With Fast and Furious 8 finally getting a director, production for the film is commencing as scheduled. So far, the release date has been set for April 14, 2017. Hopefully for fans, there will be no further delays. Last week, franchise veteran Vin Diesel confirmed the setting in New York City. Even so, the actor himself had already teased the location for quite some time.
On October 14, Wednesday, Diesel told The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon that Furious 8 is coming to the Big Apple. This will be a dramatic departure from the series' original location in Los Angeles. Previously, the City of the Angels was the main backdrop for Furious 7. The star also revealed that the eighth installment in the Fast and Furious franchise is the beginning of a larger trilogy.
Before actor Paul Walker's tragic accident in late 2013, Furious 7 was supposed to kick off a new three-part story arc. Plans came to naught after Walker died. Even though Furious 7 went on to become a commercial success, it was not certain whether there would be a Furious 8. Rumors originally stated that the seventh film would be the final chapter in the franchise.
Vin Diesel put this question to rest after confirming that there will be an eighth chapter in the series. However, the greater surprise is that Universal is going beyond Furious 8.
Many familiar faces in the Furious franchise will be returning to the series. They include Vin Diesel as Dominic "Dom" Toretto, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Agent Luke Hobbs, and Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz.
Last month, Rodriguez revealed that the film will be faithful to Paul Walker's vision for returning the franchise to its core roots.
"[Paul] wanted to bring it back down to the core, which is the racing," Rodriguez told People Magazine. "He was always complaining about the special effects and the blue screens...exaggerated explosions and crazy plot lines."
Many signs are suggesting that iconic action star Kurt Russell will return as shadowy government man "Mr. Nobody". It has been said that he will have an expanded role in Furious 8.
Meanwhile, it is unclear whether actress Eva Mendes is coming back to the series as U.S. Customs Agent Monica Fuentes. There were rumors that she will be returning. However, nothing else has materialized. It seems for now that the information is nothing but pure gossip.
Director F. Gary Gray, whose credits include the recently successful Straight Outta Compton, has been confirmed as the Furious 8 director. Universal has yet to unveil a shooting schedule for the upcoming film.
