EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures has closed Charlize Theron to star in Furious 8, which director F. Gary Gray and producer Neal Moritz move into production next month for April 14, 2017 release. Theron, who’s coming off a memorable action turn in Mad Max: Fury Rose, will play a new character in the blockbuster franchise. She’ll join returning stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and the rest of the gang. Chris Morgan wrote the script. This should excited fans of a franchise which continually adds showy actors to the ensemble and is coming off its biggest grossing installment to date. Theron has always worked well in the action genre, and she starred for Gray in the 2003 hit remake of The Italian Job. Theron, whom Deadline wrote is in the early stages of reteaming with her Young Adult compadres director Jason Reitman and scribe Diablo Cody, is repped by WME and lawyered by Steve Warren.

Universal in Fast 8 is introducing an exciting new character played by Scott Eastwood, the son of Clint Eastwood. This just went down, and he will join another newcomer to the franchise in Charlize Theron, the Mad Max: Fury Road heroine who made her deal last week.

The Fast & Furious team has excelled in adding juicy new parts to an already humming franchise engine, from Tyrese Gibson to Dwayne Johnson to most recently Jason Statham in last year’s tentpole hit Fast 7. That comes as the franchise dealt with the tragic death of Paul Walker in a car crash, which came while Fast 7 was in production.

Eastwood and Theron are now buckled in as director F. Gary Gray and producer Neal Moritz move into production next month with franchise regulars including Vin Diesel, Johnson, Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese and others in the mix. Chris Morgan wrote the script, and a release date of April 14, 2017 has been set.

It’s the latest big-deal pic for Eastwood, who will be seen starring in the ensemble of the David Ayer-directed Suicide Squad, which Warner Bros releases August 5. He also appears in the Oliver Stone-directed Snowden, which Open Road releases September 16. He most recently came aboard Crown Vic, a gritty, futuristic cop thriller he will star in with Alec Baldwin that Joel Souza wrote and will direct. That plot revolves around two LAPD officers navigating through their own personal turmoil while hunting down a couple of vicious cop killers.

Eastwood is repped by UTA and Joanne Horowitz Management.

Now I can’t say too much, but I get to play a new character who operates under Kurt Russell in the movie, which is incredible, because Kurt was a total childhood hero of mine growing up. Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy.

scotteastwood

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.

Now I can’t say too much, but I get to play a new character who operates under Kurt Russell in the movie, which is incredible, because Kurt was a total childhood hero of mine growing up. Very much looking forward to learning a thing or two from such an original and cool guy.

Paul was a close friend of mine. 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.

Gary Gray and Neal Moritz - I can’t wait to get started and dive in. Vin - thank you for the support and the insight. Paul - I am going to make you proud.
#F8

Vin Diesel

This week has been an intense one... working with the oscar winner, Charlize Theron has been such a rich and gratifying experience. Cipher, her character, is forcing Dom in to a place we have not seen. I first imagined her joining Our saga back in 2012 when we were filming Fast 6 in London, but life has a way of dictating when your vision is manifested... and this chapter proves to be the perfect time. What is surreal is that Our kids have play dates while we are on set doing some of the most emotionally arduous scenes in the franchise.

Wait until you meet Cipher, of all her films you have never seen this character she has created... She has truly brought her A game to this saga and we are all grateful for it.