'Fast and Furious 8' has signed Charlize Theron as the franchise's latest villain. The actress joins the wide ensemble that includes Vin Diesel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham and Kurt Russell. Paul Walker's close friend Scott Eastwood has also confirmed his involvement in the upcoming film.
According to the Guardian, Theron has signed on to play the series' newest villain. No further details have been revealed of Theron's antagonist as of the present.
The Academy Award-winning actress is no stranger to portraying cinematic baddies. She was introduced as the malicious Queen Ravenna in Rupert Sanders' 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and is set to reprise her role alongside Emily Blunt in the sequel 'The Huntsman: Winter's War'. She also portrayed the infamous serial killer Aileen Wuornos on the big screen in Patty Jenkin's critically-acclaimed crime drama film 'Monster', although technically she wasn't a stereotypical movie villain there.
Theron has also proven herself as a certified action star after starring in films such as 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'Hancock'and 'Aeon Flux', according to the Independent. She has also collaborated with 'Fast and Furious 8' director F. Gary Grey in the 2008 remake of 'The Italian Job' opposite Mark Wahlberg.
Meanwhile, newcomer Scott Eastwood has also joined the new cast in a yet unnamed role. The actor and model is famously known as Clint Eastwood's son and appeared on films such as 'Flags of Our Fathers', 'Gran Torino', 'Fury' and 'The Longest Ride'.
According to E!, Eastwood himself confirmed his involvement through Instagram where he posted, "It's hard to put into words how excited I am for the next Fast & Furious... To me, the series is so much more than just a franchise. It's a legacy. These great actors who have been in it together for so long have become a family. I absolutely can't wait to join it."
He also opened up about being close friends with series mainstay Paul Walker, who lost his life following a fatal vehicular accident in 2013. Eastwood revealed, "We surfed together, traveled together, and he was a huge role model and influencing figure in my life when I was younger. He still is. He was an older brother to me. For me to be able to add to the F&F story, Paul's story, and the FAST family is like a dream come true."
'Fast and Furious 8' is an upcoming action-thriller film intended as the eighth installment in the long-running 'Fast and the Furious' franchise. It is directed by F. Gary Grey. It is scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 14, 2017.
