'Empire' season 3 cast news: French Montana to feature as one of Lucious's good friends

facebook.com/EmpireFOX

French Montana's role in the upcoming premiere episode of "Empire" season has been revealed.

Entertainment Weekly reported that the rapper will portray the role of a music mogul named Vaughn, a part of Lucious Lyon's (Terrence Howard) powerful circle.

Series co-creator Lee Daniels shared a photo of Montana on the set of "Empire" season 3 on Instagram, together with Howard. Rapper Birdman, who will appear as himself in the premiere episode titled "Light in Darkness," is also seen in the photo.

Meanwhile, executive producer Ilene Chaiken revealed her plans for the third season of "Empire" in an interview with TVLine.

"What we're setting up is a battle of dark vs. light. Who are the Lyons and how will they continue to define themselves going forward? Can they ever change?" the executive producer stated. "Is Lucious the dark lord, pulling them all in the other direction? And really, where does Tariq fit in with all of this? I would venture that if Tariq really is Lucious' half-brother, there probably isn't a good one and a bad one."

Chaiken also mentioned that there will be repercussions after Lucious decided to marry Anika (Grace Gealey) at the end of season 2, especially in his relationship with Cookie (Taraji P. Henson).

"The family is together, the company is together, and Lucious and Cookie will be in one another's faces and lives," Chaiken said, "but her [being finished with Lucious] is going to color everything."

The third season of "Empire" is also expected to showcase Jamal's (Jussie Smollett) road to recovery, as well as the development of his budding romance with music producer D-Major (Tobias Truvillion).

Fans are also looking forward to see who among Anika and Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) fell from the hotel railing during a fight at the end of season 2.

"Empire" season 2 is scheduled to premiere on FOX on Sept. 21.