'Fast & Furious 8' movie cast rumors: Helen Mirren, Eva Mendez, Cody Walker, and Kurt Russell?
While "Furious 7" is still busy making waves in the box office following its successful release over the weekend, talks about the next installment in "The Fast and the Furious" franchise are already making a buzz online.
Lead star Vin Diesel earlier mentioned that the story could follow Kurt Russell's character, Mr. Nobody, in New York, but the latest reports claim that several stars are thinking about joining or returning to the franchise for "Fast & Furious 8."
Back in March, Oscar winning actress Helen Mirren told Yahoo! that it has always been her dream to land a role in a "Fast & Furious" film. Part of her bucket list is to become a driver in the film series, where she could be doing her own race stunts.
New rumors are now claiming that Eva Mendez, who was featured in "2 Fast 2 Furious" and appeared in a cameo role in "Fast Five" as U.S. Customs Agent Monica Fuentes, might return to the eighth installment of the franchise. According to various reports, Agent Fuentes' inclusion in the alleged film is crucial to the film's plot. However, Mendez and Universal Studios are still mum about the validity of the report.
Meanwhile, actress Jordana Brewster is still contemplating if her character Mia will be returning to the franchise after her husband Brian O'Conner decided to retire from their fast-paced lifestyle. Brian was portrayed by actor Paul Walker all throughout the series until he passed away in 2013 due to a vehicular accident. So if Walker's character will not be in the show anymore, should Mia still return for the eighth film?
According to Brewster, "I don't know [if I'd do another film], but it's always dependent on the fans. If they want one and if there's an appetite for it. We never want to jump the shark!"
There are talks about the possible inclusion of Walker's younger brother Cody in "Furious 8" as well, after reports emerged that he signed up with an agent days before the premiere of "Furious 7." Cody, together with older brother Caleb, served as a body double for their late brother toward the end of the film's shooting.
A source told the Daily Mail that the studio plans to introduce Cody as a new character as a tribute to his deceased brother, saying, "The producers were really grateful that he stepped in to help them finish this last film. It would be a tribute to Paul that Cody carries on the Walker name in the Fast and Furious movies."