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Hobbs & Shaw

*Hobbs & Shaw* is a 2019 action film and the first spin-off of the *Fast & Furious* franchise.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (also known as Hobbs & Shaw) is a 2019 action film directed by David Leitch. It is the first spin-off of the Fast & Furious franchise and stars Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham as Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw. The film follows the two rivals forced into an uneasy alliance against a cybernetically enhanced villain.

Premise

The film follows Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw after they are forced to work together to stop Brixton Lore and recover a dangerous virus. The story centres on their rivalry, their alliance, and Shaw’s attempt to protect his sister, Hattie.

Production

The film was directed by David Leitch and written by Chris Morgan. It was produced as a spin-off from the main Fast & Furious series and positioned as a separate team-up film for the two characters.

Cast

Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham headline the film as Hobbs and Shaw. The supporting cast includes Idris Elba as Brixton Lore, Vanessa Kirby as Hattie Shaw, and Helen Mirren in a returning role as Magdalene Shaw.

Reception and release

Universal Pictures released the film in theatres on August 2, 2019. Reported box-office information and genre listings identify it as an action, adventure, and comedy film. The film was distributed in Canada as part of Universal Pictures’ international release of a major Hollywood franchise title, and it was marketed to Canadian audiences alongside the wider North American launch.

Key facts

  • It is the first spin-off film in the Fast & Furious series.
  • The film pairs Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, forcing them into an alliance against a cybernetically enhanced villain.
  • Idris Elba plays Brixton Lore, the cybernetically enhanced antagonist.
  • Vanessa Kirby plays Hattie Shaw, Deckard Shaw’s sister and an MI6 agent.
  • The film was released on August 2, 2019.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed in Canada as part of Universal Pictures’ international release of a major Hollywood franchise title, and it was marketed to Canadian audiences alongside the wider North American launch. [2][6]

Frequently asked questions

What is Hobbs & Shaw?
It is a 2019 Fast & Furious spin-off film starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.
Who directed Hobbs & Shaw?
David Leitch directed the film.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw, played by Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.
Who is the villain in Hobbs & Shaw?
The villain is Brixton Lore, played by Idris Elba.
When was Hobbs & Shaw released?
It was released in theatres on August 2, 2019.
Is Hobbs & Shaw part of the main Fast & Furious storyline?
It is a spin-off and is widely described as largely stand-alone, though it connects to characters from the franchise.

References

  1. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/fast-and-furious-presents-hobbs-and-shaw-movie-facts
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, premise, and release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6806448/
    Supports: Core synopsis and character pairing.
  3. Empire — https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/hobbs-shaw-everything-need-know-fast-furious-spin/
    Supports: Spin-off status, characters, villain, and production details.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fast_and_furious_presents_hobbs_and_shaw
    Supports: Synopsis, genre, and theatrical release date.
  5. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m15374/hobbs-and-shaw
    Supports: Stand-alone franchise context, cast, and release information.
  6. SpoilerTown — https://spoilertown.com/fast-furious-presents-hobbs-shaw-2019/
    Supports: Plot summary and the film's action-comedy framing.
  7. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WdvshZCyJY
    Supports: Cast and character identification from recap video metadata.