Fast 8, the next installment in the billion-dollar Fast & Furious film franchise, won’t his theaters for another year, but it’s already making headlines with the recent announcements of two new cast members. Joining Dominic Toretto and the rest of the speed-loving crew are two new characters played by South African beauty Charlize Theron and Scott Eastwood, the young actor who is the spittin’ image of is father, cinematic icon Clint Eastwood.
No news yet on the precise role she’ll play, though it’s highly speculated that it’s villainous vixen of some sort. No argument here. But some are taking exception with rumors that the younger Eastwood may step into the late Paul Walker’s character as Brian O’Connor. After all, Furious 7 ended with O’Connor retiring from the street racing and car heist game to focus on being a dad. Since the character lives on, it’s feasible that he could be brought back into the story line. Well, rest easy, film fans. Turns out Eastwood will play Brian O’Connor’s long lost brother.
What we do know is that the story line will take the crew cross-country, ditching the familiar Los Angeles scenes for the streets of New York City. Kurt Russell will return as Mr. Nobody. And rumors that Eva Mendez will reprise her role as US Customs agent Monica Fuentes are in high gear.
While the future of the film franchise was in question after the November 2013 death of Walker in a devastating car crash, it appears there’s no letup in fan interest or box office potential. We here at E3 Spark Plugs are looking forward to Fast 8 and anxiously awaiting word on the equally important cast lineup – that of the cars taking to the Manhattan streets.
