He only bodyslammed into the franchise with the fifth instalment, but it’s hard to imagine the **Fast & Furious **movies without Dwayne Johnson’s imposing Interpol officer Luke Hobbs. So it should come as little surprise to learn that, following the announcement that an eighth entry is in development, the artist also known as The Rock has confirmed that he’ll be back for more action.
Asked whether Hobbs will be on duty for the movie at the San Andreas press junket this weekend, Johnson answered in his inimitable style: “Of course. It can’t go on without Hobbs.” But what we really want to know is whether the schedule will allow him to show up for more than a couple of scenes this time. **Fast & Furious 7 **was affected by the death of Paul Walker, which meant a production shutdown and a timing shift, so there was less Hobbs to be found.
And if you’re still hoping that he could show up in his own spin-off franchise, which he was eagerly talking up while doing the rounds for the sixth film back in 2013, keep the faith but don’t hold your breath just yet. “We all are interested in it,” Johnson said. “I just had a big conversation with the studio. So we’ll see. I still think, for me personally, we’ve created a little bit of space for him in 7 and the gauge is set for what the audience will want. That’s my take on it, you know, but a lot of other people have to have input.”
Fast & Furious 8 is dated for April 14, 2017. Earthquake thriller San Andreas will rumble its way into UK cinemas on May 29.