Earlier this week, THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS producer Neil Moritz stated that there is indeed an endgame planned for the cars, muscles, and money franchise with at least two more sequels on the way. As a result of that news, many of us rolled our eyes and thought, "Yeah right. Let's be real, okay? You'll stop making these movies when people stop paying to see them and not a moment sooner."
Welp, it turns out that Universal does in fact have plans to continue the franchise beyond the proper FAST & FURIOUS sequels, and the first spinoff to wave the gang-colored handkerchief will focus on the characters portrayed by Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. As of the moment, this is the only spinoff project that Universal is pursuing, though I'll bet you a year's worth of gas that it won't be the last by a long shot.
Sources are reporting that Chris Morgan will write the script for the Johnson and Statham vehicle (ba dum tish), with the plot centered around Johnson’s US Diplomatic Security Agent Luke Hobbs to form an unlikely partnership with Statham’s Decker Shaw, for a movie that could conceivably be made while they are figuring out the game plan for the next "Fast" film. For the moment, no contracts have been signed and Morgan, Johnson, and Statham are simply in the "discussions stage" of the project.
Personally, I'm content for this series (or any spinoff for that matter) to keep going until it's completely run out of gas. I love the diverse, ensemble cast and the way in which each installment of the franchise has topped itself in terms of bombastic action and over-the-top thrills. While I totally realize that THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS might have jumped an entire school of sharks, I honestly don't care. THE FAST & THE FURIOUS films have always been mindless, popcorn-flavored bubble gum for my brain, and I say all the power to them so long as they remain entertaining.
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, which has already earned a total of $685 million worldwide before rolling into its second weekend of release is revving its engine in your local theaters right now.