'Fast & Furious 8' Release Date & Cast Rumors: Jason Statham, Eva Mendes, Zhang Ziyi & More Stars Who May Star in Movie

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The eighth installment of the popular movie franchise "Fast & Furious" is set to be released on April 14, 2017, as noted by Entertainment Weekly. Actors Jason Statham and Vin Diesel will be reprising their roles in the next movie.

Following the big success of "Fast and Furious 7", Diesel will be returning to his role as Dominic Toretto, while Jason Statham will be back as Deckard Shaw for "Furious 8."

Director James Wan, who directed the seventh movie will also be returning to direct the new film. It has been revealed by Diesel that the new story will be set in New York City.

According to Metro, the two will be joined by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Eva Mendes, Michelle Rodriguez, and Kurt Russell.

Although Mendes has been doing cameo roles for the franchise since the second movie, "2 Fast and 2 Furious," she will be reprising her role from "Fast & Furious 6." According to the report, it is rumored that Mendes' character, undercover agent Monica Fuentes, will come between the romance of Dominic Toretto (played by Diesel) and Letty Ortiz (played by Rodriguez).

Russell will reportedly reprise his role as Mr. Nobody for the eighth movie. There are rumors as well that Cody Walker, who played late Paul Walker's body double will also return.

According to Yibada, the new movie will also feature superstar Zhang Ziyi. The report states that there have been no Asians cast in the main roles of the movies, so adding the Chinese actress would be "interesting."

Zhang is known for her martial arts movie roles in films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "House of Flying Daggers." The "Fast and Furious" franchise is centered on illegal car chasing and racing, and how they would incorporate Zhang's martial arts moves in the new film would be intriguing.

As for the plot, Statham revealed that it will be great.

"I'm a newcomer. I just got invited to the party in this last one, so it's nice to know I'm going to be doing another," Statham told Access Hollywood. 

When asked for more details regarding the plot, Statham said he couldn't divulge anything, but cryptically said, "there is some great stuff that I already know about."

"Furious 7" stars were recently spotted at Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday for the opening of the new "Fast & Furious -Supercharged" ride.