'Fast 8' News: Late 'Fast & Furious' Star Paul Walker Will Play A Part In The Film, NBC Boss Reveals

By Jackie Villegas, Christian Post Contributor Saturday, January 23, 2016

Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto in the popular "The Fast and The Furious" franchise, recently unveiled the first official poster and the title of the eighth installment of the action/racing series of films, which will reportedly be called "Fast 8." An Instagram photo posted by Diesel also showed the film's tagline, "New Roads Ahead," and indicated that the latest "Fast & Furious" film will be set primarily in New York City.

Apart from all these details about "Fast 8," fans of the hit franchise also have something else to look forward to. Last year, NBC Universal Vice-Chairman Ron Meyer talked to Variety about the upcoming film and revealed that it will have several flashback scenes featuring the "Fast & Furious" lead character Brian Connor, who was played by the late actor Paul Walker.

"Paul won't be in it, but he'll be represented in some form or another," the NBC boss said.

It should also be noted that the "Fast 8" tagline "New Roads Ahead," may signify the new direction that the film will reportedly be taking, in accordance with the late actor's wishes. Speaking to People from the UNITAS Gala Against Sex Trafficking red carpet in September last year, Michelle Rodriguez, who plays Letty Ortiz in the films, said, "[Paul] wanted to bring it back down to the core, which is racing." She added: "He was always complaining about the special effects and the blue screens."

Explaining that the forthcoming installment will serve as a tribute to Walker, Rodriguez revealed that the new film will have fewer "exaggerated explosions and crazy plot lines" and will, instead, try to stay "true to Paul's wishes."

It has been reported that F. Gary Gray, who is helming "Fast 8," intends on taking the film in a fresh direction and will, as he said, "make sure the audience feels like it's not more of the same."

"Fast 8" drops April 14, 2017.