Fast Five as a US Diplomatic Security Service agent tapped to take down Dominic Torreto and his crew, he eventually ed forces with them after learning the truth about the murdered DEA agents. Hobbs has been a staple of the franchise ever since, but he's sitting out F9 for the first time since he ed the car-centric series in 2011.
Thus far, Hobbs has appeared in four Fast & Furious movies. After helping Dom hunt down the Shaw brothers, Owen and Deckard, in protagonist Deckard and his sister, Hattie, to take down the cybernetically-enhanced former MI6 agent Brixton who was threatening the world with a deadly virus. While the team was able to stop the villain from his nefarious plans, there was a clear indication that the debacle with Eteon isn't over, setting up the inevitable sequel.
Hobbs may now be occupied with his own endeavors with Deckard and his alliance with Dom and his crew is behind him as he's not going to be involved in their battle with the Cipher-backed, Jakob. This doesn't mean, however, that he won't find himself involved in the "la familia's" business in the future. If anything, his absence in F9 could simply be a way to bring him back to the main saga.
The Rock's Feud With Vin Diesel Is Over (So He Could Return)
Rumors of the feud between Johnson and why Hobbs won't be in F9.
Whatever went down between the Diesel and Johnson, however, it seems like all is good between the pair now. In 2019, Diesel wished Hobbs & Shaw success, while its star took replied with a promise that he'll see him soon. More recently, Diesel posted an image of him and Johnson from Fast Five with a tease of what's to come for The Fast Saga beyond F9. In conjunction with these, Gibson has revealed in December 2020 that his feud with Johnson is over as well. Patching things up may have come a little too late for Diesel to be involved in F9, but this paves the way for him to return for Fast & Furious 10 and 11.
How F9 Could Setup The Rock's Fast & Furious Return
Unlike their supposed falling out in real life, Dom and Hobbs actually never had any issues with each other. The last time they saw each other in their leader, The Director whose identity remains unknown, will be revealed in the future. Given this, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Eteon is ultimately connected to Cipher — the primary adversary in the main Fast & Furious saga. Assuming that this is the case, Dom and Hobbs will inevitably find themselves back together fighting the same bad guys.
Otherwise, Dom can simply reach out to Hobbs for help as they face a new and deadlier threat. Considering their previous experience working with each other before, not to mention both having similar core principles, it won't be that difficult for Hobbs to re-team with the Toretto gang. Regardless of how this pans out, Hobbs re-ing the main franchise fits well with the idea that Fast & Furious 10 will start the culmination of The Fast Saga. Given this, it makes total sense for it to bring in as many franchise players back for an epic finale.
The Rock's Return Can Help Properly End The Fast & Furious Franchise
Kicking off in 2001, The Fast Saga has grown exponentially over the years, outgrowing its streetcar racing roots to be a full-blown action-adventure franchise. As it gears up for F9, there's already excitement for its two-part finale in Fast & Furious 10 and 11. Diesel explained that he and original co-star Paul Walker always planned on wrapping the franchise up on its 10th installment, but after seeing the success of Marvel Studios' The Fast Saga's ending across two movies, that way, they can ensure that all loose plot threads are tied up for a satisfying farewell. This also means that they're allowed to explore smaller but still significant plot threads, including Dom and Hobbs' complex relationship. Perhaps either of the film series' final two entries could even reference the pair's real-life feud, baking it into their characters' narrative adding a meta element to them.
Additionally, Hobbs' potential appearance in Fast & Furious 10 and/or 11 after sitting Fast & Furious 9 out could also effectively set-up more and better spin-offs, particularly Hobbs & Shaw's future which was already teased in the original David Leitch movie. This way, his way, The Fast Saga can continue even after the main narrative has ended. Considering how popular these movies have become, Universal are already looking for more option to take advantage of its massive fan-base.
