Fast and the Furious 8 will go back to its "racing root" in tribute to the late Paul Walker, one of the movie's main stars, Michelle Rodriguez told People during UNITAS Gala Against Sex Trafficking in New York City.
"[Paul] wanted to bring it back down to the core, which is the racing," Rodriguez said. "He was always complaining about the special effects and the blue screens." The 37-year-old actress said that Fast and Furious 8 will veer away from "exaggerated explosions and crazy plot lines," as it tries to remain "true to Paul's wishes."
Walker died on November 30, 2013 in a violent car crash after attending a charity event, while in the middle of the filming of Furious 7. The film paid tribute to Walker in the movie.
Rodriguez's statement came following earlier revelations by another main star Vin Diesel that the next iteration of the Fast and Furious franchise will return to its famous car chase scenes. She added that the Fast and Furious 8 will continue where Furious 7 has left off and that Walker's influence will be prominent in the next movie.
She also reiterated Diesel's earlier statement that Fast and Furious 8 would remain true to car audience which was the original premise of the movie when it was first shown.
"I think that's what Vin [Diesel] meant when [he said] his main focus on the next one will be trying to keep it true to that car audience," she said. "Hopefully we'll be able to do that cause it's gotten bigger than ever and you know we also have to stay true to that so it'll be a challenge."
Meanwhile, Diesel dispelled rumors that the sequel to Fast and Furious has been cancelled as he also revealed key plots about the upcoming movie.
Diesel took on to social media, particularly Facebook to thank fans of the franchise who stood with him the past seven installments of the Fast and Furious series. He wrote, "The fans of the Fast & Furious saga are the best fans in the world. Since I became the producer in 2008, you have been with me every step of the way, literally giving me feedback that proved invaluable. Thank you."
He added that Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray has already agreed to direct the next installment of Fast and Furious. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Diesel has confirmed that the next franchise will take place right here in New York City.
"New York, baby!" Diesel told Jimmy Fallon, as reported by Time, who asked about the film during a visit to The Tonight Show. Diesel said they are planning three more Fast and Furious movies and he will be appearing in the trilogy. The first seven Furious sequels have earned $2.3 billion worldwide.
Fast & Furious 8 is scheduled to hit theatres on April 14, 2017.
