The family just got a little bit bigger as Vin Diesel has announced that EGOT winner Rita Moreno (West Side Story; The King and I) has joined the cast of Fast X.
She's set to play the grandmother of Dominic (Diesel), Mia (Jordana Brewster), and Jakob Toretto (John Cena); although the extent of her role is to-be-determined. However, it seems like a pretty safe bet that we will likely see her behind the wheel at one point or another.
Diesel shared the news on his personal Instagram, saying, “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno, and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile. I am so blessed.” Moreno then added, “You know what…I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me. Isn’t that nice? And I’m here—and the answer is yes, I’ll do it, and yes, not only do it. I’m tickled. I’m so thrilled. This is going to be such fun!”
She joins a cast headlined by Vin Diesel, who returns as Dom Toretto, with a familiar supporting cast consisting of Michelle Rodriguez as Letty Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson as Roman Pearce, Ludacris as Tej Parker, Jordana Brewster as Mia Toretto, Sung Kang as Han Seoul-Oh, Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey, John Cena as Jakob Toretto, Lucas Black as Sean Boswell, Cardi B as Leysa, Scott Eastwood as Little Nobody, Charlize Theron as Cipher, Helen Mirren as Queenie Magdalene Ellmanson-Shaw, and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw.
Academy Award-winner Brie Larson (Captain Marvel; The Marvels), Jason Momoa (Aquaman; Dune), Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad; The Payback), and Alan Ritchson (Reacher; Titans) have all joined the cast in new roles, with Momoa reportedly set to play the villain.
Louis Letterier (The Incredible Hulk; Now You See Me) has taken over directing duties, after franchise mainstay Justin Lin exited the project due to creative differences with Diesel and the studio. They will still be using the script penned by Lin and Dan Mazeau.
Plot details are unknown, but the film is expected to be the thrilling first half of a sure-to-be epic two-part finale.
Fast X is slated to race into theaters on May 19, 2023; while the final chapter in the saga, the untitled Fast & Furious 11, is tentatively scheduled to arrive in February 2024.