Hobbs and Shaw to Face Idris Elba as the Villain in Fast & Furious Spinoff

Dwayne Johnson’s Hobbs and Jason Statham’s Shaw will face Idris Elba (Thor: Ragnarok, The Mountain Between Us, Luther) as the villain in Universal Pictures‘ Fast & Furious spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw, according to Variety. The actor is reportedly in final negotiations for the role.

The Crown star Vanessa Kirby also recently joined the film and will play an MI-5 agent and the sister of Shaw. Deadpool 2 helmer David Leitch is directing the August 2, 2019 release.

Chris Morgan wrote the script for the action film, which is expected to start production this fall. Johnson and Statham will produce alongside Original Film’s Neal H. Moritz, Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions partners Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia, and eponymous’ Chris Morgan. Kelly McCormick, Steve Chasman, Amanda Lewis, Ainsley Davies and Ethan Smith will executive produce.

The last Fast & Furious movie featuring both Hobbs and Shaw, The Fate of the Furious, earned $1.236 billion at the worldwide box office last year.