The Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham “Fast and Furious” spinoff titled “Hobbs and Shaw” is close to locking down its villain.
SAG and Golden Globe Award winner Idris Elba (“Molly’s Game”) is in final negotiations to star in the role opposite Johnson and Statham.
The film is being directed by “Deadpool 2” and “Atomic Blonde” director David Leitch, and Chris Morgan is writing the screenplay. This will be Morgan’s seventh time serving as writer for the franchise.
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham are reprising their roles as former rivals turned unlikely allies in Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, respectively.
Earlier this week, Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”) also joined the Universal Pictures project, which is expected in theaters next summer.
“The Fate of the Furious” grossed $1.2 billion worldwide, bringing the franchise’s all-time box office total to $5.1 billion since the first film’s release in 2001.
Original Film’s Neal H. Moritz will produce alongside Johnson and his Seven Bucks Productions partners — Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia — Jason Statham, and Chris Morgan for his eponymous production company. Kelly McCormick, Steve Chasman, Amanda Lewis, Ainsley Davies and Ethan Smith executive produce.
Elba is currently in production on the Netflix comedy series “Turn Up Charlie,” which he created and will star in, as well as executive produce.
Executive Vice President of production Mark Sourian and creative Vice President Jay Polidoro will oversee the project at Universal.
Elba is represented by WME, The Artist Partnership and Ziffren Brittenham.
Variety first reported the news.