For those who were disappointed to hear the news of Fast and the Furious 9 been pushed ahead for one year from its previous release date, this news might just cheer them up! Universal Studios has just announced a release date of the Fast and Furious spin-off. The film will hit screens on July 26, 2019. It was undoubtedly the most talked about spinoff in the fan forum, as everyone was intrigued to see an ultimate showdown between Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham !

As the reports suggest, Chris Morgan, who penned down the script for 2006's Toyko Drift, will be writing the spinoff that will focus on Luke Hobbs, the Diplomatic Security Service agent played by Johnson. And he will be pitted against Deckard Shaw, an assassin character who was one of the primary bad guys in the franchise before being redeemed and joining the odd crew of antiheroes!

Johnson first appeared in 2011’s Fast Five and has become a USP in the franchise's rejuvenation and growth and so far, he has starred in four of the eight films. Statham debuted in Fast & Furious 6 and co-starred in the last two films. It was during the making of the last installment, The Fate of the Furious, that Universal began mulling a spinoff with the two actors after seeing their chemistry spark in the dailies.

And as reports say, one reason for Fast and Furious 9's push was to accommodate potential director scheduling. Reportedly, director Justin Lin may be lining up to return to the franchise. He is the top man to helm the core entry of Fast & Furious 9. Hope makers and distributors follow the tradition and release this spin-off on the same date in Indian theatres as the international release is planned!