Hot off her BAFTA-winning performance as Princess Margaret in “The Crown,” Vanessa Kirby is taking her career in a very different direction as she enters final negotiations to join Universal’s “Fast & Furious” spinoff “Hobbs and Shaw.”
David Leitch (“Deadpool 2”) is set to direct the new movie with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham reprising their roles as former rivals turned unlikely allies Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw.
Longtime “F&F” writer Chris Morgan returns as writer and producer on the project, marking his sixth go-around in the series.
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.
“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.
Leitch and Statham have worked together on four previous projects, including “The Mechanic” — on which Leitch served as fight designer and second unit director — and “Parker.”
Kirby will next be seen opposite Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” She won a BAFTA for her role as the troubled sibling to Queen Elizabeth in Netflix’s “The Crown.” She is currently on stage performing in National Theatre’s “Julie” in London.
Kirby is repped by WME, Hamilton Hodell and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Variety first reported the news.