Helen Mirren Confirms Role In Fast & Furious 8

While promoting her latest project, Eye in the Sky, Helen Mirren has confirmed she is joining the already massive cast of Fast & Furious 8.

“I like it to be serious. Of course, having said that I’m about to do Fast and Furious 8,” Mirren tells Elle, before adding, “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.”

When asked, for good measure, if she is confirming a role in Fast & Furious 8, Mirren solidified her involvement with the global franchise by simply saying, “Yes, I am.”

While details of Mirren’s role in the film, including her character’s name and relationship to the franchise heroes like Dom and Letty, are still unknown, the actress is hoping to get behind the wheel of some fast cars with this opportunity. “I’ve always rather loved driving,” she explains. “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. Film is a wonderful thing and it can be so many different things. I don’t want to turn my back on any of the different ways movies can be. I love the movies. I love going to the films. I like very serious films, I love foreign films, and I love big, fun movies–as long as they’re well made and they’ve got good scripts. That’s the most important thing.”

Mirren joins a cast of both returning and new stars of the franchise. Diesel, Michele Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Jackson, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, and Kurt Russell are all returning to their roles with Charlize Theron, Kristofer Hivju, Scott Eastwood. Fast 8 is directed by F. Gary Gray and is currently in the midst of production.

Fast & Furious 8 is set for release on April 14, 2017.