'Fast and Furious 8' plot news: Sean Boswell may return in final trilogy

While there is no official confirmation regarding the return of Cody Walker in "Fast 8" and its announced sequels, a report from Cinema Blend points out that the hole left behind by the late Paul Walker, who played main character Brian O'Conner, might be filled in by "Tokyo Drift" star Lucas Black.

Lucas Black as Sean Boswell, as seen in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo DriftUniversal Pictures

Black portrayed the character Sean Boswell in the third installment in the franchise, "Tokyo Drift," which chronologically takes place after the events of the fourth, fifth and sixth entries but prior to the seventh.

Sean Boswell later appeared in "Fast and Furious 7" when Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) went to Tokyo to discuss Han's (Sung Kang) death. The report pointed out that Sean's return was inevitable as the actor had already signed to reprise his role as far back as 2013. 

When Black signed on, "Fast and the Furious 6" had just been released and the seventh was still a year way from production. At the time, it was expected that Sean Boswell would be helping Toretto and O'Conner, but due to the untimely death of actor Paul Walker, it now appears that Boswell will be stepping in as Toretto's new partner.

Although unconfirmed, Sean Boswell may be seen in "Fast 8" and in "Fast 9" as his contract ends with the ninth film. It is within the realms of possibility that he will be signed on again for the tenth and final film. 

However, it is important to note that just because the actor has signed on to appear it does not mean the studios will indeed use him. The contract does not obligate the studios to have Black appear in the films, but if they ever do decide to have Sean appear, Black will be obligated to act. This is the same obligatory contract actors sign for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As confirmed by Variety, "Fast 8" will launch in theaters on April 14, 2017, with or without Black as Sean Boswell. "Fast 9" will follow suit by April 19, 2019 and "Fast 10" will end the saga on April 2, 2021.