The Rock’s Comeback in Fast & Furious Reinvigorates the Franchise’s Most Underrated Pairing

Dwayne “The Rock”Johnson made a thrilling comeback to the Fast & Furious franchise in 2023, reigniting excitement among fans as he joins the next film. Debuting in 2011’s Fast Five, Johnson’s character Luke Hobbs has become integral to the series, appearing in six Fast & Furious titles, including the successful Hobbs & Shaw spinoff. Although tensions between Johnson and Vin Diesel led to Hobbs’ absence in F9, his return in Fast X ensures he plays a significant role in the imminent conclusion of the saga.

Although the main storyline is reaching its climax, the Fast & Furious universe is expected to thrive through various spinoffs. Johnson has already confirmed that a solo Hobbs project is underway, likely aimed at harnessing the success of Hobbs & Shaw while capitalizing on Johnson’s undeniable star power. While the specific cast lineup for this project remains uncertain, Johnson’s involvement in Fast & Furious 11 offers a prime opportunity for him to reunite with familiar faces.

Hobbs Needs Another Scene With Roman in the Main Cast

The Duo Deserves a Reunion Before the Series Concludes

The Rock as Luke Hobbs shouting while Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce looks up with money around them in Fast & Furious

Despite their limited interactions throughout the Fast & Furious saga, the chemistry between Hobbs and Roman Pearce is undeniable, and fans are eager for at least one more shared scene now that The Rock is back. While Hobbs is likely to team up with prominent characters, including Dom due to their ongoing conflicts, the potential for a humorous one-on-one interaction with Roman remains uncertain. Given that both actors are part of the franchise’s final chapter, it would be a missed opportunity not to showcase their dynamic.

Movie	Budget	Box Office (Worldwide)
The Fast and the Furious	$38 million	$207 million
2 Fast 2 Furious	$76 million	$236 million
The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift	$85 million	$159 million
Fast & Furious	$85 million	$360 million
Fast Five	$125 million	$626 million
Fast & Furious 6	$160 million	$788 million
Furious 7	$190 million	$1.5 billion
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw	$200 million	$760 million
The Fate of the Furious	$250 million	$1.2 billion
F9	$200 million	$726 million
Fast X	$340 million	$714 million

It has been over seven years since Hobbs and Roman last shared the screen, and by the release of Fast & Furious 11, it will be nearing nine. The absence of their dynamic chemistry leaves audiences yearning for more, making it a lost chance to keep Johnson and Gibson apart, especially when they have produced some of the franchise’s most entertaining scenes. Every moment spent together in previous installments proved successful, highlighting their status as a memorable duo in the series.

Roman & Hobbs: The Franchise’s Most Underrated Duo

The Rock & Tyrese Gibson: A Perfect Match

Throughout its 20-year legacy, Fast & Furious has seen many iconic duos, yet Roman and Hobbs stand out as the most underrated. While Roman typically shares his adventures with Tej—recently joined by Ramsey—Hobbs usually partners with Shaw. However, their on-screen pairings deliver a unique blend of humor and energy that resonates with audiences. Notable moments, such as Hobbs shooting a vending machine during a tense briefing, perfectly exemplify the comedic chemistry these two share.

The chaos of Hobbs redirecting a missile during a car chase with Roman behind the wheel remains one of the franchise’s highlights, combining exhilaration with humor. Furthermore, even brief interactions, such as their comedic exchanges during Fast & Furious 6’s BBQ scene, reveal a dynamic that deserves further exploration. The restrictions on their collaborative moments expose a broader issue of character interaction within the franchise, but each appearance together brings unparalleled entertainment, affirming that Roman and Hobbs’ team-ups are true gems in the series.

Challenges for Hobbs & Roman’s Reunion in Fast & Furious 11

The Serious Tone and Hobbs’ Detachment from the Main Crew

Dwayne The Rock Johnson as Luke Hobbs, Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, and Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce looking serious in Fast and Furious

While Johnson’s return greatly excites fans, the storyline of Fast & Furious 11 could complicate a reunion between Hobbs and Roman. Hobbs’ narrative in Fast X introduces a significant personal journey involving Dante, and as he navigates this intense narrative, he may not align promptly with the film’s core group. Additionally, the last time audiences saw Roman, he was aboard a plane that was shot down, rendering his future uncertain. Although he is expected to return, it’s evident that his objectives with Han, Tej, and Ramsey differ from Hobbs’, potentially delaying their reunion until later in the movie.

If the entire crew converges for a final plan, the available time frame for Hobbs and Roman’s interaction will be minimal. As the saga escalates toward its dramatic conclusion, introducing comedic exchanges could be challenging. However, the Fast & Furious series has a history of seamlessly blending humor with action, suggesting that there still exists a possibility for a memorable moment between Roman and Hobbs, provided they find themselves on the same side.

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