit Marvel film “Deadpool” David Leitch is on board along with “Fast and Furious” architect Chris Morgan as the writer, and Johnson and Statham producing the film.
The details of Elba’s role is unknown but he’s no stranger to playing the antagonist. The London-bred actor voiced Shere Khan in “Jungle Book’ and portrayed the murderous ex-con in “No Good Deed.”
“Hobbs & Shaw” is expected to hit theaters July 26, 2019.
