Scott Eastwood Wants To Make Paul Walker Proud, Joins Cast Of ‘Fast 8’
Just a year before the release of the next installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, a new actor has been tapped to join the star-studded cast, and he’s paying tribute to the late Paul Walker.
American actor and model Scott Eastwood has just made it official through his Facebook and Instagram accounts that he will join Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Statham in Fast 8, the eighth installment of the action-packed franchise.
“It’s hard to put into words how excited I am for the next Fast & Furious,” wrote Eastwood, 30, on his social media account. “To me, the series is so much more than just a franchise. It’s a legacy.”
In addition to confirming his role for the film, Eastwood also gave a touching tribute to his friend, Paul Walker, who died in a tragic car accident in 2013. The Suicide Squad actor posted his humble tribute on social media as well.
“Paul was a close friend of mine,” he said in the post. “We surfed together, traveled together, and he was a huge role model and influencing figure in my life when I was younger. He still is,” he added.
The actor also shared that Paul Walker, who played the role of Brian O’Connor in the film franchise, was like an older brother to him. The fact that he will now be a part of the Fast & Furious story and family is a “dream come true.”
The matinee-idol-looking actor also thanked Diesel for supporting him.
“Vin – thank you for the support and the insight,” he wrote on his social media account. “Paul – I am going to make you proud.”
Scott Eastwood On ‘Fast 8’ Role: “I’m Going To Make Paul Walker Proud” https://t.co/5LZQv5h4f9 #F8
— Gossip Cop (@GossipCop) April 12, 2016
Scott Eastwood also made some references to his new role in the film, although he did not mention any details. He also expressed his excitement to work with veteran actor, Kurt Russell, who will reprise his role as Mr. Nobody.
“Now I can’t say too much, but I get to play a new character who operates under Kurt Russell,” he said.
Scott Eastwood will play a trainee working under Kurt Russell’s character Mr. Nobody in #Fast8! pic.twitter.com/1Ib5BgpdD2
— MovieTickets.com (@MovieTickets) April 12, 2016
Russell’s role is still relatively unknown in the F&F story, although it is apparent that he will play a role in the lives of Diesel’s crew.
Eastwood also said that it is an incredible experience, considering that Russell was his childhood hero growing up. He expressed his excitement over the idea of learning new things from such an “original and cool guy.”
Eastwood is not new in the action film genre, especially since his father, actor-director Clint Eastwood, was a well-known action movie actor during his time. Scott has also had his fair share of action flicks, including Gran Torino, Dawn Patrol, and Fury.
Scott Eastwood Stars with his Father in ‘Gran Torino’
Another star who is set to join the Fast 8 cast is Charlize Theron, whose Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road definitely introduced her to what F&F is all about. Her role earned her a spot as a major character in the F&F story.
The Fast & Furious Twitter page even gave away hints on Theron’s role, which is not just a villain in the upcoming film, but the crew’s “greatest adversary.”
F8 will be released in theaters on April 14, 2017, and will be directed by F. Gary Gray, and written by Chris Morgan. The eighth film will feature events following what happened in Furious 7, although this time around it may be safe to say that Walker’s character will no longer make an appearance.
Other members of the cast include Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Lucas Black, Eva Mendes, and Ludacris. This list may not be complete, as the film is still in its pre-production stages.
[Photos by Mark Mainz, Mike Windle/Getty Images]
