We've now had three Fast & Furious films with Dwayne Johnson's Luke Hobbs character, and frankly he's the most badass character in the entire franchise. Sorry, Vin Diesel fans, but you know it's true. Every time Hobbs appeared in Furious 7 it was like somebody pumped pure adrenaline into the film and made each scene better. Even Tyrese is funnier when Johnson's around. "Why do I smell baby oil?" is still my favorite line of all of the Fast & Furious flicks. With Johnson being more in demand than ever, some have thought he may not have time to keep playing Hobbs, but it looks like he'll make time for it.
While doing press for disaster film San Andreas, Johnson was asked whether Hobbs would return for Fast & Furious 8, and here is his reply...
"Of course. It can’t go on without Hobbs."
Damn right it can't. Who else is going to crack an arm cast in half just be flexing his biceps? Jason Statham? Not likely! There has also been some quiet chatter over the years about spinning off the Hobbs character into a solo movie, and Johnson says those talks are still very much ongoing...
"We all are interested in it. 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."
To be perfectly honest, Johnson has fared better jumping into action ensembles than trying to lead them on his own. It would be interesting to see if fans of these movies would want to see Hobbs without the rest of the crew.
Fast & Furious 8 opens April 14th 2017. [Collider]
