Universal has a major problem. Their cash cow franchise, The Fast & The Furious, which has reeled in a ridiculous $5.13 billion worldwide over eight instalments, has had its ninth film’s release date… pushed back.
Instead of the previously announced April 19, 2019 release date, Fast & Furious 9 will now arrive April 10, 2020, and reportedly Universal producers are panicking as they’ll have to wait another year to see another billion dollars fall right at their feet from cinema goers hungry for even more vehicular carnage and themes revolving around family.
Obviously the above is a little tongue-in-cheek, as this announcement was somewhat expected after Universal hasn’t been able to confirm the return of director F. Gary Gray for the ninth film, and while the major stars are expected to return, no casting news has been announced yet.
Plus, with a spin-off planned starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, it’s unclear if the duo will return to the main franchise in supporting roles.
The spin-off of course, could fill that 2019 hole that Universal will surely be desperate to fill with another car crash ensemble. Plus let’s not forget that, yes, a tenth Fast & Furious film has already been announced, previously with a release date of April 2, 2021, though that’s likely to change with the news here.
Considering the series was originally intended to end after the seventh film, the franchise has shown incredible staying power and proved that any strange, half-nonsensical idea can survive in Hollywood if the right stars are on board and audiences continue to pay to see it.
A years postponement won’t hurt Universal, and they now have time to get a director in place and seduce all the major players to return once again.
#Peace.Love.Fast&Furious
