Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren will be joining "Fast & Furious 8" as the one who will help Jason Statham break free from jail, according to rumors. In a report, International Business Times of India said that the Hollywood icon will be taking on a villain role. She will be responsible for helping Deckard Shaw, Statham's character, to escape from prison.
The rumors that Mirren will be joining the cast circulated after she expressed her desire to be part of the film in an interview with Seth Meyers earlier this year, the report said. Vin Diesel apparently said that it would be a great honor for him and other cast members of the "Fast & Furious 8" if they would be joined by Mirren. For her part, the actress said that it is not just an honor for her but also one of her great ambitions as an actress.
Deckard Shaw was the villain in "Fast & Furious 7" and he ended up in jail toward the end of the film after Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and company got the better of him and his extreme revenge motive, according to Master Herald. Aside from Mirren, other actresses who were rumored to possibly star in the eighth installment of the successful movie franchise are Eva Mendes and Australian actress Ruby Rose.
Rose, who rose to fame in "Orange is the New Black," reportedly auditioned for a part in "Fast & Furious 7" but was turned down because someone apparently said she looks like Justin Bieber. However, recent reports claim that Universal Studios has already reached out to the actress with the intention of casting her for the next installment of the franchise.
Meanwhile, Eva Mendes is said to be reprising her role as customs agent Monica Fuentes, who was featured in "2 Fast 2 Furious" back in 2003. She also appeared in the post-credits of "Fast & Furious 5" in 2011 where she said that Letty Ortiz, portrayed by Michelle Rodriguez, was still alive. Rumors have it that Mendes' character will cause a strain on the relationship of Dominic Toretto and Letty Ortiz.
"Fast & Furious 8" will hit worldwide theaters on April 14, 2017.
