Dame Helen Mirren is revving up for a role in “Fast 8,” an individual with knowledge of the project confirmed to TheWrap.
“I like [film] to be serious. Of course, having said that I’m about to do ‘Fast and Furious 8.’ But that’s for the fun of it. So maybe that’s what I want as well, some fun and some relevant, serious, important movies,” Mirren said in an interview with Elle.
Mirren’s exact role in the film is currently unknown, but she is a known car enthusiast and insists on doing her own driving in films.
“I’ve always rather loved driving. I said, ‘I’ll be in it, but only if I’m allowed to drive if I do drive in it.’ But we’ll see. We’ll see how it transpires,” she said.
Mirren is no stranger to the action genre, however, having appeared in the 2010 Bruce Willis vehicle “RED” and its 2013 sequel “RED 2.” Oh, and she won an Oscar in 2007 for “The Queen.”
Mirren is the latest high-profile addition to the already popular franchise. Charlize Theron will play the villain in the film, while “Game of Thrones” actor Kristofer Hivju will play her chief henchman.
Vin Diesel will return to star as Dominic Toretto along with Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez and Jason Statham as the villainous Deckard Shaw.
Currently known as “Fast 8” to fans, the high-octane sequel is being directed by F. Gary Gray (“Straight Outta Compton”) and produced by Diesel, Neal Moritz of Original Film and Michael Fottrell. Screenwriter Chris Morgan will serve as an executive producer.
“Fast 8” will speed into theaters on April 14, 2017.
