'Fast and Furious 8' to cast Indian actress Deepika Padukone?

Deepika Padukone in Happy New Year (2014) Yash Raj Films

Very little information has thus been released regarding "Fast and Furious 8" following the announcement of F. Gary Gray as director. However, according to a report from Enstarz, there are now rumblings that popular Indian actress Deepika Padukone may be cast in the film.

The rumors began when Padukone posted an image via Instagram where she was together with actor Vin Diesel. Displayed in the background is an image of the "xXx" logo, a franchise in which Diesel was a part of in the early 2000s. Diesel later posted another image with Padukone in his account, further implying they would work together.

At first it was presumed that the images hint that Vin Diesel was returning to the "xXx" franchise and that Padukone would be the film's leading lady. However, up to this point, the studios have yet to confirm that the film has been greenlit.

With that being said, Diesel's only other big project at the moment is "Fast and Furious 8" and it is likely that this tease indicates Padukone will be joining the ever-expanding cast. 

Speaking with BollywoodLife, Padukone responded to the rumors but her statement neither confirms or denies any of the speculations.

"You will know soon," she explained to the outlet. "He is a friend. And he is someone I am extremely fond of. And more than anything else, he is an amazing person. But about everything else that everyone wants to know, you will know soon."

Due to the way the previous film in the franchise ended, it is highly speculated that Jordana Brewster's character, Mia Toretto, will not play a significant role in "Fast and Furious 8" and her position in the team might be filled now by Padukone if she is indeed being cast in the film and not a potential "xXx" sequel.

"Fast and Furious 8" is scheduled to release on April 14, 2017.

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