“Fast & Furious 8” is still more than 17 months away from its scheduled April 14, 2017, release date on global cinemas, but people are already talking about the rumored prequels and spinoffs of the successful film franchise based on different characters.
Actor Vin Diesel confirmed the speculations when he said the writers of the film series have already written out story lines for various characters because they have been toying with the idea for a long time. Diesel is also one of the producers of the successful movie franchise under Universal Pictures.
But the actor refuses to divulge on who among the characters of the franchise shall have the possibility of a prequel or a spinoff, notes the Christian Post.
In an interview, Vin Diesel said that “Fast & Furious 8” may be the start of the trilogy to conclude the film franchise, but that does not prevent them from producing and coming out with prequels and spinoffs.
Broadening the franchise
Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Pictures also confirmed the possibility of more spinoffs from the movie series by saying that there is now an ongoing discussion to broaden the reach of the franchise.
Speculations are rife that it could be Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s character Luke Hobbs who has the biggest chance of having either a prequel or spinoff. It is also possible that the spinoffs may also include the character of Kurt Russell’s Mr. Nobody because it is full of mystery.
There is also the possibility of having a spinoff to feature the Shaw brothers, Owen and Deckard, played by Luke Evans and Jason Statham, respectively, who are obviously big action stars themselves.
Some others are also suggesting a spinoff story about Han Seoul-Oh, played by Korean actor Sung Kang, and Giselle Harabo, played by Gal Gadot, which is quite interesting as well.
The rest of the cast like Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce, and Ludacris as Tej, can certainly carry their own spinoff movies if given the opportunity.
Priority for casting
Another confirmation about the movie that was made recently by Diesel was the participation of British actress Helen Mirren.
Apparently, Diesel was able to work with Helen Mirren in his latest movie “The Last Witch Hunter” and he seems to like the idea of having her around for “Fast & Furious 8.”
It was also during the filming of “The Last Witch Hunter” when Helen broached to Vin the idea of her joining the “Fast & Furious” franchise because, in another interview, Vin said that Helen should be careful what she wished for as it appears that it would be granted soon, details Yibada.
Diesel said that Helen is on top of his list to join as a new cast member of “Fast & Furious 8” who was obviously speaking as one of the franchise producers. He added that all the rest of those who wish to be part of the franchise should fall in line after Helen, indicating his strong preference for the veteran British actress.
The ending of “Fast & Furious 7” saw Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, played by Cody Walker and some CGI on behalf of the late actor Paul Walker, racing down the side of the mountain to the tune of the song “One Last Ride” of Charlie Puth.
There is no better way to send off Paul Walker than that sentimental ending in “Fast & Furious 7” that had both the cast and the production team, as well as the fans who have watched the movie, quite teary-eyed.