Spoiler warning if you haven’t seen Furious 7…

Despite being locked away by Dwayne Johnson in a maximum security cell somewhere near the Earth’s crust at the end of Furious 7, it looks like no cage can truly contain the fury of Jason Statham’s bad guy Deckard Shaw as the action star tells Access Hollywood that he’ll return for another bout with Vin Diesel’s crew in Furious 8.

“We’re already talking about doing another one, Part 8,” Statham declares. “I’m a newcomer! I just got invited to the party in this last one so it’s nice to know I’m gonna be doing another… They’ve always got something good up their sleeve, and I don’t want to be the one who spoils the plot lines but there is some great stuff I already know about.”

After taking in over $1.5 billion worldwide, Furious 7 is just a few million shy of besting The Avengers to become the third-highest-grossing movie of all-time, a level of success Statham chalks up to the series’ steadfast following.

“The fanbase is really unique,” says the actor. “They really do relate to these characters, they love these characters, they’ve followed them for years and years.”

Star Vin Diesel announced Furious 8 at this year’s CinemaCon after the unprecedented success of the seventh film, and he along with Statham, Johnson and Kurt Russell are expected to return, along with franchise regulars Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black reprising their roles as street racers-turned-international criminals-turned-super-secret agents.

Universal Pictures will deliver Furious 8 for an April 14, 2017 release.

It was reported back in April that Universal was interested in getting Eva Mendes to reprise the role of agent Monica Fuentes in the upcoming Fast & Furious 8, and now it appears that the star’s involvement is almost a done deal. A source close to the production tells We Got This Covered that the current plot of the eighth film actually hinges on her character, who played a significant role in 2 Fast 2 Furious and cameoed in Fast Five, and it’s pretty much a sure thing that Mendes will sign on.

Our source asked to remain anonymous, and their connection to the project is solid enough that we feel comfortable respecting that. They say that Fuentes will be teaming up with Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and the rest of the gang to take on a new villain in the Big Apple. Additionally, conversations about Helen Mirren and Jason Statham both playing villainous roles in the pic, are still taking place, with the latter reprising the role of Deckard Shaw from Furious 7. Our source wouldn’t confirm that either is definitely signed on, but that their names are still coming up as the octoquel continues to develop does lend validity to the possibility of their involvement.

As for newcomers to the franchise, Universal is apparently looking to cast a young Hispanic actor in the role of a racer with a close relationship to Fuentes. Tommy Hatto was at one point in consideration for that part, though it’s unclear if he still is. That young actor hasn’t done much, but he had a small part in Thor: The Dark World and previously worked with Mendes when he auditioned for the lead role in How to Catch a Monster. He was also on the red carpet at the premiere of Fast & Furious 6, though he was not involved with that film. Our source says that his name has come up more than once, but Universal hasn’t locked down anyone for the part he’s being considered for.

At this point, only Diesel, Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson are absolutely certain to reprise their roles. But with the story taking shape around Fuentes, it’s great to hear that the actress is on the cusp of signing on, if she hasn’t already.

JohnConstantine wrote:Universal Can’t Find A Director For ‘Furious 8,’ Are Worried Vin Diesel Might Want To Do It

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