Why Are Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham Not in Fast and Furious 9?

{{title}} has puzzled many fans of the Fast and Furious franchise. Why did two of the most beloved stars of the series, Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, not appear in Fast and Furious 9? Let's delve into the actors' schedules, conflicting productions, and the significance of their absence.

Busy Filming Schedules

When Fast and Furious 9 was filming in 2018, Dwayne Johnson was involved in two major projects simultaneously - Jungle Cruise and Hobbs and Shaw.

Johnson was under a significant production schedule that kept him very busy. Jungle Cruise was an ambitious project involving large sets, exotic locations, and complex stunts. In the same year, he was also involved in the filming of Hobbs and Shaw, another action-packed film in the franchise. This dual commitment left no room for additional filming for Johnson in Fast and Furious 9.

Substitutions and Productions

Given Johnson's commitment to Jungle Cruise and Hobbs and Shaw, John Cena had to step in to replace him in Fast and Furious 9. It's worth noting that this decision was not made lightly. The production needed to ensure that the continuity and quality of the film were maintained. Furthermore, as a producer for the film adaptation of the comic book character Shazam, released in 2019, Johnson's involvement in another project would have created scheduling conflicts.

The Diesel-Johnson Rivalry and the Hobbs and Shaw Spin-off

Jason Statham, on the other hand, was not a part of Fast and Furious 9 for a different reason. According to sources, the actors were not getting along on set, which made their collaboration challenging. This budding tension between the two stars was partly the reason for the Hobbs and Shaw spin-off, which was intended to cool off their relationship.

Statham's involvement in Fast and Furious 9 was not initially planned. He simply tagged along for the ride and eventually became a prominent figure in the film. The suitability of his character and the scheduling alignment of his other projects made it easier for the production to include him in the film.

The Timeline of Johnson and Statham's Other Involvements

Additionally, both actors were busy with their other projects. Dwayne Johnson produced the superhero movie Shazam!, which starred him in a different role. This production took him away from the Fast and Furious set, forcing a substitution. As for Jason Statham, his presence was more aligned with the timing of other productions, including Hobbs and Shaw.

Another factor to consider is that Johnson was actively involved in WWE's attempted film adaptation, which became Fighting With My Family. Given the health of one of the real female wrestlers captured in the film, Paige, there were scheduling constraints that prevented a seamless transition between projects.

In summary, the absence of Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in Fast and Furious 9 can be attributed to busy filming schedules, scheduling conflicts, personal rivalries, and other production commitments. Despite their absence, these actors remain fan favorites and continue to captivate audiences in their respective projects.