Vin Diesel Says Fast 8 Could Get Oscars Attention

Director F. Gary Gray's Straight Outta Compton was favorably recognized by the general public and critics alike, but many felt it was snubbed by the Oscars. According to actor Vin Diesel, Gray is channeling some of that snubbing into his current film, Fast and Furious 8.

Diesel is currently promoting his new film Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, but took some time out to talk to EW about Fast and Furious 8, and specifically the additional intensity that Gray has brought to the project.

"For as bizarre as that might be, he's definitely going to get his comeuppance. As crazy as that might sound, as he really should have been acknowledged for Straight Outta Compton, I think he went into making this movie with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, going 'Oh, really? Ok. Now I'm going to take the biggest saga in the world, and I'm about to throw Oscars at you. Wait till you see what he does!"

Gray is bringing his A-game with this Fast 8, but Diesel also spoke of the darker tone the newest entry employs.

"Fast 8 is different. It's very dark," Diesel explained. "My character is conflicted in a way that is really going to shock you. He's coming off of a lot of emotion from 7 and the loss that 7 represents."

Fans will get their first real glimpse at what Diesel is referring to when the official trailer drops in December.

"December 11, every screen in Times Square will be playing the trailer, and it's going to hit you like a ton of bricks," Diesel promised. "Everything is going to make sense."

Fast and Furious 8 rolls into theaters on April 14, 2017. Fast and Furious 9 hits on April 19, 2019, and Fast and Furious 10 hits theaters on April 2, 2021.