Vin Diesel Confirms Return For Universal’s ‘Fast & Furious’ Grand Finale Despite Lawsuit From Former Assistant Accusing Him Of Sexual Battery

The “Fast & Furious” franchise is chugging along with screenwriters Christina Hodson and Oren Uziel tasked to write the script for the next film with French action director Louis Leterrier (“The Incredible Hulk”) returning after being a replacement for longtime franchise creative/helmer Justin Lin (“Star Trek Beyond”) when he exited “Fast X” over creative differences leading the studio to hire a new director while in the middle of an expensive production.

Franchise star/executive producer Vin Diesel, who is facing a lawsuit from his former assistant Asta Jonasson surrounding sexual battery allegations, took to Instagram to reveal that he’s part of creative meetings with the studio and writers for the eleventh installment that is being referred to as the “grand finale.”

There had been some questions if Diesel would be kept on the franchise moving forward as we’ve seen some Hollywood studios dumping actors from high-profile projects due to racist, antisemitic, violent, and criminal behavior/allegations to avoid PR nightmares or end working relationships before further revelations are revealed. Diesel had been keeping a low profile since the lawsuit was announced last year and Universal had previously etched in the release for “Fast X: Part 2/Fast & Furious 11” for April 4, 2025. That date would signal a shoot starting up this spring or summer unless the studio decided to delay it.

You can see that post from Diesel below.

SOURCE: VIN DIESEL VIA INSTAGRAM

‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Producer Says Dwayne Johnson Decided Not Be Involved With Future Main ‘Fast & Furious’ Movies After Filming ‘Fate Of The Furious’

Last month, while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Dwayne Johnson announced that he wouldn’t be reprising the Hobbs role in the next two films, Fast & Furious 10 and Fast & Furious 11. This made waves because there had been expectations from fans that Hobbs would appear in the final two installments.

“I laughed and I laughed hard. I think everyone had a laugh at that. And I’ll leave it at that. And that I’ve wished them well. I wish them well on Fast 9. And I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me,” Johnson told THR and revealed he won’t be involved with the final two movies.

Dwayne Johnson’s producing partner Hiram Garcia (Jungle Cruise, Black Adam, Hobbs & Shaw) has reiterated this with Collider, and revealed that Johnson had decided about not returning after filming The Fate of The Furious. He also confirmed that a sequel to Hobbs & Shaw is in early development.

“After filming Fast 8 DJ made the clear decision to close the Fast & Furious chapter for all the evident reasons. He wished them all well and shifted our focus on to other story telling avenues. So while he will not be in F10 or F11, that won’t in any way interfere with our Hobbs plans. Obviously all these characters exist in the Fast universe and we love to see all aspects of that universe thrive and succeed. We just have specific plans for what we want to do with the Hobbs character and I think the fans are going to love it! We’re working to deliver something very unique and fresh and we know the studio is eager for us to get into it ASAP!,” the producer told Collider.

I’m sure many will remember that there seemed to be clashes of egos on the set of Fate of The Furious between Vin Diesel and Johnson, that seemed to be brushed-off as some wrestling promo thing. However, it’s possible that Johnson does have issues with working Diesel and simply doesn’t want to add to that tension.

It’ll be interesting to see when Johnson and Jason Statham will be able to make their sequel, director David Leitch (Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde) has indicated a willingness to return.

SOURCE: COLLIDER