"Fast and Furious 8" is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated movies of the franchise. Although its release is set on 2017, fans cannot seem to get enough updates regarding Universal's blockbuster series.

Key cast members, who recently attended the launch of "Supercharged," a "Fast and Furious"-based theme park ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, commented about the casting rumors surrounding the film's eight installment.

Reports say that "Fast and Furious 8" will have a new villain in veteran actress Helen Mirren. She will purportedly join hands with Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who had earlier confirmed that he was back on the show, to stir up trouble for Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson).

Statham earlier spoke to Access Hollywood about his excitement over returning for the next movie in the franchise.

"We're already talking about doing another one, Part 8. I'm a newcomer, I just got invited to the party on this last one. It is nice to know I'll be doing another," he said.

Rumors about Mirren's casting surfaced in early March when she expressed her desire to join the movie in an interview with Yahoo Movies.

"I keep putting it out there, and they never ask me. I'll be in 'Fast and Furious 8.' I have to say Vin Diesel is brilliant," the award-winning actress said.

Vin Diesel, for his part, told Access Hollywood that he would not think twice about letting her join the cast. "Of course I would! Who wouldn't? It's Helen. Amazing. Tell her I said so," he said.

Meanwhile, Michelle Rodriguez, who plays the tough Letty Ortiz, commented about the rumored possibility of Eva Mendes' return as Monica Fuentes. The undercover Customs agent was Toretto's love interest back in "2 Fast 2 Furious" in 2003.

"I think that first off, girls should stop fighting each other, and we should start uniting for once. That's how I feel about that. Secondly, I think that everything is speculation until we're actually shooting and immortalizing stuff on film."

Rodriguez also spoke about her vision for the next movie in the franchise, Enstarz reports.

"If I were ever to do it, I think you have to be all encompassing. You have to think holistically and look for the broader audiences. And I don't like hating on guys to make women powerful. I think you can do both," she said.

"Fast and Furious 8" will be released on April 15, 2017.