Recent reports indicate that action star Jason Statham will be returning for his second "Fast and Furious" casting appearance in the upcoming "Fast and Furious 8."
Statham's name has appeared on the credited cast list of IMDB, bringing him back as Deckard Shaw, the villain in the seventh film who sought revenge after the team of independent specialist team took down his brother, Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans).
It is unconfirmed whether Statham's character will remain the main antagonist or a supporting role to introduce continuity to the storyline. The last "Fast and Furious" film ended with Shaw taunting Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and implying plans to escape the maximum security facility he is placed in, which means that his return in "Fast and Furious 8" was almost predictable.
Other cast members set to return include Vin Diesel, Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris.
It was previously rumoured that the character of Brian O'Conner would still be in the eight film. "Paul won't be in it, but he'll be represented in some form or another but whether his image is in it," NBC Universal vice-chairman Ron Meyer said in an interview with Variety. "I can't tell you yet, but he won't be in the film as a performer, as an actor, the way we did it last time. It will still be 'Fast and Furious,' it will just be without Paul."
It is believed that this could either mean that Paul's brother Cody Walker, would come back again to play Brian O'connor with the help of CGI effects teams to attach Paul's face again, or that the eighth instalment would introduce a new character whose aura and character would match O'connor's.
Diesel also previously stated that he hopes to see his "The Last Witch Hunter" co-star Helen Mirrenis in the line-up of cast for "Fast 8." He also hopes to work withIndian actress Deepika Padukone.
"Fast and Furious 8" is to be directed by F. Gary Gray, and is set to hit screens on April 15, 2017.
