'Fast and Furious 8' release date, cast news: Spin-offs in the works; Helen Mirren and Matt Damon to join cast?

"Fast and Furious 8" is set to race into cinemas on April 14, 2017. Fast & Furious/Official Facebook Page

The "Fast and Furious" series is one of the most successful franchises in the film industry, grossing over $3 billion combined in worldwide ticket sales. And with the new addition to the franchise, "Fast and Furious 8," it looks like that number is going to get higher.

Several actors have already confirmed their return to the film, including Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Jason Statham.

Diesel previously teased English actress Helen Mirren's participation in the film, in an interview with MTV news. If it turns out to be true, it would be quite exciting to see what role the Academy Award winner will play and her chemistry with the other characters.

But Mirren isn't the only Academy Award winner "Furious 8" is eyeing.

In an interview with the Toronto Sun, Gibson apparently wants Matt Damon to be in the sequel, too. "There is definitely a number eight, yeah! And I want Matt Damon to join us," he professed.

But even if Mirren and Damon don't turn up for the racing sequel, there definitely be another chance.

Diesel, who is also serving as the film's producer, told Variety that there will definitely be more films to come. "Furious 8" is reportedly the first of a trilogy that will close the franchise. So fret not, because fans will have a lot more to look forward to--including spin-offs and prequels.

"We've written out story lines for various characters," explained Diesel. "We've been playing with it for a long time. It's a very rich property and we're committed to treating it with a lot of class."

It is unclear which characters will be featured in the planned films, but fans of the franchise will surely have a lot to look forward to. It looks like "Fast and Furious" will soon establish its own cinematic universe, following in the footsteps of superhero genres.

"Fast and Furious 8" is set to race into cinemas on April 14, 2017.

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