While we could have predicted this happening following the decision to delay No Time To Die, that such a big franchise as the Fast & Furious films would bow to worries about the global box office in the current Coronavirus climate is still slightly surprising. But it's true: Fast & Furious 9 (or F9: The Fast Saga as it's known in the States) is driving away from its planned May release for a new parking spot in April 2021.
The announcement comes on the heels of A Quiet Place Part II shifting to an undisclosed future date. Given the huge amounts of cash already spent on marketing the latest Fast movie (including a concert event to launch one of the trailers), this is a blow to Universal, but an understandable step given that the chaos of Vin Diesel's Dom Toretto and the rest plays big worldwide, a gamble that won't pay off in a world where cinemas are being closed.
Which means that, despite Vin Diesel shrugging off viral fears whilst out doing the press rounds for Bloodshot and claiming he'd still head to China to promote the new Fast film, he'll be staying put for now.
The planned 10th Fast film had been scheduled for that April 2021 slot, and given that it's yet to be shot, expect it to likewise make a a move to 2022 – assuming cast and crew can convene in good time to shoot it.