TheFast & Furioussaga has introduced plenty of recognizable faces throughout the years, and while they usually return for surprise appearances in other projects, there’s one notable name who’s been absent from the franchise since his introduction. With the highly anticipatedFast and Furious 11set to conclude the series for good, there’s every possibility that the franchise will want as many familiar faces as possible to cement itself as a true celebration of the story’s history. For this reason,Fast and Furious 11could have some returning surprises- and there’s one forgotten character who seems like a suitable candidate.
For the most part, this series does a great job of giving their returning characters a reason to enter the story again - they aren’t simply shoehorned into the narrative where they don’t necessarily belong. Characters likeHan, Deckard, and Cypher all had uncertain futures in the saga, but the sequels managed to write them into the story in a way that felt natural and interesting. This makes it even more surprising thatFast & Furioushas failed to bring backsome of its most compelling characters when their potential in the franchise still exists and is arguably bigger than ever before.
Ryan Reynolds Joined The Fast & Furious Universe As Locke In Hobbs & Shaw
The Hollywood Star Played Victor Locke
Although it was only a minor role, Ryan Reynolds’ appearance as Victor Locke in theHobbs & Shawspinoff movie was undeniably a great surprise. The Hollywood superstar fit naturally into this universe, bringing his signature comedy and lighthearted energy to a story that was clearly trying to distance itself from the dramatic tone of the main movies.His character is the CIA agent responsible for bringing Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw together, forcing them to settle their differences and fight against their common enemy. He works alongside the unlikely couple to protect the country from an even greater threat.
3 Reasons Hobbs & Shaw 2 Must Happen
Hobbs & Shaw 2 still needs to happen with Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson despite the main Fast & Furious franchise ending.
What works so effectively about Victor Locke’s character is that he’s such a contrast to both Deckard and Luke, who struggle to find the funny side of their inconvenient situation. This makes him a perfect fit for the spinoff, and if there’s anypossibility of aHobbs & Shaw 2in the future, it’s almost certain that Reynolds would be asked to return. However, despite the actor’s valuable addition to the spinoff,he’s been notably absent from every otherFast & Furiousmovie since then.
The Actor Seems Like A Perfect Fit
The main reason that Reynolds hasn’t returned sinceHobbs & Shawis thathis character doesn’t have any connection to Dom Toretto, who’s the clear protagonist of that franchise. He was only included inHobbs & Shawas a colleague of Luke Hobbs - he’s never interacted with Dom, and he’s likely unaware of everything that’s happening in the main series. Since Hobbs has also been absent fromF9 and Fast X, it would not have made much sense for Locke to appear either. His involvement in the story is essentially tied to Hobbs.
With Dante Reyes hunting him down, Hobbs could turn to his old friend for assistance during the events ofFast and Furious 11- the CIA would be a crucial ally in this fight against the Reyes family.
AlthoughHobbs & Shaw 2is a great ideathat would allow theFast & Furioussaga to continue, it’s been a long time since the original without any word of a sequel. However,this doesn’t mean that Victor Locke will never be seen again: the return of Luke Hobbs inFast X’s end-credit scene could be opening the door for Reynolds’ return. With Dante Reyes hunting him down, Hobbs could turn to his old friend for assistance during the events ofFast and Furious 11- the CIA would be a crucial ally in this fight against the Reyes family.
Reynolds’ Character Is One Of Many Wasted Hobbs & Shaw Elements
The Spinoff Missed Countless Great Opportunities
Unfortunately, it’s not that surprising thatFast & Furioushas failed to capitalize on such a lucrative element ofHobbs & Shaw. Since the movie’s release,the franchise has essentially abandoned the projectand neglected to integrate the story into the main saga. The spinoff was initially marketed as a side project that would explore Luke and Deckard’s stories tangentially toFast & Furious, developing them separately while having them appear in the main saga at the same time. Unfortunately,Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel’s real-life feudseemed to get in the way of those plans.
These behind-the-scenes disputes were partially responsible for Johnson’s temporary exit from the franchise, and that completely derailed all plans for Luke Hobbs’ character going into the future. Andwithout Hobbs, there was really no home for Victor Locke either. The feud was a huge problem forFast & Furious, forcing the writers to change much of their long-term plan for the story. They had to weave Hobbs’ exit into the narrative in a way that felt smooth and natural. And while they were successful for the most part, it retroactively madeHobbs & Shawfeel like somewhat of a waste of time.
Hobbs & Shaw Feels More Disconnected From Fast & Furious Than Ever 5 Years Later
The Spinoff Has No Real Purpose Anymore
After five years and countless story changes, the future ofHobbs & Shawin theFast & Furiousmovies looks completely different. Not only are both characters now securely back in the main franchise (meaning there’s no need for these spinoffs), but there’s alsotalk of a solo Hobbs filmon the horizon. This decision seemingly pushes Deckard’s character to the side, removing him from the spinoff and sorely reducing the chances of gettingHobbs & Shaw 2.There’s clearly been some reshuffling of ideas in the writers’ room, and as a result, this ill-timed spinoff has lost its place in the franchise,
Hobbs & Shawwas supposed to be disconnected from the main series, butit’s hard to believe that such a clear abandonment of the film’s side characters was part of the plan. Victor Locke is only one example of a character that was introduced inHobbs & Shaw, just to be forgotten later thanks to the spinoff’s poor planning. Figures like Vanessa Kirby’s Hattie Shaw, Eiza Gonzelez’s Madam M, and Idris Elba’s Brixton Lore all feel devoid of purpose now that Luke and Deckard have returned to the mainFast & Furiousfranchise and left them behind.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Cast
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw marks a spin-off from the Fast & Furious franchise, uniting Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham as adversaries-turned-allies. They confront Brixton, a cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist, whose dangerous plans imperil the world, leading the unlikely duo to collaborate in thwarting this global threat.
