Hollywood – Fans of the Fast and Furious franchise, got their first and much-anticipated glimpse of the eight installments today, by the release of the first official trailer.

The action movie will be distributed by Universal Pictures like the previous ones. The series of films started back in 2001 and six sequels and two short films that tie into the series. Is Universal´s biggest franchise as of May 2015 when the last one, Fast & Furious 7, premiered and one of the most successful action film franchises from Hollywood.

The action movie will be distributed by Universal Pictures like the previous ones. Photo credit: The Quint
The action movie will be distributed by Universal Pictures like the previous ones. Photo credit: The Quint

The plot has its center around the elite street racer and ex-convict Dominic Toretto, portrayed by famous actor Vin Diesel, and the life of the car races and everything that happens around it like crimes and fights. The success of the films is credited for opening up an entirely new market for racing-based action-adventure movies. Many other filmmakers and producers have tried to replicate the success of the Furious franchise, time and again, with films like Death Race in 2008 and Need for Speed two years ago.

Some faces come back, some will be seen for the first time

This long film, stars Vin Diesel again who comes in good company. Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez Ludacris, Lucas Black, Scott Eastwood, Kurt Russell, Jason Statham, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Helen Mirren and Charlize Theron complete the action-packed ensemble. Theron is taking on Cipher, described as a Hannibal Lecter-kind of villain. She will be leading a femme fatale team. It is rumored that Ruby Rose and Cara Delevingne will be joining the squad.

Fast and Furious 8 is going to be directed by F. Gary Gray, who is a new addition to the team and is known for directing high profile films like Straight Outta Compton, Set It Off, The Negotiator and the remake of The Italian Job.

This will be the second installment not to feature Paul Walker. Walker died in a car accident three years ago on November 30, while Fast & Furious 7 was being shot. That chapter of the saga received rave review mainly because of the tribute it did to the late actor through the official soundtrack single, See You Again, performed by rapper Wiz Khalifa featuring pop singer Charlie Puth. The song went on to receive Grammy and Golden Globes nominations.

Casually, both leading actors, Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, are acting opposite two Bollywood actors respectively in major Hollywood films next year. Dwayne is acting with Priyanka Chopra in Baywatch, and Vin Diesel is acting alongside Deepika Padukone in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

The seventh movie, deemed as The Fate of The Furious, goes back to New York City. The films have previously taken place everywhere from Brazil to Tokyo and Los Angeles. Besides The Big Apple, the shooting took place in Mývatn, Iceland; Havana, Cuba; Atlanta, Georgia; Cleveland, Ohio; and Atlanta, Georgia. A full theatrical trailer is expected to drop tomorrow, December 12th. The movie is scheduled to be released in cinemas on 14 April 2017.

Rumors swirling around indicate this is bound to be the last installment of the franchise.

Source: Hindustan Times