'Fast and Furious 8' sequel cast rumors: Eva Mendes, Helen Mirren and Lucas Black?

Eva MendesWikipedia

Fast and Furious 7 is still in theaters and continues to rack in top grossing revenue. The emotional film was Paul Walker's last appearance but from the looks of it, a Fast and Furious 8 will happen.

There has been no official confirmation just yet but with the movie breaching the $500 million mark, it seems only logical to look forward to another gathering which may be tweaked a bit. Word has it that a former character, Monique Fuentes (Eva Mendes), could be re-inserted into the mix.

Mendes appeared in 2 Fast 2 Furious as a US Customs Agent and love interest of the deceased Paul Walker. Rumors are now afloat that the Universal may include Mendes for the next installment which will reportedly be set in New York City.

Another character that could be inserted is Helen Mirren who made it known that she would love to be part of the movie. Though it remains how the producers would fit her in, Mirren may just get her wish.

With Walker out, it seems that the producers are looking at previous Fast and Furious characters to reprise. Mendes is one so it remains to be seen who else could be inserted to pick up the slack left by Walker who died in a horrific car crash in 2013.

Though there is no report on who would take his place, one character that comes to mind is Lucas Black who played Sean Boswell in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift. One would think that he could be a logical choice considering he has ties with Han and of course Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel).

Aside from the team, Kurt Russel will reportedly be returning for the eighth installment. This was revealed by Vin Diesel himself who said that Russell's character was really intended to come out in the Fast and Furious 8.

And while we are talking about new cast members, there is one who may not return.

Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson is an uncertain returnee seeing that his contract with Universal is on film-by-film basis. Thus, Johnson could opt (or not) to return but with the producers said to be moving away from his character, the Rock may not be back for another run.

With the hoopla that Fast and Furious 7 has created, it seems only normal to hear about an eighth installment. The details may be sketchy at this point. However the thought alone of knowing that Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and the rest of the gang will come back is enough to address fans' wishes of seeing another fast-paced and action-packed movie.