Over the last few years, a new trend has emerged where actors have started to actually land the roles they’ve been actively campaigning for in the press. After mentioning his desire to playGambitin numerous interviews,Channing Tatumwas actually cast asGambitin 20th Century Fox’s new spinoff, which starts filming later this year. Last year, Oscar WinnerHelen Mirrenrevealed it’s her “grand ambition” to star in aFast & Furiousmovie as a “mad driver,” and earlier this year, it was confirmed that she actually has joined the cast ofFast and Furious 8. Unfortunately, the actress recently confirmed that she won’t be doing any actual driving.
The actress confirmed she had joinedFast 8in an interview last month, where she revealed that she only agreed to star in the movie if they would let her drive. The actress is quite the skilled driver, having appeared on an episode of the U.K. seriesTop Gearwhere she posted an impressive lap time. In a new interview withEntertainment Weekly, the actress revealed that she sadly won’t be getting behind the wheel inFast & Furious 8.
“I wanted to be driving, but unfortunately, I’m not. Maybe that will come in the future, in Fast and Furious 12. I’m probably one of the few people on the set who know how to drive a gear shift car. I doubtThe Rockknows. But I do. I know how to double declutch.”
Shortly afterHelen Mirren’s interview last year, franchise starVin Dieselteased thatHelen Mirrenis “on the list” forFast & Furious 8, adding “Be careful what you wish for, Helen.” While her involvement has been confirmed, it still isn’t known what character she’s playing, but she added that she’ll only be on set for one day, while revealing how nervous she is to join this cast that has been together through seven hit movies. Here’s what she had to say below.
“I’m very nervous because when you’re going on to a set with people who have been doing this for [so long], basically, they all know each other, they’ve worked together, they know what they’re doing. I’ll be, you know, the newcomer, the newbie. I’ve only got one day, and I’ll probably f- it up, oh God. think they’ll be nice to me. I hope they’ll be nice to me.”
Universal Pictures has already confirmed thatFast 8will be the beginning of the final trilogy, withFast & Furious 9hitting theaters on August 19, 2025 andFast & Furious 10closing out the blockbuster franchise on July 06, 2025. Although we don’t know who she’s playing, it’s possible thatHelen Mirrencould come back in the final two movies, and live out her dream of being a “mad driver” as the franchise comes to an end. Stay tuned for more onFast 8as production continues.
