It looks like Jason Stratham might be getting a little help breaking out of jail in Universal's next Fast & Furious 8, in the form of British Dame Helen Mirren. According to the latest gossip news reports, executive producer Vin Diesel is more than happy to cast the Hollywood icon, who stated publicly that she wanted a part in the franchise, as his new supervillain. Word has it that it's also been all but confirmed that Ryan Gosling's girlfriend, Eva Mendes, will also be joining the crew on the side of the good guys, of course.
While it has been rumored for a several months that Eva Mendes was in talks with Universal to reprise her 2 Fast 2 Furious role, it is now being reported that her involvement it almost a done deal.
According to their supposedly super-legit source, We Got This Covered claims that Mendes' joining the Fast and Furious 8 familia is, "pretty much a sure thing."
Vin Diesel also made it crystal clear recently that Helen Mirren would be more than welcome as Fast 8's new villain, after the celebrated English actress publicly campaigned for a spot on the franchise.
During a conversation with Seth Myers earlier this year, Mirren admitted that -- truth be told -- she is more interested in teaming up with Vin Diesel than she is actually making any Fast films (via People):
"Well...I mean, I am a huge fan of Vin Diesel.
"It came from me watching him make a speech once at some ceremony, and he was so smart and so funny and so cool.
"And I just sort of fell a little bit in love with him right there and then."
Helen went on to lament in the Late Night interview that although she very much admired him, she doubted that Vin even knew he she was, but Diesel told Access Hollywood that not only was he aware of her iconic career, he would love nothing more than to have Mirren in his new Fast movie:
"I love Helen Mirren. Get your act together, Helen! I love you!
"Of course I would [want her cast in Fast 8]! Who wouldn't?
"It's Helen. Amazing...Tell her I said so."
With any luck, Fast & Furious 8 will be every bit as successful as its billion dollar predecessor.
